{"id":9690,"date":"2017-11-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"uncategorized\/using-building-energy-modeling-to-work-toward-zero-energy-status\/"},"modified":"2020-07-29T15:25:19","modified_gmt":"2020-07-29T15:25:19","slug":"building-energy-modeling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"news\/building-energy-modeling\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Building Energy Modeling to Work Toward Zero Energy Status"},"content":{"rendered":"

Approximately 48 percent of energy in the U.S. goes to residential and commercial buildings. For most properties, energy use is the top operating expense; it\u2019s common to see an average of one-third of a typical operating budget being spent on energy consumption. Thankfully, there are ways around this.<\/em> Commercial building and business owners can reduce operating expenses and work toward zero energy status by becoming more energy efficient, thus increasing profits and property asset values. It begins with building energy modeling.<\/p>\n

Using Building Energy Modeling to Achieve a Zero Energy Building<\/strong><\/h2>\n

And one of the key initial components to achieve zero energy begins with building energy modeling. Energy modeling uses computer-based software to simulate a building\u2019s energy usage which helps to determine the most cost effective mix of energy saving technologies such as insulation, living walls<\/a>, heating and cooling, windows, shading systems, hot water use, appliances, ventilation, solar PV, daylighting, smart energy management systems and zero energy commercial building construction costs.<\/p>\n

Predicting Energy Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To predict energy performance as closely as possible, energy simulation takes into account variables such as local climate data, the commercial building location, building orientation, as well as occupancy and operational schedules.<\/p>\n

Achieving Zero Energy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By drastically reducing energy use, zero energy buildings can slash energy demands by supplying energy needs from renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and sustainable building designs<\/a>. Not only do zero energy buildings cut net energy use and net carbon emissions, but they also decrease the cost of ownership, enhance quality of life for occupants and much more.<\/p>\n

Benefits of Building Energy Modeling<\/strong><\/h2>\n