Technical, economic, and environmental assessment of energy audit and optimization in the mechanical room of an office building

Abstract

The increasing global energy demand, combined with environmental concerns and rising costs, has made energy efficiency a crucial issue. The objective of this research is to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on energy efficiency in buildings, with a particular focus on building-scale facilities associated with large industries, also highlights the importance of considering economic and environmental factors when selecting and implementing energy efficiency measures. This study offers a comprehensive approach to optimize energy consumption in industrial office buildings, particularly in mechanical equipment room systems. By conducting a detailed energy audit of a major Iranian office building and implementing numerous energy-saving strategies, substantial reductions of 53.77 % in energy consumption, 21.84 % in carbon emissions, and 12.85 % in operational costs were realized. These measures were categorized into four groups based on cost: no-cost, low-cost, medium-cost, and high-cost. The study highlights the value of a balanced approach, combining both low-cost and high-cost strategies. While low-cost measures offer quick wins, high-cost strategies, like advanced control systems, can lead to significant long-term savings. Tailoring these strategies to specific building needs is key to maximizing their impact.