Conference Paper

Proceedings of SimBuild Conference 2024

A Comparative Case Study of Heuristic Optimization of an Affordable Housing Development Against a Best Practice Design

Robert Edward Best, Ananth Iyengar, Melinda Lai, Sara Tepfer, Terence Caulkins
Arup, United States of America

Abstract: A comparison of an affordable housing complex in Visalia, California was performed using a genetic algorithm to optimize energy conservation measures from a prior low-energy design by design practitioners. Proposed ECMs were developed and evaluated with a cloud-based workflow using NSGA-II to create combinations of ECMs tested against carbon, cost, and Time Dependent Valuation. Numerous lower carbon solutions were identified, with the greatest saving 9%. The biggest determinant of savings was the selected HVAC system, with passive strategies yielding limited savings. Despite this magnitude of savings, the approach yields positive payback and financeable solutions with greater stability in energy cost against future climate changes.
Keywords: Genetic algorithm, Affordable housing, Optimization, Future Climate
Pages: 209 - 220
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