A Web-Based Decision Support Tool for Efficiently Monitoring and Upgrading HVAC Systems

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are responsible for a significant proportion of the energy consumed in commercial, institutional, and recreational buildings. Nevertheless, their utilisation is crucial for ensuring the thermal comfort of the respective occupants. To that end, evaluating the performance of existing HVAC systems, both in terms of realised energy cost and user comfort, becomes a critical process. To address the inherent complexities of said process, this paper presents a user-friendly decision support tool, aimed at streamlining the monitoring and upgrading of HVAC systems. Leveraging data directly sourced from smart meters, the proposed web-based tool facilitates the precise estimation of the systems' utilisation throughout heating and cooling cycles, assessment of infrastructure efficiency in individual rooms, and calculation of potential energy savings via retrofitting. Unlike traditional approaches reliant on theoretical models and structural data, the tool offers a practical and data-driven alternative. By adapting to the unique characteristics of each building, it enhances the effectiveness of retrofitting endeavors, while also contributing to sustainable energy practices by optimizing HVAC operations in existing structures. The potential benefits of the tool are demonstrated considering an office building in Athens, Greece.