Analysis of Annual Cooling Energy Requirements for Glazed Academic Buildings

Large scale air conditioning applications such as those in a university are a major energy consumer. With uncertainties in the cost and availability of local and global energy nowadays, studies on optimization of cooling energy in buildings are necessary. The objective of the present work is to analyze the annual cooling energy of highly glazed academic buildings which are located in a university in Malaysia. The outcome of the study would enable further remedial actions in reducing the energy consumption of the buildings’ air conditioning system. The study is conducted by computer simulation using EnergyPlus software to calculate the cooling energy of a selected building or areas. Comparison is made against the rated equipment load (i.e. the air handling unit) installed in the buildings. Since the buildings in the present work are not constructed parallel to each other the effect of building orientations with respect to the sun positions are also studied. The implications of shades such as venetian blind on the cooling energy are investigated in assessing their effectiveness in reducing the cooling energy, apart from providing thermal comfort to the occupants. In the aspect of operation, the present study includes the effects of reducing the set point air temperature and infiltration of outdoor air due to doors that are left open by the occupants. It is found from the present study that there are significant potentials for savings in the cooling energy of the buildings.