ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 61
TECHNICAL FEATURE
Climate Zone
70
60
50
4
5
6
7
8
40
30
20
10
0
This article demonstrated discrepSmall Office
ancies between plug load assumptions
in NECB and measured electricity
use in existing buildings based on previous studies. By
quantifying the effect of plug load assumptions on building simulation results for different building types, code
versions and climate zones, the following observations
were made: 1) the effect of plug load assumptions generally increased in milder climate zones and decreased in
colder climate zones, irrespective of the building type; 2)
the effect of plug load assumptions on total energy use
generally increased in larger buildings; and 3) the effect
of plug load assumptions generally increased as code
requirements become more stringent.
The current approach of using a single plug load schedule based only on building type disregards the evident
diversity between buildings of the same type, which was
demonstrated in previous studies. To address this limitation, stochastic or at least scenario-based approaches for
simulating plug loads should be explored (e.g., two to
three scenarios as shown in this article), and conclusions
should only be drawn based on their aggregate results for
both code compliance or design development.
Otherwise, different plug load assumptions may
be used at the space-level to capture spatial diversity. Finally, measurements of plug load use must be
expanded with the current growth in advanced metering infrastructure. Such data can be processed to
identify and update design EPD and scheduled plug-in
equipment use due to occupant interactions, especially
with the expected changes in commercial and residential building occupancy patterns (and consequently
plug load use), which is expected to persist beyond the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Medium Office
Large Office
Archetype
School
MURB
FIGURE 5 Variations in energy use intensity relative to the baseline across three
different versions of the NECB, considering low, high and medium plug loads' use
scenarios in five climate zones.
NECB
70
60
2011
2015
2017
50
Variation (%)
Conclusion
FIGURE 4 Variations in energy use intensity relative to the baseline across five Canadian climate zones, considering low, high and medium plug load use scenarios and three different versions of the NECB.
Variation (%)
load assumptions can lead to inaccurate energy use estimates, which
may result in suboptimal choices of
design parameters for new buildings.
Furthermore, such assumptions can
negatively influence sizing of HVAC
systems, particularly for cooling size
calculations, which assume all plug
loads are used; thus, more representative plug load assumptions for different
building types are needed.
40
30
20
10
0
Small Office Medium Office
Large Office
Archetype
School
MURB
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Research
Council of Canada (NRC) under contract number
936198. The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Mirata Hosseini to this work.
References
1. NRC. 2017. " National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings
2017. " National Research Council Canada.
2. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019, Energy Standard for
Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
3. O'Brien, W, et al. 2020. " An international review of occupantrelated aspects of building energy codes and standards. "
Build. Environ 179(July 15):106906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
buildenv.2020.106906
4. Abushakra, A, A. Sreshthaputra, J.S. Haberl, P.E. David, et al.
2000. " Compilation of Diversity Factors and Schedules for Energy
(Continued on page 65)
MARCH 2021
ashrae.org
ASHRAE JOURNAL
61
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106906
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106906
http://www.ashrae.org
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - March 2021
Contents
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - Intro
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - Cover1
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - Cover2
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 1
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - Contents
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 3
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 4
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 5
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 6
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 7
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 8
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 9
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 10
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 11
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 12
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 13
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 14
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 15
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 16
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 17
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 18
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 19
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 20
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 21
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 22
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 23
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 24
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 25
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 26
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 27
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 28
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 29
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 30
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 31
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 32
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 33
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 34
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 35
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 36
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 37
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 38
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 39
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 40
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 41
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 42
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 43
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 44
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 45
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 46
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 47
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 48
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 49
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 50
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 51
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 52
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 53
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 54
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 55
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 56
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 57
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 58
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 59
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 60
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 61
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 62
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 63
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 64
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 65
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 66
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 67
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 68
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 69
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 70
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 71
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 72
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 73
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 74
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 75
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 76
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 77
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 78
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 79
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 80
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 81
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 82
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 83
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 84
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 85
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 86
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 87
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 88
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 89
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 90
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 91
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 92
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 93
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 94
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 95
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 96
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 97
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 98
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 99
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 100
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 101
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 102
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 103
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - 104
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - Cover3
ASHRAE Journal - March 2021 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_VHQRAW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XGMDXI
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_YELQLJ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_QJLWMC
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_MCDEBX
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_WNYSQY
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XATVOD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_FJSHSS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_CCBZDS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XDEFVG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2023november_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2023november
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_VHGNBL
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_WPKBNJ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_UUVCDE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_RTGDEW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraemexico_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_LKRFXS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_AZSOFG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_ERCDBH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_QWDFRV
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_JHGVDF
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_OPUYHG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SREIBM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_LRTGLK
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_OKRFGH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2022november_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2022november
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_TZSERA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_LVRUIX
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_RPTVYZ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/mini_pub_catalog
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XIYTGD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraemexico_2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_RFGDOB
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_PABXNU
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_REMKLS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_PICVBT
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_AOYTVW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_JQOPLS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_IOYTBC
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SGAJJF
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_IGHYER
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_PDRKLS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2021november
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2021november_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XCODFR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_QSLFGO
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_ILKVNM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraemexico_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_OPDJKD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_VJKSRY
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SDHUTC
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_JPPKRR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SDLTTH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_CKLLES
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SLDOX
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_HJETUK
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_OLUHGE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2020october
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2020october_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_ZERDGH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_QVMNEO
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_RTPOKE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_BBATRE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_STUBMW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_TPEMPE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_JNMKDS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_FBTTPA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_WQMMNE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_TVBRYN
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_showguide2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_KTUZMA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_ABEDGD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2019septmeber_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2019september
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2019april
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2019march
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_showguide2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2018december
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2018november
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2018fall_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2018october
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraemexico_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraeinsights_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2017fall_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashrae_meetinginsert_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2016fall_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_acrexindia
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2015summer_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/amca/2014summer2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/amca/2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_acma_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_acmasupp_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/pubcatalog_2013winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/achr_expo_mexico2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201208_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201208_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/pubcatalog_2012summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/pubcatalog_2012winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201111_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201109_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/pubcatalog_2011summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201103
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com