Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Hu, Han

Committee Member

Nutter, Darin W.

Abstract

Retail stores are dynamic environments where human activities significantly influence energy consumption patterns, particularly affecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) demands. Existing energy models, such as those developed using EnergyPlus, often rely on generalized assumptions about human occupancy and behavior, leading to discrepancies between predicted and actual energy usage. This research aimed to enhance the accuracy of energy modeling for retail stores by conducting a sensitivity analysis of occupancy using EnergyPlus simulations. The study investigated how variations in occupancy levels impact HVAC loads, cooling and heating demands, and overall energy use. Results showed that increasing occupancy leads to higher internal heat gains, which elevated annual cooling electricity demand by approximately 11.4% and fan energy electricity demand by 12.7%. Higher occupancy also necessitated increased outdoor air intake, resulting in greater heating penalties during winter months, with natural gas consumption for heating increasing by about 2.3%. These heating penalties indicated that the potential wintertime energy savings from occupant-generated heat gains are offset in the mixed-humid climate studied. By varying occupancy-related parameters, the research identified the impact that occupancy has on retail store building energy use. Overall, the study provides insights into the effects of occupancy in retail environments and supports the development of more reliable, energy-efficient management practices for large commercial spaces.

Keywords

building enery modeling; energyplus; HVAC; electricity; natural gas; BEM

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