Paper Conference
Proceedings of SimBuild Conference 2012: 5th conference of IBPSA USA
 
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Development of a Flexible, Multizone, Multifamily Building Simulation Model
Mini Malhotra, Piljae ImOak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
Abstract: As weatherization of multifamily buildings becomes more widespread, improvement is needed in energy audit tools for multifamily buildings. On the wish list of field experts is the capability to model multizone buildings (i.e., one thermal zone per dwelling unit) with simplified user input to improve analysis of decentralized and centralized HVAC and domestic hot water systems without creating detailed building models. To provide the desired capabilities, development of an enhanced energy audit tool was begun in 2011. The tool is a strategically structured, flexible, one-zone-per-unit DOE-2.1e model coupled with a simplified user interface to model small to large multifamily buildings with decentralized or centralized systems and associated energy measures. This paper describes the modeling concept and its implementation. Pages: 32 - 39 Paper:simbuild2012_01b_2_Malhotra