DA-76-01-4 -- Field Validation of Energy Calculation Procedure PDF

The Task Group on Energy Requirements (TGER) was formed to provide guidance to members of ASHRAE by developing fundamental data and establishing riigorous methodologies for predicting building energy requirements. This required the mathematical modeling of the dynamic thermal loads on the building, the response of the HVAC systems and the performanoe of all energy-consuming building oomponents. Verification of the theoretical models by field measurement of buildings in different geographioal locations was fundamental to the TGER charge.

Work stateme~ns outlining the proposed field validation studies were sent to qualified universities and research organizations in late 1967. Six out of the 14 organizations solicted gave favorable responses and members of the TGER examined most of the proposed buildings. An early conclusion of the Field Validation Subcommittee was that it was impractical to test large complex buildings.

The work statement outlined a 24-month program to:

1. Instrument the building to measure all time-variable inputs required for the calculation of heating and cooling loads, the response of the HVAC system to these loads, and the actual energy inputs to the various system components.
2. Predict the building load profiles and energy requirements for the building based on design weather data, construction details, internal and ventilation loads, and the simulated performance of the HVAC system using the proposed ASHRAE computer algorithms.
3. Record the instrumented data and periodically feed back this information to the computer to check the caloulated energy and load requirements with the actual measured values.
4. Recommend refinements to the oalculation procedure to improve its accuracy and reliability.

The first three items have been fulfilled by the TGER sponsored research, but refinements and simplifications are still being developed.