dc.description.abstract | This thesis presents an analysis of the relationship between energy consumption for cooling of a commercial building with air conditioning systems type SPLIT and VRF and some varied architectural parameters in the reference model. The analyzes were carried out by computer simulation, using EnergyPlus. Several changes were simulated with variations in the reference model, like roof types, envelope thermal insulation, window glass types, vertical and horizontal louvers and smaller window to wall ratio on the facades, for both air conditioning systems. The climate of Porto Alegre was adopted, which is located in the Brazilian Bioclimatic Zone 3. The reference model was created from a photographic survey of commercial buildings over four stories in the city of Porto Alegre. From this survey, a building with ten floors measuring 27 x 7.5 m and ceiling height of 2.60 m was designed. To analyze the energy behavior of the reference model, building components were inserted, like occupation schedule, lighting system and equipment loads, air conditioning and infiltration. With these data entered in EnergyPlus thermal load was determined and air conditioning equipment selected and inserted according with performance data obtained from equipment suppliers. The simulations of the mentioned changes were made one at a time. Comparing all proposed variations, the change of the 3 mm clear glass by the reflective 6 mm glass, was the most influencing parameter in reducing energy consumption for cooling. When grouping the top three solutions: reflective 6 mm glass, horizontal blinds and metalic roof with insulation, an overall reduction in consumption in air conditioning system of 35.7% with SPLIT, from 53.4 kWh/m2 to 34.33 kWh/m2, and 41.94% for the VRF, reducing from 36.04 kWh/m2 to 20.92 kWh/m2 was obtained. It may also be noted that the actual COP of the air conditioning equipment was much higher than the nominal most part of the time, with an average of approximately 4.5 for the SPLIT system and 6.2 for the VRF system. | en |