Abstract
Building energy modeling (BEM), a subset of building information modeling (BIM), integrates energy analysis into the design, construction, and operation and maintenance of buildings. As there are various existing BEM tools available, there is a need to evaluate the utility of these tools in various phases of the building lifecycle. The goal of this research was to develop guidelines for evaluation and selection of BEM tools to be used in particular building lifecycle phases. The objectives of this research were to: (1) Evaluate existing BEM tools; (2) Illustrate the application of the three BEM tools; (3) Re-evaluate the three BEM tools; and (4) Develop guidelines for evaluation, selection and application of BEM tools in the design, construction and operation/maintenance phases of buildings. Twelve BEM tools were initially evaluated using four criteria: interoperability, usability, available inputs, and available outputs. Each of the top three BEM tools selected based on this initial evaluation was used in a case study to simulate and evaluate energy usage, daylighting performance, and natural ventilation for two academic buildings (LEED-certified and non-LEED-certified). The results of the case study were used to re-evaluate the three BEM tools using the initial criteria with addition of the two new criteria (speed and accuracy), and to develop guidelines for evaluating and selecting BEM tools to analyze building energy performance. The major contribution of this research is the development of these guidelines that can help potential BEM users to identify the most appropriate BEM tool for application in particular building lifecycle phases.
Highlights
As sustainability increasingly becomes a standard practice in the building industry, the demand for high-performance buildings increases [1]
The top three building energy modeling (BEM) tools identified by the initial evaluation had a score larger than 3 points
The various existing building energy modeling (BEM) tools present a wide range of capabilities and applications
Summary
As sustainability increasingly becomes a standard practice in the building industry, the demand for high-performance buildings increases [1]. With the demand for high-performance buildings and the resulting challenges posed to designers, builders and facility managers, the integration of building performance analysis into the design, construction, and operation and maintenance of buildings becomes crucial [2,5,6,7,8]. According to the US GSA [8] use of the building information modeling (BIM)-based energy modeling provides several benefits including: more accurate and complete energy performance analysis in early design stages, improved lifecycle cost analysis, and more opportunities for monitoring actual building performance during the operation phase. Building information modeling (BIM) in conjunction with building energy modeling (BEM) seeks to make this integration seamless throughout the design process [8,9]. During the building operation and maintenance phase, BEM can be used to improve energy efficiency through adjustments to system operations and building retrofits [8]
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