Building Energy Analysis

Reduce Energy Use and Costs With Expert Building Energy Analysis

Understanding Building Energy Analysis

Performing a building energy analysis helps to ensure that you are constantly working towards the most energy-efficient building possible. Utilizing a method known as Building Energy Modeling (BEM), a building energy analysis uses computer-based simulation software to perform a detailed analysis of a building’s energy-using systems to determine overall energy use. This energy simulation can help you analyze the movement of energy in, out, and through the rooms and volumes in a building model.

The simulation software works by enacting a mathematical model that provides an approximate representation of the building. One of our energy modelers inputs data to create the building model, including weather, building orientation, geometry, constructions, occupant schedules, and energy-using equipment. The calculation engine solves equations rooted in thermodynamics and building science. A single whole-building simulation can take seconds to hours to run, depending on the level of detail and complexity in the analysis.

Results are typically reported for annual performance and include the space cooling and heating loads, daylighting impacts, equipment energy use, resource consumption, energy costs, and other performance-related parameters. This information can help designers make better informed, cost-effective decisions that improve the performance and reduce the environmental impact of buildings.

The Benefits of Building Energy Analysis

A building energy analysis for new construction or retrofit building projects can reduce operational costs, reduce project first costs, and improve occupant satisfaction. For example, building energy analysis support an integrated design process (IDP). Through IDP, outcome-based goals are established and agreed upon by project stakeholders. BEM supplies the team the data needed to make strategic, best-value tradeoffs between upfront project costs and annual building energy costs. The expense of modeling services usually represents a marginal incremental cost to the project, yet can influence significant reductions in annual energy costs. Quantifying performance tradeoffs helps maximize an owner’s return on investment for building efficiency, integrated systems, and renewable energy components.

A building energy analysis can also be used with existing buildings to check and inform operations. By comparing the results of building energy modeling with the actual performance of a building, owners can identify performance deficiencies. The building energy analysis acts as a benchmark against which to compare actual whole-building, system, or equipment-level performance, to ensure everything is working correctly. Resolving inconsistencies between analysis performance and actual performance can reveal deviations from ideal operation and opportunities for improvement. In general, there are three ways that a building energy analysis can provide value to a project and benefit the owner.

◊ Reduced First Costs

◊ Reduced Operating Costs

◊ Improved Occupant Satisfaction

Finding Purpose in a Building Energy Analysis

A building energy analysis can be used to compare project efficiency options, comply with codes or green building certification requirements, predict savings, and inform actual performance.

Incorporating a building energy analysis within building efficiency projects has become increasingly common as owners recognize its value for improving existing building performance or supporting the design of high-performance buildings. In addition, a building energy analysis may be required for demonstrating performance claims in green building certification programs and local, state, or federal efficiency programs. A building energy analysis can support projects in meeting a myriad of objectives.

Common uses for a building energy analysis are:

◊ Modeling to Compare

◊ Modeling to Comply

◊ Modeling to Predict

The overarching purpose can influence the modeler’s focus, the scope of work, and the required level of effort. Understanding how efforts differ can help an owner define the project modeling scope and secure the services needed.

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Other Services

2D/3D Building As-Builts

As-builts are sets of detailed drawings that reflect modifications made during the construction process of buildings that deviates from the original design. They document what the existing conditions are and can be produced as a 2D drawing set or a 3D model showing size, shape, and location.

The final sets of as-built drawings can be useful for design, construction, renovation, asset management, and building records as they hold important information, such as:

◊ Design changes

◊ Field changes

◊ Any modification to the final project

If you have 3D models of your site, then you can create site safety procedures as well as maintenance zoning requirements.

MEP As-Builts

MEP stands for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. MEP as-built drawings are an essential process in any project, especially to maintain a project’s lifecycle after construction has ended. In order to do that, high-quality and accurate MEP drawings are used to help communicate information regarding the construction, installation, and function of MEP components by utilizing familiar symbols, units of measurement, and notation systems.

Clash Detection Services

In Building Information Modeling (BIM), clash detection is the technique of identifying if, where, or how two parts of the building (e.g., plumbing and walls) interfere with one another. It is used in pre-construction and design phases in the field to prevent construction issues from happening in the first place and is executed through a highly sophisticated and computerized analysis of multiple 3D models

BIM For Fabrication

BIM stands for Building Information Modeling, which is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its entire life cycle using a combination of information-rich 3D models and associated structured data such as product, execution, and handover information. BIM-based practices promote the integration of design, manufacturing, and construction processes. This enables higher transparency, better collaboration, and interoperability among stakeholders in the digital fabrication process.

Drone Site Mapping

Drone mapping is an aerial survey conducted by a drone and specialist cameras, which can include RGB (for photogrammetry), multispectral, thermal or LiDAR sensors. This combination of drones and high-resolution cameras enables the collection of highly-accurate data that can help to build high-resolution, centimeter-accurate 3D and 2D maps and models extremely quickly.