2004 Volume 29 Issue 93 Pages 19-29
In this paper, practical measuring method of electric power consumption by utilities in buildings were investigated in order to make the diagnostic work for energy conservation as easy as possible. The following methods were proposed. (1) A Method to reduce the number of measuring points (2) A Method to shorten the time of measuring period (3) A Method to calculate a standard value of energy consumption by utilities The following is the outline of this study. 1. A Method to reduce the number of measuring points (1) Measuring at a main line By measuring at a main line, electric power consumption of more than two loads can be measured at the same time and as a result the number of measuring points are reduced. (2) Measuring at selected circuits By measuring at selected circuits, electric power consumption of all circuits in the floor can be estimated assuming that electric power consumption is in proportion to the capacity of loads on the circuit. (3) Measuring at selected floor By measuring electric power by utilities at a selected typical floor, electric power consumption by each utility for the rest of typical floors can be estimated 2. A Method to shorten the time of measuring period (1) Measuring for one day and estimating the range of error For example, electric power consumption by lighting for one day does not fluctuate day by day if the operation hour of the building is constant. In that case, the range of error due to shorten measuring period may be small enough. (2) Measuring for one day and evaluating the energy efficiency of the building by the standard value calculated with the actual climatic condition of the day. For example, electric power consumption for the air-conditioning system changes day by day due to the change of climatic condition. If a standard value of energy consumption by air-conditioning system related to the actual climate condition is available, the energy efficiency of the system can be evaluated by the measurement for a short period. 3. A Method to calculate a standard value of energy consumption by utilities A Method to calculate a standard value of energy consumption by utilities was proposed to evaluate the energy efficiency of a building considering the architectural condition of the building. Methods mentioned above were applied to the four existing office buildings and their practicability was examined.
