PNNL

Abstract

Recently, a small number of automated diagnostic tools for building systems have become commercially available. These tools distinguish themselves from analytic software and trouble-shooting tools by automating the actual process of reaching conclusions from empirical data. Their distinction is that they produce easily-used information from (raw) data. These tools can be contrasted with tools that provide assistance in diagnosis, for example, by plotting data in various ways so performance problems can be detected and diagnosed by a knowledgeable expert. The availability of such expertise is limited and applying it manually takes considerable time. Automation reduces the time required for performance-problem detection and the associated costs.