Energy Audit of a Classroom in the Hot and Humid Region: Effect of Mechanical Dehumidification on Energy Consumption

Abstract

Air conditioning (AC) systems are the most energy-consuming systems in buildings in hot and humid climates. This study investigates the effect of mechanical dehumidification on the energy apportioning of the conventional cooling system in hot and humid regions. An energy audit was carried out in a classroom with a fan coil unit as a case study. Air characteristics, cooling load, and cooling capacity of the case study were measured. According to the energy audit results, for a room with 51% latent load and 49% sensible load, the mechanical dehumidification consumed 56% of cooling capacity, while 44% of cooling capacity was used for sensible cooling. It has been shown that mechanical dehumidification consumes the majority of the energy used by AC systems in hot and humid areas.