An Improved Method Of Modeling Infiltration In Commercial Building Energy Models

Published

June 1, 2016

Author(s)

Lisa C. Ng, Steven J. Emmerich, Andrew K. Persily

Abstract

Different strategies for improving building envelope thermal performance are being implemented in commercial building design and construction as well as being incorporated into ASHRAE standards and other design requirements. The energy impacts of unintended infiltration on building energy use have been shown to be significant. As HVAC equipment and other building sytems continue to become more efficient, the energy loss asssociated with building envelope leakage is becoming an even greater percentage of the total building energy consumed. However, current energy simulation software and design methods are generally not able to accurately account for envelope infiltration and the impacts of improved airtightness. New strategies to incorporate airflow calculations into building energy calculations are proposed in this paper. These methods, based on infiltration rates calculated using detailed multizone airflow models, are more accurate than current approaches and easier to apply than multizone airflow modeling.

Proceedings Title

Noting from paper Tech Note #1829 Pub.#914500

Conference Dates

September 10-12, 2014

Conference Location

Atlanta, GA

Conference Title

2014 ASHRAE/IBPSA-USA Building Simulation Conference

Pub Type

Conferences

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Citation

Ng, L. , Emmerich, S. and Persily, A. (2016), An Improved Method Of Modeling Infiltration In Commercial Building Energy Models, Noting from paper Tech Note #1829 Pub.#914500, Atlanta, GA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=915966 (Accessed March 13, 2025)