In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill and Eric welcome Rachel Kaiser to discuss an often-overlooked yet critical topic: data integrity in HVAC and building performance. Rachel, who has a background in scientific research and data quality, shares insights into how the HVAC industry generates and manages data, why data integrity matters, and the risks of poor data management.

They explore real-world examples—from technicians misreporting measurements to the challenges of maintaining reliable combustion data—and discuss how digital tools can both help and hinder data integrity. Rachel breaks down key principles of data integrity using the ALCOA+ framework, which ensures data is attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, and accurate, along with being complete, consistent, enduring, and available.

The conversation touches on how connected tools, data logging, and digital advancements are reshaping HVAC, making accurate data more accessible while also increasing the need for awareness and best practices. If you've ever questioned how reliable your measurements are—or how much you can trust the data you work with—this episode is a must-listen!

Rachel on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-kaiser-416020288/

 

This episode was recorded in February 2025.