CHAPTER 3
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

 The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the sustainable design

of Rinker Hall through life-cycle cost analysis of annual resource consumption hard cost

data. The two-fold aim of the study was 1.To establish a methodology for measuring

building "greenness" through use of hard cost data. and 2. To use a life-cycle cost

analysis of collected building performance data from three similar structures on the

campus to display improvements in building efficiency through sustainable design

efforts. The steps taken to carry out the aforementioned tasks are as follows

* A literature review was carried out on the history of "green building" and the
 associated economics. This was done with a two fold purpose; to determine the
 authenticity of the proposed study, and to gain increased knowledge of the topic.

* The required parameters to be analyzed were determined.

* Proper sources were identified from which to gather data.

* Data were collected for Rinker Hall, Anderson Hall, and Frazier-Rogers Hall.

* A building Life-cycle cost analysis was run on each of the three building's
 consumption of four major utilities; water, steam, chilled water and electricity.

* A final conclusion was reached based on the produced result.

 Parameters

 The characteristics which determine environmental attributes for the University of

Florida were determined through collecting data on monthly average temperature,

humidity, precipitation, and heating degree day calculations. This data helps to justify the

building comparison for use in similar climates. This particular study centers upon the