Building Energy Analysis Software

Effective utilization and conservation of the significant energy used by building systems has been of great impor t in the decades following the energy crisis of the 1970's. The energy consumption of the heating, ventilating, an d conditioning (HVAC) system represents a major part of the building's requirements. Software for accurately evaluating the performance of various types of HVAC systems and of the available energy saving options prove s useful both for the design engineer and for classroom use in HVAC courses as well. Existing programs were fo u be either too complicated (expensive) or were unable to consider one or more of the major energy/demand reduc i techniques available today. The HVAC simulation program reported herein will handle all major types of energ y recovery and/or peak shaving schemes in combination with any of today's main types of terminal HVAC system s The PC program, utilizing actual hourly weather data, allows the student (or design engineer) to examine the ma possible combinations and interactions of types of HVAC terminal systems and energy saving options in one or m geographical locations. As example results demonstrate, type of system, combination of options, building characteristics, and location all influence the overall energy performance and thus the "best" selection. The addi t of one energy saving option may reduce or even negate the savings otherwise available from other installed ener g conserving equipment. The methodology allows exploring the interactions and selecting appropriate equipment b on either energy consumption alone, or on life cycle cost.