Thermal Load Calculation based on Monthly Electrical Use

[PES001]

Not sure if it is possible or not, but I was wondering if you could estimate (very roughly) the thermal building load of a 25,000 s.f. space with 32 water source heat pumps based entirely on the elecrical use. The heat pumps are all aggregately metered with one electrical meter, so I know how much electricity they are all using for the year. However, the electricity consumed is not a direct reflection of thermal load because of pumps, and blowers, correct? If it were a natural gas unit, I could look at how much natural gas was consumed and determine the thermal heating load for the space. Because it is electric it is not that simple. I am trying to estimate the thermal requirements necessary for a CHP system. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[EnergyProfessional]

Well, if I go for "number 2" and you analyze my droppings you could derive how much I ate, and based on that how much work I did today. So tell, me, did I design 1 or 5 projects?

That is about how accurate you could get with much science.

In addition, the heat load calculation assumes no internal heat gain (from lighting etc.). What you have are real data with all that internal heat gain. You also never experienced design conditions. And there are 1000000 more reasons why it wouldn't be good.

It is far easier to analyze the load the regular way.

 

[IRstuff]

What does the "water source" part of the heat pumps do?

Whatever they do, it's probably not included in the electrical usage.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[mauricestoker]

As the WSHP's have assumedly been sized, I would recommend using the heating/cooling loads they were sized for. Not sure I understand your question, as it seems to be "how much electricity is required" as opposed to how much cooling or heating is needed". If you put in crappy, old, inefficient equipment, your electrical costs will be more, but your cooling/heating requirements stay the same.