Design for efficiency applied to a commercial building air conditioning system

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to calculate the heat loads transmitted from conduction and radiation and convection to all the retail stores of a commercial mall, make a value engineering to find the best cooling system that perfectly suits this type of buildings, and make some architectural changes such as changing the type of glass used and compare the loads once the changes are done. This report starts with a brief introduction about the different types of cooling systems such as Split systems, Variable refrigerant volume systems, and Chilled water systems. Then the advantages and disadvantages of each system will be discussed in order to choose the most feasible cooling system for our commercial mall. Load calculations of the 26 stores that constitute the commercial mall were made with single glazed glass and double glazed glass, and the results show that a lot of money will be saved during every summer season from the electricity bill if the double glazed glass is used instead of the single glazed. In addition, the VRV system was adopted instead of the split unit system and chilled water system because it is more energy efficient and saves electrical energy and will refund the installation price different in 7 years.