Engineering analysis and responsibility involves not only the consideration of pertinent technical factors, but also the econmics of owning and operating different types of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and systems. During the last ten years, the rising cost of energy has helped to emphasize the fact that engineering decisions should consider the operating.as well as the initial costs for HVAC systems.

Technical Committee 1.8, Owning and Operating Costs, is charged with the responsibility of updating Chapter 45 - Life Cycle Costs in the 1980 ASHRAE Systems Handbook and Product Directory, As part of this committee's continuing effort to present up-to-date sources of reference data for this chapter, a work statement for this project was developed. The objectives of this project are as follows:

a) Determine if sufficient data sources exist to establish "real world" maintenance costs for HVAC systems (referred to in this report as HVAC maintenance cost data, HVAC/MCD) and identify these sources generically, i.e. contractors, plant owners, etc.;

b) For data sources which are located, examine the data for its format and completeness;

c) Specify minimum number of geographic regions and sources within those regions necessary to provide an acceptable sample and indicate types of service by extent demanded by owners;

d) Assuming feasibility, provide an estimated budget figure for the subject technical research project and produce a detailed procedure for the preparation of a work statement.