Using Building Performance Simulation to Enhance Energy Efficiency Evaluations of Room Air Conditioners

This study compared fixed Cooling Seasonal Performance Factors (CSPF) calculated using a general outdoor temperature distribution to those calculated considering specific climates and the use of Room Air Conditioners (RAC). Results indicate that tailoring CSPF calculation to specific climates is key to better communicating RAC efficiencies to stakeholders. Additionally, using Building Performance Simulation (BPS) was proved as an innovative approach within this scope, since it can tailor CSPF calculation to specific hours when indoor conditions are more likely to demand cooling. This approach also highlighted equipmentrelated outcomes that static evaluations could not detect.