The Effect of Building Geometry on Energy Use

摘要

Energy service companies (ESCOs) use the energy use index (EUI) as a tool to evaluate a building's potential for reduction in energy use. Select Energy Services, Inc. (SESI) has found that consideration of building geometry is useful in evaluating a building's potential for energy use reduction. Building load and energy-use simulations using Trace~(~R) and PowerDOE~(~R), respectively, were conducted to gain insight into how building geometry impacts heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) sizing and energy use. The ratio of gross wall area to gross floor area, A_(wall)/A_(floor), has been found to be a useful factor to consider when making EUI comparisons. Simulations suggest that buildings with higher A_(wall)/A_(floor). ratios require higher central plant capacities and use more energy per unit area to satisfy the heating and cooling loads. Taking a building's geometry (A_(wall)/A_(floor)) into account while estimating savings potential may produce more accurate results.