Impact of Adding Comfort Cooling Systems on the Energy Consumption and EPC Rating of an Existing UK Hotel

Shiva Amirkhani,Paulina Godfrey,Anastasia Mylona,Darren Cook,Ali Bahadori-Jahromi

doi:10.3390/su12072950

Abstract

In light of the recent launch of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard and its expected impact on the commercial buildings sector, this study investigated the impact of adding cooling systems on the annual energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of an existing UK hotel. Thermal Analysis Software (TAS) was used to conduct the study, and the baseline model was validated against the actual data. As is the current accepted procedure in EPC generating in the UK, the cooling set points of the guest rooms were set to 25 °C, resulting in a small increase in the annual energy consumption and emission rates, but not enough to change the energy performance certificate rating. Also, it was found that an improvement in energy consumption and energy performance certificate rating of the hotel would be achieved if the new systems replaced the existing heating systems in the guest rooms. Further simulations investigated more realistic situations, in which occupants may decide to keep their rooms at cooler temperatures. The results from this round of simulations showed considerable increase in the energy consumption and emissions of the building; however, these results would not be considered in the current approved procedure for EPC generating.

Highlights

In recent years, with the growing concern over the potential impacts of global warming, the UK government, alongside other European countries, has announced its commitment to the goal of 80% reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, compared to the levels of GHG emissions in the 1990s [1]
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Following the recent launch of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) requirements in the UK, this paper investigated the impact of adding cooling systems on the annual energy consumption, CO2 emissions and energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of an existing hotel in the UK

Summary

Introduction

With the growing concern over the potential impacts of global warming, the UK government, alongside other European countries, has announced its commitment to the goal of 80% reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, compared to the levels of GHG emissions in the 1990s [1]. One of the most recent requirements, targeting mostly the existing buildings, came into effect in April 2018. It is called the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) and it requires the owners of commercial buildings to ensure an energy performance certificate (EPC) of minimum E or above for the property, before they can sell it or make a new lease on it [11]

Methods

Results

Conclusion