Development and use of equation based simulation tools to support audit of commercial buildings

A series of new simulation tools are being developed to help the building energy auditor in establishing his diagnosis (including benchmarking and detailed analysis of actual energy consumption) and in evaluating the selected Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs).  The Building-HVAC System global models presented here include simplified models of building zones and of HVAC equipment. Only a limited number of easily identifiable parameters are required. The simplicity of the models and the use of an equation solver to run the simulation ensure good robustness and full transparency. The development, the implementation and the use of these models are discussed in the present paper. Focus is also given to the calibration of the tools to monthly utility bills.