An overview on energy balance for a building model in temperate climate with three different simulation tools

Nowadays the number of environmental assessment tools (building energy simulation software) available on the market is very large. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the analogies and the differences of three common software (TRNSYS, IDA ICE and ESP-r) analysing a standard cellular model. Using a uniform set of initial data and hypothesis, the test foresees a detailed comparison in terms of different methods of evaluation for the energy balance of a building in a temperate climate. The model is design in a simplified way to achieve consistence results using the three different simulation tools (one thermal zone, fixed construction technology and ideal supply air system). As climatic conditions the same source weather file (TMY2) for Milan was used, considering it as a representative city of Italy for temperate climate with moderate external temperature. The results are based on monthly analysis for the complete year. The study aimed to show how different simulation methodologies work and the effects they have on the building energy performances evaluation. Furthermore, the benefits of using dynamic simulation tools should be analysed in order to identify how the design process could be affected by them, especially today where the request of sustainable and environmental friendly building is increased