Provides an overview of the design and operation of a prototypical, computerised HVAC diagnostic and energy audit expert system package. The program was designed as a tool for consultants and energy auditors to identify methods of improving efficiency and reduce operating costs of HVAC and other energy-consuming systems in commercial and institutional buildings. The package is menu-driven and operates in the most common personal computer environment. It includes an expert system for selecting applicable energy conservation opportunities for a number of types of building, an expert system for diagnosing commercial building HVAC systems, a decision-analysis package for prioritising energy conservation options and a supervisory data base program. Provision has been made for the future addition of detailed economic analysis features and a building energy prediction module.

KEYWORDS: Expert systems, computer programs, energy auditing, energy conservation.