Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
12-1-2010
Publication Title
ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)
Abstract
We present a methodology to assess the technical feasibility of building thermal energy reduction strategies from an architecturally diverse building stock that is not metered. While carbon emissions forecasting efforts are typically the domain of planning and policy, the process detailed here can inform institutional decision-making relative to investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and offsets to further reduce carbon footprint. As a case study, we estimated the Smith College campus building thermal energy losses, an analysis which informed our Sustainability and Climate Action Plan [1]. Due to building specific physical constraints and planned renovations, different thermal envelope improvement scenarios were then considered to estimate the heating energy reduction potential of these envelope improvements. The current total heating energy consumption from 79 of our campus buildings was found to be 57, 000 MMBTU/yr. Across the three building categories with minimal existing insulation and poor sealing conditions, the nominal annual thermal energy loss per square foot ranged from 27, 000-37, 000 BTU/ft2. Should envelope improvements be made targeting a 5 year simple payback, this annual thermal energy loss would be reduced by 40% to 34, 000 MMBTU/yr. More extensive and less cost effective envelope improvements suggest further energy reductions approaching 30, 000 MMBTU/yr (between 13, 000-23, 000 BTU/ft 2/yr depending upon the building type).
Volume
5
Issue
PARTS A AND B
First Page
483
Last Page
491
DOI
10.1115/IMECE2010-39156
Rights
Copyright © 2010 by ASME.
Recommended Citation
Grover-Silva, E.; McKahn, D. A.; and Weisbord, D., "Campus Assessment of Building Heating Energy Consumption-Informing the Climate Action Plan" (2010). Engineering: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/egr_facpubs/115
Comments
Archived as published.