Energy audits are essential for identifying inefficiencies in buildings and recommending ways to reduce energy consumption and costs. However, certain situations require a deeper analysis, where a standard energy audit may not be enough. In these cases, energy modeling becomes a crucial tool for providing accurate, data-driven insights. Here are five scenarios when an energy audit truly needs the support of an energy model.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are among the largest energy consumers in most buildings. When an energy audit identifies the need for an HVAC upgrade, it’s important to assess how different system options will perform in the specific building...

The advent of machine learning in the energy sector has the potential to bring a golden age for building energy modelers. Imagine being able to generate building geometry from a PDF, or calibrate a model as easily as using the solver function in Excel? Imagine running a pre-simulation that approximates results in real time. These things are already possible and being done on small scale. We just need the right people to step up and develop such tools and offer them open-source or at reasonable prices.

But who will develop the AI tools? And why?

Well, several stakeholders are perhaps unknowingly sitting atop AI gold mines. This series of blog posts aims to assist companies...

Recently, someone used ChatGPT to create 10 Energy Modeling jokes and challenged someone to create better jokes

As the funniest person in the industry, definitely the only instructor with a sense of humor, I am obligated to accept the challenge.

For years, I have collected memes regarding energy modeling and performance design. I will start sharing them if this gets enough views.

In one case study, building commissioning saved a building owner 36% on an annual energy bill of $550,000. large commercial building in a major metropolitan area. The building was constructed in the 1980s and had not undergone any significant upgrades since then. The building owner was interested in reducing energy costs and improving tenant comfort, so they hired a commissioning agent to evaluate the building's systems.

The commissioning agent discovered several issues with the building's HVAC system, including air leaks and improperly calibrated controls. Additionally, the building's lighting system was outdated and inefficient, with many bulbs burnt out or dim. The agent recommended several upgrades to the building's systems...