Energy efficient design of industrial buildings

Abstract

Eight factories have been monitored, two designed in compliance with current recommendations for thermal insulation (0.6 W m −2 °C −1) and air infiltration, and six designed with increased levels of thermal insulation (0.35–0.45 W m −2 °C −1) and reduced levels of air infiltration. Design energy targets are presented for the standard and “better insulated” factories. Results for measured U-values and air infiltration rates are presented and related to standard and recommended values. In general the measured U-value heat loss was found to be higher and the measured air infiltration rates were found to be lower than recommended design values. These measured values were used to calculate revised design energy targets which were then compared to the original design targets and measured operational targets. Operational energy targets for the better insulated factories were found to lie within 0.30 and 0.34 GJ m −2 yr −1. The possibility of a “mismatch” between traditional heating system design and the heating requirements of low energy factories is discussed.