Multicriteria Energy Audit of a Multipurpose University Building

The multicriteria approach of building energy audit, which entails assessing a building’s performance based on multiple criteria (energy associated with the building lighting, hot water supply, powering of the computer systems, etc.), portends a comprehensive energy analysis aimed at deducing energy conservation measures that will enhance the performance of the building and productivity of the users. On this note, an academic building complex with a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 2361.5411m2 and Treated Floor Area (TFA) of 2124.711793 m2 was the object of a detailed multicriteria energy audit. The aim being to establish the energy performance of the building and comparison of the performance values with building energy Benchmarks or Standards (CIBSE TM23, TM44, TM46, etc.). Data used for this investigation were chiefly from the secondary sources (gas and electricity meter readings). The data collected were used for calculating the energy performance of the building (kWh/m2) and eventual comparison with the existing energy benchmarks (in kWh/m2). Results of the analyses indicate that the Performance Indicator (PI) of the electricity (136.7kWh/m2) is well in excess of the good practice benchmark of 34kWh/m2, while the PI of the gas (168.6kWh/m2) also exceeded the benchmark of 146kWh/m2. These results present possible 74.41% energy savings from the electricity and 13.41% from gas. Optimal reduction in the energy consumption of the building requires replacement of the F40T12 and F32T8 lamps with F17T5, and installation of motion detectors and ballast dimmers. Furthermore, installation of point of use heaters will help reduce the effects of standing losses associated with water storage tanks, while spray and push taps will reduce the water consumption rates. Generally, sub-metering the building into zones will help detect which areas consume energy most and enable remedial measures specific to the zones.