Before any practical work is initiated it is strongly recommended for the property owner/client to clarify the preconditions for the energy refurbishment project to be carried out. It is important to be aware and think through the following questions:

• What are the general prerequisites for carrying out energy saving measures in the building in question? Is there information available about how the energy is used, e.g. heating, electrical energy for building operation, the tenant´s use of electrical energy, cooling?
• What is the property owner’s/client’s aim and expectations? Is the aim of the renovation to improve energy performance only or will it be combined with general upgrade of the building?
• What is the economic strategy and situation of the property owner’s/client’s company and how could possible energy measures be financed?
• How will the exchange of information and spread of knowledge be ensured between those involved, for example, the tenants, maintenance staff, managers, consultants and contractors?
• How and by whom will the follow-up be carried out and how is future maintenance and operational work ensured?

Normally, the property owner’s/client’s personnel supply the major part of the basic information, as they know where this information is to be found or can, reasonably easily, find out where it is. The checklist below can help when gathering this information. However, in practice, not all the information described in these checklists is readily available. Nonetheless, a clear and comprehensive picture should be strived for with regard to:

• The building.
• How the building is used.
• Indoor climate requirements.
• The technical systems
• The energy use.

Background information needed about the building

In Step 1 the energy consultant needs to gather all relevant background information about the building. The aim is to establish the current status of the buildings as well as evaluate all possible energy efficiency improvement measures. ‘

Normally, the property owner’s/client’s personnel supply the major part of the basic information, as they know where this information is to be found or can, reasonably easily, find out where it is. The checklist below can help when gathering this information. However, in practice, not all the information described in these checklists is readily available. Nonetheless, a clear and comprehensive picture should be strived for with regard to:

• The building and its function
• Current status of the building construction
• Indoor climate requirements
• Current status of the technical systems
• Energy and resource use of the building

A template for gathering basic information about the property is available in the Total Concept tool-kit.