C069 -- Fully Integrated Model for Assessing Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality and Moisture Performance

Energy efficiency, indoor air quality and moisture performance are three key measures for assessing the overall performance of buildings. The fully integrated model is developed using a combination mechanism from simultaneously coupling sub-models: EnergyPlus, CONTAM and WUFI. In the present model, the important control variables of temperatures, airflows, and heating-cooling flow control variables are exchanged between all three sub-models. As well, the validity of the present model was verified using paired sample t-test. The values of space heating energy consumption, indoor CO₂ and indoor relative humidity are assumed to be the measures of energy efficiency, indoor air quality and moisture performance. Two scenarios of airtight-fan off and airtight-fan on are defined to compare energy efficiency measure simulated by EnergyPlus, indoor air quality measure simulated by CONTAM and moisture performance measure simulated by WUFI with the values of those measures simulated by the integrated model. ASHRAE Standards 90.1, 62.1 and 160 were used as energy efficiency, indoor air quality and moisture performance criteria. The results showed that the outputs of the optimum scenarios simulated by the single models are different from those obtained with the present integrated model. The reasons for these differences are provided in the paper. Finally, the high accuracy of the present in relation with the single models along with the advantages of using the present model are contained in the paper.