Abstract
In this study a robust method enabling one to compare the energy performance in different climates was developed. Derived normalization factors allow “to move” the building from one climate to another with corresponding changes in heating, cooling, and electric lighting energy. Degree days, solar-air temperature and economic insulation thickness were used to normalize space heating and cooling needs. Solar-air temperature based degree days resulted in 5% accuracy in space heating and dry-bulb air temperature based cooling degree days were trustworthy in cooling need normalization. To overcome the limitation of the same thermal insulation in all climates, an economic insulation thickness was applied. Existing and nearly zero energy requirements were contrasted in four countries with a reference office building to analyze the impacts of climate and national regulation on primary energy use. By applying standard energy calculation input data and primary energy factors from European standards to buildings with national technical solutions, nearly zero energy building requirements comparison with European Commission benchmarks was possible to conduct. Generally, in Central and North Europe comparison, national input data caused much more difference than the climate.
Highlights
The comparison of heating and cooling need in buildings in different locations is difficult because of the variations in building parameters, occupancy, thermal comfort, and climate
We show the limitations of degree day normalization and an improvement through solar-air temperature degree days, which provided reasonable accuracy but assume the same thermal insulation in both climates under comparison
Results show that for air handling unit (AHU) cooling coil the accuracy is from +19 to −13%, the absolute difference was less than 1 kWh/(m2 ·a)
Summary
The comparison of heating and cooling need in buildings in different locations is difficult because of the variations in building parameters, occupancy, thermal comfort, and climate. Applying the same measures does not ensure the assignment of similar amounts of energy savings in different climatic regions. Climate shows a significant effect on the energy efficiency of buildings [2]. Many studies have reviewed energy use in buildings from different climatic regions [3,4]. Namely dry-bulb temperature, wet-bulb temperature, wind speed, global solar radiation, and clearness index were considered and it was described how those parameters were correlated with heating and cooling needs [5]. A study described in [6]
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