Effective energy management programs rely upon readily accessible energy consumption information. This thesis presents a Lotus Symphony based microcomputer system developed to monitor, analyze, and report on energy usage for a select group of Virginia state facilities. A review of significant program routines and procedures is presented, along with key assumptions and limitations of the system, and example inputs and outputs. A User's Guide is also included to aid first-time users of Symphony and/or the Energy Monitoring and Reporting System (EMRS). Available system outputs, in the form of spreadsheet printouts and graphs, enable detailing energy consumption patterns for each facility by fuel type for any given year. The capability of outlining the progression of a facility's energy management program is provided by comparison of a given year's energy consumption records to the previous and base (FY 1985-86) years. In addition, facilities with similar operational characteristics were segregated into divisions, providing the capability to rank facilities within divisions based upon several energy consumption criteria. Extensive use of the Symphony Command (or Macro) Language permitted creation of customized, interactive menus, which allows those not familiar with Lotus Symphony to fully utilize the capabilities of the EMRS. / Master of Science

Six houses heated by passive solar energy were monitored during the 1983 - 1984 heating season to determine auxiliary heating fuel used. Predictions were made using the Solar Load Ratio (SLR) method for the expected use of auxiliary heating fuel. Comparisons were then made between actual performance and predicted performance. The SLR method is used for predictions because it is a widely used tool in the design of passive solar houses, and questions have been raised as to its usefulness as a predictor of auxiliary heating fuel consumption. Variables used in the SLR predictions and methodology for monitoring actual energy consumed are examined to explain differences in the predicted and monitored energy used. / Master of Architecture