Energy signature

In mechanical engineering, energy signatures (also called change-point regression models) relate energy demand of buildings to climatic variables, typically ambient temperature.

[1] Also other climatic variables such as heating or cooling degree days are used.

[2] In most cases, heating or cooling building energy demand is analysed through energy signatures, but also hot water or electricity demand is considered.

[3] This assumption allows for balancing accuracy with computation time, as the estimation of energy demand through energy signatures is considerably faster than using building performance simulation software.

A crucial advantage of applying energy signatures is that no detailed information on the geometrical, construction, and operational characteristics of buildings needs to be available.