The type of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system has a large impact on the heating and cooling energy consumption in multifamily residential buildings. This paper compares the energy performance of three HVAC systems: a direct expansion (DX) split system, a split air source heat pump (ASHP) system, and a closed-loop water source heat pump (WSHP) system with a boiler and an evaporative fluid cooler as the central heating and cooling source. All three systems use gas furnace for heating or heating backup. The comparison is made in a number of scenarios including different climate conditions, system operation schemes and applicable building codes. It is found that with the minimum code-compliant equipment efficiency, ASHP performs the best among all scenarios except in extremely code climates. WSHP tends to perform better than the split DX system in cold climates but worse in hot climates.
Revised: August 19, 2011 |
Published: July 31, 2011
Citation
Wang W., J. Zhang, W. Jiang, and B. Liu. 2011.Energy Performance Comparison of Heating and Air Conditioning Systems for Multi-Family Residential Buildings.HVAC & R Research 17, no. 3:309-322.PNNL-SA-72653.