METHODOLOGY FOR THE DETERMINATION OF POTENTIAL ENERGY SAVINGS IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

This paper describes a methodology to determine potential energy savings of buildings with limited information. This methodology is based upon the simplified energy analysis procedure of heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems and the control of comfort conditions. Numerically, the algorithm is a tailored, exhaustive search of all the independent variables that are commonly controlled for a specific type of AHU system. The potential energy savings methodology has been applied to several buildings that have been retrofitted and/or previously commissioned. Results from the measured savings for the Zachry Engineering Building (ZEC), of Texas A&M University, after being commissioned showed a close agreement to the calculated potential savings (~85%).