Building Simulations and Modelling: Energy

Abstract

The quest to achieve high standards in energy efficiency has resulted in the development of complex simulation tools that aim for a precise calculation of energy performance, thus supporting building design as well as the management process. Common questions regarding the simulation of performance address several issues: during what stage is simulation being conducted (preliminary design, main design, dimensioning of the systems, certification), how complex is the procedure, what resources are needed (data and computational) etc. In everyday practice we are confronted with a variety of available software options, each of which is advertised as the right choice for building energy performance simulation. With regard to the approach towards modelling, complexity, and simulation processes, we can distinguish several application levels, each having certain advantages and disadvantages. The starting point for an adequate simulation procedure relies on the available legislation and professional standards, calculation procedures, and computational logic. Depending on the desired outcome or goal of the process, an adequate simulation strategy must be applied. A comparison between the two most commonly used pieces of simulation software in Serbia, KnaufTerm2 and Ecotect, has been conducted, illustrating the differences in procedure and the results gained.