{"id":731,"date":"2019-10-07T12:16:37","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T12:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecotocongroup.com\/?p=731"},"modified":"2025-05-22T07:53:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T07:53:42","slug":"building-energy-modeling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/building-energy-modeling\/","title":{"rendered":"The Many Benefits of Building Energy Modeling"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/span>What is Building Energy Modeling?<\/span><\/h1>\n

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Energy Modeling, short for <\/span>Building Energy Modeling (BEM)<\/b><\/a>, is a computer simulation of a building used to determine or estimate building energy usage. BEM<\/a> is a versatile, multi-purpose tool that is used in new building and retrofit design, code compliance, green certification, qualification for tax credits and utility incentives, and real-time building control.\u00a0 BEM is also used in large-scale analysis to develop building energy efficiency codes and inform policy decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>How does it work?<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

A virtual building is created in a software package, the building components are entered, and the building is simulated over the duration of the one year using a weather file.<\/span><\/p>\n

This allows for multiple scenarios to balance the lowest construction cost with the lowest annual energy cost.\u00a0 The estimated energy cost of using different windows, walls, roofs and HVAC<\/a> systems can all be quantified.\u00a0 This is how we decide for example, if adding wall insulation provides a shorter payback than installing a more efficient boiler or vice versa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Energy modeling is required for<\/b> LEED certification<\/b><\/a>.<\/b>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/span>How Building Energy Modeling (BEM) is used?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n