November 2, 2022
Thermal energy modelling improves low carbon building performance
Infinitas is pleased to offer IES Virtual Environment thermal energy modelling to calculate the dynamic heating demands of homes and buildings, providing the next generation of innovative and accurate building heating designs.
The pioneering technology, which creates a 3D computer simulation of a building, can predict how the temperature and heat demand will vary from room to room, day to night and through the seasons.
Unlike traditional static calculations, IESVE uses intuitive technology to understand how subtle changes in building design, materials, and construction will affect heat loss and demand throughout the year to create buildings with optimum energy efficiencies.
Throughout the development, we are overseeing the thermal energy modelling of several new buildings. The 3D models with embedded construction types and operational temperatures will enable accurate design and sizing of a communal ground source heat pump system, including input to the ground collector design. This replaces the traditional room by rooms heat loss calculations which can be time-consuming and do not allow for dynamic results as a result of sun position and real-life weather conditions for the local area.
The project will look at overheating, which is a particular problem for high-rise blocks with large areas of glazing, as excess heat is trapped during summer months, causing rooms to become excessively warm. The model will allow overheating solutions to be investigated.
By looking at where additional shading could be created to reflect the sun, room orientation and how construction materials affect energy calculations, the software enables contractors to build better homes and buildings for the future. It ensures that traditional issues around overheating and heat loss can be resolved at the design stage with decisions made on actual modelling of buildings and operating conditions rather than calculated assumptions. The results also allow for accurate heat pump sizing and ground collector design, further improving efficiencies.
Managing Director Laura said that thermal energy modelling can revolutionise heating and cooling calculations and design for buildings in the UK.
“In traditional heat loss calculations, you base your results on static data and outputs. Dynamic thermal modelling allows you to explore and re-evaluate calculations to understand how different conditions affect the building throughout the year.
The software can revolutionise the design of heating and cooling systems for existing and new buildings, enabling contractors to create the right low-carbon solutions of the future which are environmentally optimised for better living and working.”
Laura Bishop, Managing Director at Infinitas
If you have a project which you feel would benefit from IESVE Modelling or would like to find out more, please get in touch by calling Laura on 01636 529563 or emailing the team at info@infinitas-design.co.uk.