Retrofit project trains and learns from occupants to boost energy savings, improve IAQ in neoclassic office building.

Describes how engineers retrofitted a modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, controls and other energy saving modifications into a neoclassic 19th century building. The problems involved preserving the building's appearance, working while the occupants were present and difficulties in modifying occupant behaviour by means of memoranda to instruct them about how to produce maximum energy savings and indoor environmental comfort. Review of a paper 'Energy retrofit of a neoclassic office building - social aspects and lessons learned' by C Balaras, published in ASHRAE Transactions, 2001, Vol 107, Pt 1. Personal contact was found to be the most effective method of training occupants to use the air conditioning system correctly.