Energy consumption of multi split air conditioning system for office buildings in China

Conducts a long term survey on seven office buildings using the multi split air conditioning systems in different climatic regions of China. Finds that the energy consumption of multi split air conditioning system in heating season of cold zone accounts for about 60% of the total annual energy consumption, and about 50% and 29%~40% for those in cooling and heating season of hot summer and cold winter zone, respectively. In hot summer and warm winter zone, the energy consumption accounts for over 80%. The energy intensity is closely related to the occupancy rate and outdoor temperature. Combined with the available literatures, analyses nineteen office buildings using the multi split air conditioning systems. The results show that the energy consumption intensity ranges from 20 to 50 kW·h/(m2·a), equivalent to 6.5~16.4 kg /(m2·a) of standard coal. For the buildings with an area over 20 000 m2, relative to other types of central air conditioning systems, the multi split air conditioning system shows the advantage of energy efficiency.