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A Bin Method for Calculating Energy Conservation Retrofit Savings in Commercial Buildings
Abstract
The calculation of measured energy savings from
energy conservation retrofits is an important step in the
verification of the success of a retrofit (Claridge et al.
1992). Several methods for calculating the savings from
energy conservation retrofits to HVAC systems in the
LoanSTAR program have been proposed, including linear
and change-point linear empirical models and calibrated
simulation models. Simple least squares linear regression
is easiest to use and understand, but is incapable of
describing non-linear temperature dependencies of a
building's energy use. Change-point linear models are
more complex than the simple linear regression and cover
a broader range of buildings. However, there are some
buildings for which change-point linear models do not fit
the data adequately.
This paper presents a first look at an hourly bin
method for calculating energy savings from energy
conservation retrofits to HVAC systems based on hourly
whole-building electricity, sub-metered motor control
center use and thermal energy measurements. A general
procedure for determining the appropriate number of bins
is described and the bin method is applied to data from
several agencies participating in the LoanSTAR program.
Results are compared to existing savings calculation
procedures for two buildings.
Citation
Thamilseran, S.; Haberl, J. S. (1994). A Bin Method for Calculating Energy Conservation Retrofit Savings in Commercial Buildings. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6640.