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Load vs Demand vs Consumption [ESL question]

asked 2021-10-01 11:28:28 -0600

Kirill Fedtsov's avatar

updated 2022-02-08 09:12:53 -0600

Hi, everyone! English is a second language for me so distinctions between those terms are a bit confusing to me.

Here are my assumptions for heating period so far:

Heating load - is the amount of energy a space with occupancy and plug loads needs to receive in winter to maintain its temperature within set points (no air changes or re-circulation or anything else; mostly energy transfer except for infiltration).

Heating demand - is the amount of energy an HVAC system will provide to condition that space and to condition outdoor air before supplying it to the space.

Heating consumption - is the amount of energy that will be consumed by that HVAC system to satisfy the heating demand. [If the system uses only electric heaters then demand = consumption; if the system uses heat pumps then demand > consumption).

Are my assumptions reasonable? Please, correct me where I am wrong.

My follow up question would be: where can I see each of these values in the DesignBuilder simulation report? Or EnergyPlus report?

Thanks!

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answered 2021-10-02 21:13:55 -0600

updated 2021-10-02 21:17:24 -0600

Hi. I am quite sure that heating load doesn't take in to account people or plug loads. Heating load is used to size the heating equipment therefore you have to take the worst case scenario.

Heating demand is the energy rate (kW) that you need to maintain inside design conditions. This output takes into account internal loads.

Heating consumption is the energy used so heating demand multiplied by time.

I hope I am correct.

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Asked: 2021-10-01 11:28:28 -0600

Seen: 989 times

Last updated: Nov 15 '21