000169196 001__ 169196
000169196 005__ 20260223164759.0
000169196 0247_ $$2doi$$a10.1016/j.enbuild.2026.117179
000169196 0248_ $$2sideral$$a148244
000169196 037__ $$aART-2026-148244
000169196 041__ $$aeng
000169196 100__ $$0(orcid)0000-0003-2286-913X$$aGarcía-Monge Rábanos, M.$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza
000169196 245__ $$aData-driven characterization of start-up thermal response for optimal HVAC operation in tertiary buildings
000169196 260__ $$c2026
000169196 5060_ $$aAccess copy available to the general public$$fUnrestricted
000169196 5203_ $$aThis paper presents a methodology for analysing the thermal behaviour of tertiary buildings under intermittent heating schedules aligned with occupancy patterns. The approach aims to enable more efficient, dynamic HVAC operation based on a data-driven model. A central component of the methodology is the characterization of the coupled building-HVAC thermal response upon system activation, determined through a systematic analysis of start-up events from historical sensor data.
Validated across 62 buildings and almost 1,500 temperature sensors at the University of Zaragoza during the 2024–2025 heating season (October to April), the analysis revealed substantial variations in thermal response rates, varying tenfold from 0.3 to 3.0 °C/h. This heterogeneity confirms that the existing uniform, campus-wide HVAC schedule is suboptimal and demonstrates the necessity of personalized start-up strategies, according to the distinct thermal dynamics of each building.
The results have provided a clearer picture of the combined behaviour of the building, HVAC system, and climate, particularly during the preheating phase. The findings highlight the potential of this data-driven approach to support customized HVAC control strategies to ensure thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption. Crucially, this work addresses the implementation gap frequently reported in the literature, where sophisticated theoretical models remain incompatible with conventional building control systems. By prioritizing empirical validation over simulation, the proposed methodology offers a practical and readily deployable alternative to static, pre-defined control schedules that continue to dominate the existing building stock due to technological inertia.
000169196 536__ $$9info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/T55-20R$$9info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MCIN/RYC2021-034265-I
000169196 540__ $$9info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess$$aby-nc-nd$$uhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.es
000169196 655_4 $$ainfo:eu-repo/semantics/article$$vinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
000169196 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0003-3269-023X$$aGuillén-Lambea, S.$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza
000169196 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0002-6101-580X$$aZalba, B.$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza
000169196 7102_ $$15004$$2590$$aUniversidad de Zaragoza$$bDpto. Ingeniería Mecánica$$cÁrea Máquinas y Motores Térmi.
000169196 773__ $$g357 (2026), 117179 [19 pp.]$$pEnergy build.$$tEnergy and Buildings$$x0378-7788
000169196 8564_ $$s16840239$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/169196/files/texto_completo.pdf$$yVersión publicada
000169196 8564_ $$s2431378$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/169196/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon$$xicon$$yVersión publicada
000169196 909CO $$ooai:zaguan.unizar.es:169196$$particulos$$pdriver
000169196 951__ $$a2026-02-23-14:54:18
000169196 980__ $$aARTICLE