The analysis of the data was used to identify:
- aggregate energy and water use
- average energy use (kWh/m²/yr)
- categories of non-residential buildings with the highest use of energy and water.
This answered the key research questions 1, 2 and 3.
The data collection for the aggregate survey was made up of three parts - a telephone survey, floor areas and billing records.
Telephone survey
In the telephone survey, occupants were asked about the building, its use and the occupants (see the telephone survey results).
Questions were asked about:
- business sector categories
- occupations
- building characteristics
- tenure status (owned or rented/leased)
- lease arrangements of tenants (if any)
- length of occupancy by the business
- building management arrangements
- typical occupancy patterns (weekdays and weekends)
- energy types used
- energy and water supply arrangements
- equipment and appliances.
Floor areas
Where necessary, a physical visit to the property enabled floor plans to be drawn up to confirm the property records in existence for the premises and confirm whether the use of the building meant it was eligible to take part.
Billing records
With written consent from the occupant(s), billing records were accessed to get information on reticulated energy and water consumption. Records were requested covering as long a time period as possible in order to understand seasonal variations and consumption patterns.
