US Patent 7599815 Building management performance indexing and control

A method for measuring compliance with building air quality attribute set points. The method includes the steps of sensing a first attribute of environmental air quality, setting a range of acceptable values for the first attribute, setting a penalty function for the first attribute and comparing sensed data to the first range of acceptable values. The first penalty function is applied as appropriate to assess a first set of points for the first attribute. An index value is created that is a function of the first set of points. In another aspect, the method includes sensing a second attribute, comparing the data against acceptable values and applying a second penalty function as appropriate. The index value is also a function of the second set of points. In yet another aspect, the method includes the step of sensing a first attribute at a second site.