How does demand limiting improve building energy performance?

How does demand limiting improve building energy performance?

• A. It reduces peak electrical demand by controlling or staggering high-energy equipment during peak periods.
• B. It relies on solar generation to offset consumption.
• C. It reduces energy use by shutting down all equipment at random times.
• D. It increases HVAC run time to maximize comfort.

Answer: (A)

Demand limiting targets the building’s peak electrical draw rather than total energy use. By coordinating when large, energy-hungry equipment starts and runs—such as HVAC air handlers, chillers, pumps, and other motors—the facility avoids heavy, simultaneous loads during peak periods. This spreading or staggering of demand keeps the instantaneous power consumption below a set limit, which lowers demand charges from the utility and reduces strain on the electrical system. Implementations include staged sequencing, start-delay strategies, occupancy-based controls, and responding to demand-response signals, all designed to maintain comfort and operations while cutting peak demand. The other options don’t fit because relying on solar offsets consumption shifts where the energy comes from rather than reducing the peak load; shutting down equipment at random times disrupts operations; and increasing HVAC run time raises peak demand rather than limiting it.

Demand limiting targets the building’s peak electrical draw rather than total energy use. By coordinating when large, energy-hungry equipment starts and runs—such as HVAC air handlers, chillers, pumps, and other motors—the facility avoids heavy, simultaneous loads during peak periods. This spreading or staggering of demand keeps the instantaneous power consumption below a set limit, which lowers demand charges from the utility and reduces strain on the electrical system. Implementations include staged sequencing, start-delay strategies, occupancy-based controls, and responding to demand-response signals, all designed to maintain comfort and operations while cutting peak demand. The other options don’t fit because relying on solar offsets consumption shifts where the energy comes from rather than reducing the peak load; shutting down equipment at random times disrupts operations; and increasing HVAC run time raises peak demand rather than limiting it.