BIM and Building Performance Modeling Integration, in Minimizing the Annual Energy Demand of Typical Cypriot Dwellings

ABSTRACT: The significance of energy conservation cannot be overstated. Besides, in hot and humid climate conditions annual energy demands is comparatively higher due to air conditioning usage for cooling the living spaces. Total annual energy consumption adds up to nearly 50% of the total energy consumption in Cyprus where thermal insulation is not applied to most dwellings’ external envelopes. In the current study, the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Building Performance Modeling was carried out in order to identify measures to minimize annual energy consumption in a Cypriot single family detached house. For the modeling process two prominent BIM programs namely, Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Ecotect were used. Furthermore, P1-P2 mathematical method and Net Present Value were used for optimization and comparison purposes. As a result, the best combination of conventional construction materials used in Cyprus from energy consumption point of view was proposed. Additionally, in order to improve thermal performance of residences, applying 1.6cm high density Rockwool as the outside insulation layer of roof, using double glazed windows and using solid core doors found to be the most effective and economic measures taking which leads to 8654 Turkish Lira saving in 30 years horizon (July 2012 Prices and rates). In addition, by taking the aforementioned measures, thermal comfort will be increased by 41%. Besides, the sensitivity analysis divulged the intense dependency of net saving as the result of improving thermal performance of dwellings, on the interest rate, material price and electricity tariff changes. A rise in insulation material’s price as well as interest rate increased the payback period while the trend was different for electricity tariff. Additionally, the effect of low quality construction implementation was studied by altering the air change rate in the simulation program. The impact found noticeable, accounting for up to 2300 kWh increase in electricity consumption if the project is poorly implemented. Similarly, increasing the glazing size led to a surge in annual energy demand, as if the fenestration area enlarged to 60%, neutralizes the effect of improving thermal performance of a 20%-glazed residential unit. Keywords: BIM, building performance modeling, Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Ecotect, Cypriot typical houses, annual energy consumption. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………