A study of the thermal characteristics and potential for energy conservation at four London office buildings

Abstract Four office buildings have been selected to represent typical constructions over the last half century. They range from an old heavyweight building to a reasonably modern, lightweight design. Each has been simulated by the THERM computer program and accuracy of the models checked against actual fuel bills. It is hoped that the findings relating to these buildings may provide the reader with an insight into the likely thermal behaviour of other buildings. By altering the computer models of the four buildings it has been possible to investigate various means of reducing energy consumptions. Good housekeeping offers high savings at little or no expense. Retrofit insulation measures are effective to conserve energy but, unfortunately, some of the associated payback periods may be unacceptably long.