ASHRAE Standard 209, “Energy Simulation‐Aided Design for Buildings” was created to define reliable and consistent procedures that advance the use of timely energy modeling to quantify the impact of design decisions at the point in time at which they are being made. It defines minimum requirements for providing energy design assistance using building energy simulation and analysis. It is designed to be adopted by building owners and architects seeking a uniform way to specify a scope of work for building energy modeling, as well as other interested organizations.
In this session, you'll hear from three members of the ASHRAE 209 Committee as we outline, through a description of the standard and our own real life examples, how Standard 209 can be used to foster and support an integrative design process incorporating energy simulation. Additional presenters include David Goldwasser from NREL and Al Mitchell from PHIUS.
Over the last 20 years there has been tremendous growth in the use of energy simulation, but many projects still only perform "validation" modeling after design is complete. The real value of energy models is the information they can provide to influence design decisions. Architects and owners often struggle to create a scope of work for modelers, that incorporates this early "design assistance" modeling. At the same time modelers who offer early assistance find they are often competing with firms offering only post design validation models. ASHRAE 209 provides the needed language to let owners and architects specify the modeling scope required for any project and can help to insure that competing modeling proposals can be assessed "apples to apples"
ASHRAE 209 is a tool designed to support the use of energy modeling as part of an integrative design process. The Standard defines 11 different "cycles" of energy simulation a project might incorporate, ranging from simple box models used in concept design, to as-built models used as part of a measurement and verification process.
The presenters will outline the cycles of modeling described in 209, adding real life examples. They will also discuss potential improvements to 209 including better guidance on modeling for carbon reductions and using future weather. They will also query the attendees for ideas and feedback that might be incorporated into future editions of the Standard.