The iSERVcmb spreadsheet

The iSERVcmb Spreadsheet

The iSERVcmb approach is founded on understanding the interaction of the physical assets of a building, including its meters, services and the activities undertaken in the building. Benchmarks, ECOs and other guidance are derived wholly from data obtained from the operation of buildings, as HARMONAC showed that this was a major factor in persuading end users to act on their energy data.

To provide performance benchmarks, iSERVcmb requires details on the physical composition of buildings in terms of Utility Meters, Floor Areas, Activities undertaken and the Building Services components installed.

In iSERVcmb, an HVAC system is a virtual entity comprised of a series of physically described HVAC sub-components. This virtual entity is then attached to the spaces and activities it services within the building. An HVAC sub-component, for example a cold generator, can serve one or more such HVAC systems within a building depending on the arrangement of the services in that building. iSERVcmb handles all interactions between meters, component, activities and spaces once they are described in the iSERVcmb spreadsheet.

Figure 2 – iSERVcmb spreadsheet showing part of the data sought

The iSERVcmb spreadsheet is a free, standalone spreadsheet which provides the basic elements of iSERVcmb, from collection and collation of data on a building and its services, through to providing estimated benchmarks for the building and each system within it. Uploading the completed spreadsheet to the iSERVcmb HERO database will provide additional insights into the building, The spreadsheet is available in English, French, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Slovenian, Hungarian, Greek, Spanish and Danish.

The iSERVcmb spreadsheet has been endorsed by both CIBSE and REHVA as a means of collating the data needed to better understand HVAC systems in buildings, as well as being beneficial for mandatory Inspections. It is also now part of the UK’s Education Funding Agency’s process for new schools.

It can also be considered to be able to take the role of an asset register in which all building, HVAC component and utility meter assets are described and linked to each other.
Completing the spreadsheet for existing buildings was found to require a conservative time and cost investment of approximately €1/m2 based on the iSERVcmb experience.