Using measured indoor environment parameters for calibration of building simulation model: a passive house case study

Simulation-aided commissioning is being increasingly used to address discrepancies between predicted and actual energy consumption in modern buildings. Calibration of building model, developed using Building Energy Performance Simulation (BEPS), represents a crucial part of the commissioning process. Most of current calibration methodologies focus on matching of measured and simulated energy consumption. The objective of the present study was to perform a calibration of a building model of a passive house located in Næstved, Denmark, using measured data for operative temperature (Top), relative humidity (RH) and concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2). Continuous monitoring of indoor environmental parameters was conducted in all zones for 30 days. The Coefficient of Variation of the Root Mean Square Error (CV(RMSE)) was used to evaluate agreement between simulated and measured data. CV(RMSE) did not demonstrate a continuous improvement along each iteration, however after all the required adjustments in the model, the initial limits were satisfied. A calibrated state was obtained after 10 significant iterations with respect to regulation of ventilation system, window opening and solar shading devices. Lowest value of CV(RMSE) was achieved in the southwest bedroom and was equal to 3 % for operative temperature, 11.3 % for CO2 and 5.2 % for RH.