Importance of HVAC System Selection in Reducing the Energy Consumption of Building Retrofits–Case Study: Office Building in London

Abstract

The analysis of the holistic life cycle and energy has become more important due to the escalating energy demands in existing office stock. HVAC system retrofits to save energy are an outstanding way when compared to envelope improvements. The study proposes a parametric workflow to analyze and reduce energy, carbon and cost in HVAC retrofits. Based on the workflow, the energy demands of an existing office building were gathered using energy modelling software. The results then were calibrated with the building's energy data. Using the equation-based modelling workflow, HVAC plant side systems were simulated parametrically to calculate energy, carbon and cost. In total, 5184 iterations of 10 interventions were tested. It was found that heating plant type and heat recovery were the prominent savings inputs in the case study. The study presented a comprehensive approach to the HVAC system retrofit of existing buildings, which uses real energy data calibration, verifiable, and parametric methods.