Source
Journal of Engineering Research, v. 21, no. 1, p. 71-86.
English abstract
Energy audits are crucial for identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and
promote sustainability in the energy sector. In Oman, air conditioning systems account for about
50% of the nation's electricity use, reaching up to 70% in summer due to temperatures as high as
50°C. This study aimed to analyze energy consumption, focusing on air conditioning and
refrigeration systems, using an academic building as a case study to improve energy efficiency and
sustainability. A series of energy audits identified opportunities for energy conservation in the
building's systems. The audit revealed that implementing various low-cost, high-cost, and zero-cost
strategies could enhance energy efficiency and sustainability, resulting in an annual energy savings
of 37.6%. Zero-cost initiatives, such as turning off HVAC systems when unoccupied, closing main
doors, and setting thermostat temperatures to 24ºC, reduced energy consumption by 10%. Low-cost
measures, including installing occupancy sensors for lighting and ensuring proper HVAC
maintenance, led to a 20.8% reduction. High-cost measures, such as installing windows with lower
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) values, resulted in approximately 6.8% energy savings.
