There are two ways to edit building data: by uploading new data in the spreadsheet template or by editing data on the platform.
Using the Spreadsheet
Carbon Signal uses the Building Name as a unique identifier for each building. If you already have a building in your portfolio that has the same name as a building in your spreadsheet, you’ll have the option to update the existing building record with the new information when you upload the spreadsheet.
Selecting this option will create a new version of the building model based on the data in the spreadsheet. Using the spreadsheet is ideal for updating buildings in bulk.
Editing in the App
If you need to edit the data for a specific building, you can open the building details page (clicking on a row in the data table on the Buildings page will open up the details for a single building).
Building Info
On the Building info tab, you can edit general information about the building including the building name, size, tags, building type, and location. Editing the building size or location will likely trigger an update to the model, since this information is used in the calibration process.
Utility Data
You can edit the monthly utility data and emissions factors on the Utility data tab. Make sure to use the correct units - for both the energy use data and the emissions factors - when entering information. When the page is in edit mode, you’ll also have the ability to select whether Carbon Signal should automatically adjust the utility data if our models are unable to explain the observed patterns of monthly energy use. We generally recommend allowing Carbon Signal to make these adjustments, which help correct reporting errors and fill in missing information.
Model Refinement
Carbon Signal is designed to generate models from a minimal set of input data. However, if more information is available, we can incorporate that data into the model and reduce areas of uncertainty. Incorporating these priors is accomplished by answering the questions on the Model refinement tab. One of the questions, for example, relates to the lighting systems in the building. When the user indicates the type of lighting in the building, Carbon Signal translates that response into a range of input variables to evaluate in the calibration process. The entire model is adjusted to account for these changes to ensure the modeled energy use still lines up with the measured data.
