Optimization of energy consumption for indoor climate control using Taguchi technique and utility concept

Abstract

In this research work, results on optimization of parameters related to energy consumption for indoor climate control of a building enclosure are discussed. The analysis is carried out for a building unit maintained at comfort level using Mitsubishi 1.5 ton of refrigeration split air conditioner. A mathematical model based on energy balance and experimental trials were used to compute energy consumption for space cooling/heating conditions. For the purpose of optimization, six control variables at three levels have been chosen from environment, thermo-physical properties, and geometrical variables. Taguchi optimization was carried out using L27 orthogonal arrays to obtain an experimental test strategy for cooling and heating modes, which gives rise to two sets of parameters. With the implementation of utility concept, a single set of optimum level parameters were obtained for both heating and cooling mode operations. Taguchi technique predicted 1.606 kW and 1.252 kW as optimum energy consumption for space cooling and heating modes, respectively with 95% confidence level. Inside humidity ratio, overall heat transfer coefficient and wall to window ratio are predicted as the most influencing parameters for both cooling mode and heating mode operations by the Taguchi method and utility analysis.