Analysis of Energy Consumption Related to the Use of Air Conditioning in University Buildings in a Tropical Climate

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate aspects of energy consumption with the use of air conditioners in two teaching units at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA): the Polytechnic School (POLI) and the Faculty of Architecture (FAU).   Method: The method used was to carry out a level I energy audit, with the collection of energy consumption data in the two units and information about the air conditioning equipment for the period between 2013 and 2018.   Results and conclusions: average energy consumption indicators were found corresponding to 58 kWh/m²/year at the Polytechnic School and 40 kWh/m²/year at the Faculty of Architecture. As for the representation of the percentage of energy consumption related to the use of air conditioning, 36% were observed in the Polytechnic School and 19% in the Faculty of Architecture.   Research Implications: Contributes to sustainable development and managers' decision making based on the analysis of the collected indices, which can serve as a benchmark for other universities with a tropical climate.   Originality and Value: Finally, this research becomes original insofar as it contributes to obtaining indices of energy consumption in universities and data on energy consumed with the use of air conditioning.