Model Validation and Testing: The Methodological Foundation of ASHRAE Standard 140; Preprint
Ideally, whole-building energy simulation programs model all aspects of a building that influence energy use and thermal and visual comfort for the occupants. An essential component of the development of such computer simulation models is a rigorous program of validation and testing. This paper describes a methodology to evaluate the accuracy of whole-building energy simulation programs. The methodology is also used to identify and diagnose differences in simulation predictions that may be caused by algorithmic differences, modeling limitations, coding errors, or input errors. The methodology has been adopted by ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140 (ANSI/ASHRAE 2001, 2004), Method of Test for the Evaluation of Building Energy Analysis Computer Programs. A summary of the method is included in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (ASHRAE 2005). This paper describes the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140 method of test and its methodological basis. Also discussed are possible future enhancements to Standard 140 and related research recommendations.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-99GO10337
- OSTI ID:
- 889346
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-550-40360
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ACCURACY
ASHRAE STANDARD 140
Buildings
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ENERGY ANALYSIS
EVALUATION
MANUALS
OCCUPANTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
SIMULATION
TESTING
VALIDATION
WHOLE BUILDING ENERGY SIMULATION