Date Approved

9-22-2023

Embargo Period

9-27-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Department

Mechanical Engineering

College

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering

Advisor

Francis M. Haas, Ph.D.

Committee Member 1

William T. Riddell, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Jess W. Everett, Ph.D.

Keywords

Buildings, Degree-day modeling, Energy, eQUEST modeling, Heat transfer, Resistance-capacitance modeling

Subject(s)

Buildings--Energy consumption

Disciplines

Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Residential, commercial, and industrial building sectors in the United States were responsible for 42% of the nation’s consumption of 100.2 quadrillion BTUs of energy in 2019 [1]. 80% of the nation’s energy is sourced from fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum. Fossil fuels are known contributors to carbon emissions and climate change, making energy reduction vital. Consequently, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA) is tasked with evaluating energy consumption and efficiency in all New Jersey Army National Guard (NJARNG) facilities, as mandated by TAG Policy Letter 18-5, Executive Order 13990, and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This research investigates three building energy consumption modeling (BEM) approaches for colder weather: eQUEST, degree-day modeling, and resistance-capacitance (RC) modeling. Each method has distinct advantages and limitations, but BEM holds promise in identifying cost-effective energy-saving measures, aligning with the goals of government entities like NJDMAVA. Specifically, eQUEST proves valuable for experienced users in energy modeling. Degree-day modeling excels at detecting operational shifts and benchmarking similar facilities. The RC model was able to accurately predict energy savings as a result of changes to thermostat settings

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