A simplified method for building cooling load calculation

Since most building energy simulation softwares are inconvenient and time-consuming for HVAC system design, this paper proposes a simplified method for building cooling load calculation, which mainly focuses on the cooling load from building envelope. The cooling load from interior building envelope is equivalent to the exterior building envelope load. First, the concept of correction coefficient for cooling load calculation is proposed. And then, based on the cooling load factor method and orthogonal experimental method, the recommended values of the urban correction coefficient are obtained for the main cities in China. A typical office building is introduced for cooling load calculation with the simplified calculation method, DeST and Hongye software, respectively. After comparative analysis of the results, the accuracy and feasibility is verified. Finally, the impact of window-wall ratio on building envelope cooling load is analyzed with the simplified method. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.