RP-1237 developed an interactive Web-based database focusing on equipment service life and annual maintenance costs for a variety of building types and HVAC systems. An interactive Web-based database provides the best prospects for collecting and analyzing a potentially unlimited source of data.

This report documents the results and accomplishments of the research project. The report begins with a discussion of the motivation for this project. It then reviews the source search, presents the data collection instrument and describes the data collection process. Next, the report profiles the seed-building group before presenting and discussing the service life data and maintenance cost findings. The conclusion provides implications for the ASHRAE Handbook chapter and recommendations for future updates.

The report also provides a reference list, a bibliography, and five appendices. The appendices include a copy of the full data collection instrument, the pick lists and equipment descriptions, a layout of the database table structure, and an example illustrating the service life analysis methodology.

View the executive summary.