User Manual

12
4 Energy savings
The energy efficiency was investigated as part of comprehensive simulations. The
following is a brief summary of the results of a case study conduced jointly with the
EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology). The
study confirmed that operating a TABS building using DESIGO TABS control is
very economical without sacrificing comfort.
The simulations corresponded to a typical office building in the Zurich region.
During active heating, zone pump cycle operation reduced electricity use by up to
80%. The savings were limited to ca. 60% overall since cycle operation starts with
a purge prior to normal switch-on to determine the temperature of the concrete
core.
Figure 4-1
Pump electricity savings.
Key:
Without cycle operation Refrigeration machine without free cooling,
separate return piping / continuous heating mode.
With cycle operation Refrigeration machine without free cooling,
separate return piping / cycled heating mode.
Detailed results of the simulation are available in the comprehensive publication
entitled "Thermally activated building systems (TABS): Energy efficiency as a
function of control strategy, hydronic circuit topology and (cold) generation system"
and can be ordered at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.08.010
.