Using real occupancy in retrofit decision-making : reducing the performance gap in low utilisation higher education buildings

Oliver, Stephen and Seyedzadeh, Saleh and Pour Rahimian, Farzad (2019) Using real occupancy in retrofit decision-making : reducing the performance gap in low utilisation higher education buildings. In: 36th CIB W78 2019 Conference, 2019-09-18 - 2019-09-20, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

Retrofit analysis relies on intuition and faith in the simulations used to justify strategy selection. However, intuition is built upon belief systems which become increasing unjustifiable as building operation deviates from design whether in utilisation, occupant behaviours or climate models. Higher education facilities are known for persistently low but well recorded occupant presence and density, and therefore are susceptible to counterintuitive behaviours related to utilisation. When operation has little correlation with design it is possible for performance issues to appear to be symptoms of design considerations rather than direct root of the issue. Using an EnergyPlus and SBEM virtual case study based on a floor of a university building and class registration data this paper describes how lighting retrofit simulation alludes to intuitive thermal property and HVAC efficiency concerns where heating management is the primary cause for concern. In doing so, it demonstrates a new approach to scheduling utilisation in higher education facilities and a method of meaningfully modelling BMS systems in EnergyPlus as replacement for the efficiency credits method. Results are discussed in terms of relevance to legislative compliance, cost-benefit analysis and how the scheduling methods contribute to intuitive analysis of low utilisation buildings.

ORCID iDs

Oliver, Stephen, Seyedzadeh, Saleh ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6017-289X and Pour Rahimian, Farzad ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7443-4723;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)