search

This paper highlights the difficulty of using energy simulations to answer general questions in typical  building design scenarios. By analyzing the question, it is identified that problems of a search-based nature may encounter situations where an exhaustive search is impractical with reasonable resources. This paper presents the method of using heuristics to solve such questions within just a few simulations. While the solutions may not necessarily be guaranteed to be global or ideal, they are optimal within reasonable limits and sufficient for the types  of questions addressed.