DC-2761 -- Development of a Simplified Graphical Procedure for Estimating the Energy Usage in Nonresidential Buildings PDF

Effective energy conservation in commercial and institutional buildings requires the availability of energy-estimating procedures that can quantitatively evaluate the effects of various design and operational parameters. Most of the existing procedures are either too simplistic to provide the desired level of accuracy or are too complex to gain widespread usage. The objective of this research was to determine the feasibility of developing a simplified graphical energy-estimating procedure capable of providing analytically significant results. The feasibility of the procedure was demonstrated through the generation of plots for commercial and institutional buildings located in the state of North Carolina. The procedure consists of plots for load determination, secondary system simulation, and primary system simulation. A separate set of plots is applicable for each building-size range located in a specified weather area.