Dynamic simulation of existing buildings: considerations on the model calibration

Dynamic energy simulation is increasingly used to design retrofit interventions in existing buildings. Energy savings are correctly predicted if the simulation model is carefully calibrated against measured data. In this study the same building storey is simulated by four different research groups with different dynamic simulation tools (EnergyPlus, TRNSYS, IDA ICE). The building envelope is simulated in free floating and a parametric analysis to envelope properties and users’ behaviour is carried out. A set of basic information and measurements on the building is made available to three groups, while detailed information and measured data are provided to the fourth one. From the comparison among calibrated models it is concluded that, for a good calibration of a well-insulated building model, the absence of data regarding users’ behaviour can be more critical than detailed measurements on the envelope properties.