The importance of simulation beyond energy rating

This paper reports on a study of the thermal performance of two-storey apartments in Adelaide, South Australia. The overall design achieved an energy rating score around 7.5 Stars in the Australia’s National Home Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS); however, without air-conditioning some of the spaces were considered too warm during hot weather. Aspects of the building design and operation that contribute to poor performance are investigated. The paper points out that performing simulation to obtain an energy rating of the whole building may lead to incorrect assumptions about the building design, and argues that it is crucial to assess the performance of individual spaces at critical times in addition to performing energy rating.