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Interoperable software makes it possible to seamlessly exchange data among different compliant applications. Seamless data exchange substantially saves time and resources that makes the use of energy software feasible in industry projects where it normally is not used. Software interoperability offers another important benefit: opportunity to increase the quality of building energy simulation through simultaneous interaction of multiple design and simulation tools that is possible because of direct data exchange among them. This paper discusses the new IFC HVAC extension schemata that are included in the latest release of the IFC data model (IFC2x2). It describes the new model functionalities and lists the many industry processes now supported by the IFC data model. The paper also describes an example of interoperable software environment in which data are exchanged among a CAD tool, a duct sizing and layout tool, and EnergyPlus that result in a more representative simulation of a building’s energy performance significantly sooner than is normally attainable. Data exchange in this example is based on the IFC2x version of the data model of buildings from the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI). In addition, the paper also discusses the possible gains from interoperable simulation of building energy as some of the current issues in data exchange for such simulation.