Describes the design and construction of a unique facility at the Joint Centre for Energy Management at a Colorado university for testing complete, full-sized HVAC systems and their control systems for commercial buildings. The principal focus is experimental measurement of the dynamic behaviour of building energy systems, including building dynamics, HVAC system performance and control system operation. States that the facility is unique in permitting the study of entire systems in a controlled, dynamic environment, providing repeatable conditions hitherto unavailable. Presents example test results to indicate the types of test that can be carried out at this facility.

KEYWORDS: Testing, controls, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, USA, performance, laboratory testing, measuring, non steady state.