Modeling Energy Consumption and Heat Exchange of Buildings

Abstract

This research thesis investigates energy consumption and thermal dynamics in buildings, with a focus on achieving energy efficiency and indoor comfort in cold-climate regions like Norway. There is a necessity for the exploration of innovative approaches to combat energy waste and reduce consumption.

Understanding various factors, including energy usage patterns, occupant behavior, climate conditions, heat transfer characteristics, and ventilation requirements, is crucial for energy optimization. This thesis presents the development of a continuous-time mathematical heating model for a building unit based on discretized formulas of mass and energy balances. To achieve precise predictions, the model integrates a correlation between numerical and analytical results. The model simulates indoor temperature under various scenarios and environments. The model simulates the building's response and tests its adaptability to different parameters to test its accuracy.

Diverse buildings with varying criteria are also included to evaluate the model's behavior under different conditions. The study explores the dynamic heating models integrating smart sensors and energy control units to address heating challenges and improve energy efficiency. Findings hold relevance beyond Norway, offering valuable insights for other regions. The model's versatility paves the way for further research by validating the model with additional data, analyzing energy efficiency for various building designs, and evaluating its performance in complex residential buildings.