Computerized energy management systems (EMSs) are useful, not just for automatic control building systems, but they can also serve as valuable tools for monitoring and testing the performance of specific components. The overall strategy and examples of the use of the remote monitoring and testing capabilities of EMSs are presented in this paper. Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment under proportional/integral/derivative (PID) control tested and characterized for two commercial buildings without traveling to the building sites. Several problems encountered in using EMSs for these purposes are identified together with proposed’or proved solutions. None of the problems is insurmountable, and the results show that the remote monitoring and communications capabilities of EMSs are valuable tools for providing and maintaining improved building environmental control at lower cost and time commitment.

Units: Dual