RD And D Opportunities for Large Air-Conditioning and Heat-Pump Systems. Final Report

摘要

This report summarizes the marketplace factors that constrain a more rapid implementation of energy-conserving heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and system operation in commercial buildings. Recommendations for technical and nontechnical research, design, and development (RD and D) opportunities which will assist and/or motivate this implementation were developed. The focus was on large air conditioning and heat pump equipment. Use of currently available energy-efficient equipment and systems is presently limited by the economic situation of the building owners. To date, increasing energy prices have not shown much potential for changing this situation. Although case histories of energy-efficient buildings (recent literature studies) highlight the potential of new and existing equipment and systems, the majority of systems and equipment being installed today does not measure up to that potential. The major recommendations of this study deal with developing the market for energy-efficient HVAC systems by (1) reversing existing market forces that promote energy consumption; (2) promoting technical research and educational programs covering application and operation of those systems; and (3) increasing the number of technical people competent in the area of high-efficiency system application and maintenance. Other recommendations deal with energy service, energy economics and the technical aspects of the systems, equipment, and controls. Included in this report are discussions pertaining to system and equipment, state-of-the-art energy conservation concepts, energy use and system cost comparison, building and air conditioning equipment populations, commercial energy use patterns, the effects of nontechnical constraints, and opportunities for RD and D. (ERA citation 07:054248)