An Integrated Model for Energy-Efficient Building Practices

Abstract

The use of advanced energy-efficient building practices is widely increasing in the international marketplace. These include building commissioning, energy simulation, measurement and verification, carbon dioxide monitoring as well as controllability of artificial lighting and ventilation systems. These processes should not be looked upon in isolation because after all, they aim at achieving almost the same green goals but acting on different sustainable criteria or life stages. It is also noted that a common obstacle for adopting such practices in the marketplace is their perceived high cost owing to the additional time and expertise required. Hence, the study proposes that their optimized integration is the cornerstone to be able to reach high building performance. This is performed through a cohesive qualitative and quantitative methodology to develop an integrated model for the abovementioned green building practices. Accordingly, relevant literature studies are studied to propose four loops of integration. This is complimented by the result of an online questionnaire among worldwide practitioners to pinpoint interesting interrelations among some of these practices. Then the results are integrated into a stock and flow diagram to define interrelations and problematic areas according to four proposed integration loops; L1: procedure, L2: temporal sequence, L3: pros and L4: cons. The study uses system dynamic modelling tools to represent the integration diagram proposed for such green building practices. Eventually, the results of the study present means of integrating advanced energy-efficient building practices as subcomponents of a larger system integration model to reach higher building energy performance targets. This can be later developed in building management plans and applications.