Determination of the Influence of Outside Air Intake Fraction on Choosing Independent Variable for Cooling Regression Modeling in Hot and Humid Climates (OR-16-034)

On the establishment of a reliable baselines for energy savings estimation, one or more variables are usually used to determine a model by regression analysis. These regression models generally use one or more independent variables, such as outside air temperature (OAT), degree days, or combination of these with occupancy or humidity. Based in a calibrated multi-use building energy simulation in a hot and humid climates, in this paper the study of the influence of outside air intake fraction on the selection of the best parameter to develop change-point regression modeling for cooling and heating energy use was evaluated. A comparison among regressions based on three variables, two regularly used in measuring and verification (M&V) process – OAT and outside air enthalpy (OAE), plus the addition of an operational enthalpy was carried out. The study included variations of the outside air intake fraction in the range of 10% -100% and the development of the corresponding patterns of regression models for each of the parameters.