Editorial

摘要

This issue of Facilities presents six papers that focus on sustainability and energy conservation efforts in buildings. A study by Yu aims to determine if the operation of chiller systems in subtropical regions accounts for increased electrical consumption. The researcher investigated and analyzed current efficiencies of chillers and pumps in an institutional building in Hong Kong, and compared input and output variables using the system coefficient of performance. The fine-tuning of specific temperature variables resulted in an almost 15 percent energy savings, while the existing technical efficiency of the facility was found to be 0.85. The study looked at the adjustment of input variables as identified by the coefficient of performance and predicted by the data envelopment analysis. This study demonstrates a systematic method that can be used to evaluate energy effectiveness of a chiller system, and to identify energy management opportunities involving little or no capital investment.