Working with Different Building Energy Performance Tools: From Input Data to Energy and Indoor Temperature Predictions

Energy consumption calculations and thermal comfort conditions assessment are crucial issues in building simulations when using Building Energy Performance Simulation (BEPS) tools. The available software has been separately validated under different boundaries and operating conditions. Consequently, the predicted output of the same building simulated with two separate software can disagree. This issue is relevant not only for research purposes but also for professionals who need to compare the energy performance of the same building with different simulation engines. This work aims at contributing to the field in two ways. Above all, it clarifies the preparation of the building model and the correct definition of input data and boundary conditions when different software are used (IDA ICE and Design Builder/Energy Plus). In addition, it compares the output (energy and indoor temperatures) of two BEPS for the same building (in different configurations) exposed to the same weather conditions. The study shows that the two most significant differences are represented by the temperature values, while the energy predictions agree.

Automated summary

Energy consumption calculations and thermal comfort conditions assessment are crucial in building simulations with BEPS tools. Different software validation and operating conditions can lead to inconsistent predictions. This study clarifies building model preparation and input data definition for using different software. It also compares the energy and temperature output of two BEPS tools for the same building under the same weather conditions, showing differences in temperature values but agreement in energy predictions.