simplified methods

“Energy performance of buildings” estensive international research activities have been carried out on the elaboration and adoption of standards containing common methodologies for building energy performance assessment. One important item concerns the definition of a simplified method for the calculation of energy use for space heating and cooling (ISO/FDIS 13790). A simplified quasi-steady state calculation method is presented in this standard.

The updated ISO 13790 Standard is part of the new set of CEN Standards that supports the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirement for a general framework for calculation of the energy consumption of buildings. The Standard sets out procedures for space heating and cooling energy calculations, allowing the use of three different methods: a simplified monthly quasi-steady state method, a simple-hourly method and detailed simulation. This paper examines the implications of allowing different methods to be used for assessing the energy usage.