Evaluation of the Impact of Input-Data Resolution on Building-Energy Simulation Accuracy and Computational Load—A Case Study of a Low-Rise Office Building

Building-energy consumption is the primary aim of urban energy consumption, which can aid in optimization building operation and management techniques, creating sustainable built environments. However, modellers’ understanding relationship between building-energy modelling (BEM) accuracy computational load still qualitative deprived accurate quantitative study. Based on a bottom-up engineering methodology, this study aims to quantitatively explore effects building-model input data with different resolution accuracies simulation results, including evaluation load. According actual parameters case-study building, 108 models varying levels were developed estimate hourly usage annual mean ambient temperature. The results demonstrated that at low levels, geometric such as exterior windows, interior shading exhibited significantly lower loads, resulting reduced errors final performance, whereas occupancy schedule, thermal zoning, HVAC configuration significant declines performance accuracy. This presents methodology applicable majority low-rise, rectangular office structures. Future work would concentrate carrying out comparison tests for forms types while gradually improving automation process enable use appropriate level assessing crucial issue energy-modelling input.