A method for achieving energy consumption goals for a heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system, the method comprising: monitoring a plurality of conditions of the HVAC system, while performing a heating step test of the HVAC system; monitoring the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system, while performing a free-float test of the HVAC system; monitoring the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system, while performing a cooling step test of the HVAC system; generating a simulation model of the HVAC system at least in part by, determining an envelope resistance parameter of the HVAC system based on the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system monitored during the tests, determining a thermal capacitance parameter of the HVAC system based on the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system monitored during the tests, determining a heating capacity parameter of the HVAC system based on the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system monitored during the tests, and determining a cooling capacity parameter of the HVAC system based on the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system monitored during the tests; generating a plurality of schedules of adjustments applicable to the HVAC system; retrieving a weather forecast; using the generated simulation model of the HVAC system and the retrieved weather forecast, and simulating the effect of the schedule of adjustments on a measure of energy consumption for each of the generated plurality of schedules of adjustments; identifying the schedule of adjustments of the plurality of schedules of adjustments with an optimal measure of energy consumption; and operating the HVAC system, based on the identified schedule of adjustments. monitoring a plurality of conditions of the HVAC system, while performing a heating step test of the HVAC system; monitoring the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system, while performing a free-float test of the HVAC system; monitoring the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system, while performing a cooling step test of the HVAC system; generating a simulation model of the HVAC system at least in part by, determining an envelope resistance parameter of the HVAC system based on the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system monitored during the tests, determining a thermal capacitance parameter of the HVAC system based on the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system monitored during the tests, determining a heating capacity parameter of the HVAC system based on the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system monitored during the tests, and determining a cooling capacity parameter of the HVAC system based on the plurality of conditions of the HVAC system monitored during the tests; generating a plurality of schedules of adjustments applicable to the HVAC system; retrieving a weather forecast; using the generated simulation model of the HVAC system and the retrieved weather forecast, and simulating the effect of the schedule of adjustments on a measure of energy consumption for each of the generated plurality of schedules of adjustments; identifying the schedule of adjustments of the plurality of schedules of adjustments with an optimal measure of energy consumption; and operating the HVAC system, based on the identified schedule of adjustments. <EOS>