Lighting Design and Energy Simulation of a Residential House
Yogesh Varshney
1 1
, R. K. Viral
1 2
and Divya Asija
1 3
1
Amity School of Engineering And Technology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida, India
Keywords: Simulation, Energy-Efficient, Dwelling, Insights, Modelling.
Abstract: Building Energy Simulation is a process for assessing and analyzing the building’s energy performance.
Building Energy Simulation (BES) helps in to designing energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. The main
objective of BES is to predict the usage of energy in a building throughout its lifecycle. According to studies,
the building consumes 40% of global energy, contributing to global warming and many other environmental
causes.The lighting analysis of a single-family dwelling model is the main topic of the building energy
simulation study. The goal is to employ first-form modeling to assess the energy usage and lighting system
performance in a representative single-family home. The lighting study considers several variables, including
fixture types, lighting settings, and the use of natural sunshine. The simulation model offers insights into
trends in lighting energy usage, peak demand times, and potential energy-saving solutions. The study
contributes to a better knowledge of lighting efficiency in single-family homes by evaluating the energy
performance of the lighting system. The research findings can help with decision-making for improving
lighting design, energy-efficient technology, and control methods to improve overall energy performance in
residential buildings. This paper provides helpful insights for energy-efficient lighting design and decision-
making in the residential sector by summarising the lighting study of a single-family house model using
building energy simulation.
1 INTRODUCTION
Building Energy develops, engineers, builds, and
runs projects as part of its vertically integrated
renewable energy business. In 2010 in Milan, Italy,
Building Energy was established. The corporation
launched a venture in the solar sector with the goal of
geographical and technological expansion [M.
Neardey, 2019].
A simulation is an ongoing replica of how a
system or process might work in the actual world.
Models must be used in simulations; the model
reflects the essential traits or behaviours of the chosen
system or process, whilst the simulation depicts the
model's development through time. Computers are
frequently utilised to run the simulation [L. P
Chung,2019].
Commercial, residential, and industrial
buildings use more than three quads of energy,
a
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0741-7129
b
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7220-2742
c
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4978-4216
according to U.S. Energy Information Administration
(Washington, DC, USA). By the year 2020, all US
energy usage [ Tobias Maile, 2007]. Thus, lowering
energy use and creating buildings that are energy
efficient is important for the development of nations.
“BES aids in the optimization of designers!" evaluate
a building's energy efficiency before it is built and
aids in the development of extremely energy-efficient
structures and the advancement of sustainability. A
smart building designer mustcombine the demands
for thermal and visual comfort with the
environmental conditions that may vary dramatically
during the year, such as air temperature, humidity,
sun radiation, wind speed, and direction, etc. By
simulating the building's energy performance under
these situations, it is possible to find the best
conditions that may vary dramatically during the
year, such as air temperature, humidity, sun radiation,
wind speed, and direction, etc. By simulating the
Varshney, Y., Viral, R. and Asija, D.
Lighting Design and Energy Simulation of a Residential House.
DOI: 10.5220/0012504500003808
Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Intelligent and Sustainable Power and Energy Systems (ISPES 2023), pages 15-23
ISBN: 978-989-758-689-7
Proceedings Copyright © 2024 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda.
15
building's energy performance under these situations,
it is possible to find the best design options, control
setups, and energy-saving measures. This
information aids decision-makers in making choices
on equipment selection, building envelope design,
etc. It also aids in assessing the financial viability of
various design options, energy-saving measures, and
equipment upgrades. and improve reduced utility
costs, decreased maintenance & operating costs.
A BEM program's inputs include information on
a building's geometry, building materials, lighting,
HVAC, refrigeration, water heating, renewable
generation system configurations, component
efficiency, and control techniques. It also collects
information on how the building is used, such as
descriptions of the lighting, plug loads, and
thermostat settings as well as occupancy schedules.
1.2 Basic Principles of Energy Simulation
The energy efficiency of a specific structure and the
thermal comfort of its occupants are predicted by
BES tools [Tobias Maile, 2007]. We are all aware that
the accuracy of the results generated by any
simulation programme depends on the input data i.e.
Building orientation, internal equipments loads,
HVAC systems and parts, climate information,
operational plans, and timetables make up the
majority of the input. A BEM program's inputs
include configurations, component efficiencies, and
control strategies., as shown in Figure 1 which
describes the complete simulation engine [Tobias
Maile, 2007]. BES programmes use qualified
equations and methodologies to approximate their
predictions.
Figure 1: General Flow of Simulation Engine.
Table 1: Necessary data for Energy Modelling [ Donald R.
Wulfinghoff, 2010].
Category
Purpose
Source
Geographical
Location
precise load
calculations depending
on the external
environment
Weather file
Geometry
Plan
Section
Elevation
Model geometrical
attributes of buildings
and any site specific
features (shading,
reflection of trees or
building)
Architectural
drawings
Construction
Wall
Roof
Window
Overhangs
Calculating thermal
load and daylighting
using model building
envelope attributes
ECBC
ISHRAE
CBRI
ASHRAE
Daylighting and
lighting
Layout
Technology
and Controls
Visual Comfort
Reducing LPD
Integration with
daylight
Lighting
consultant
Vendors
ISLE/IES
Internal load
Usage
Schedule
People,
equipment,
lighting
Accurately capture
sources of internal heat
gains within building
Client
Energy
modeller
Benchmar
king Data
Nameplat
e Data
HVAC (type and
controls)
Component
Specification
Control
strategy
Layout and
distribution
Sizing the
system
Design
Optimization
Comfort
satisfaction
HVAC
consultant
ASHRAE/I
SHRAE
ARI
ECBC
1.3 Algorithm for Conduction of
Building Energy Simulation
Building Energy Simulation procedure includes a
number of processes to forecast a building's energy
performance and pinpoint prospective upgrades. This
summarizes all stage summaries, i.e.
Step 1: Data Gathering: The initial phase in the
energy modelling process is to gather comprehensive
data regarding the architecture, systems, and
operations of the building [ Garg Vishal, 2010].
Step 2: Choosing a Software Tool Consider the
following aspects while choosing the appropriate tool
for your project [ Garg Vishal, 2010].
Step 3: Developing the energy model: Beginning the
development of the energy model requires the
ISPES 2023 - International Conference on Intelligent and Sustainable Power and Energy Systems
16
collection of data and the selection of a software tool
[Garg Vishal, 2010].
Step 4: Reviewing and analyzing the results should
include looking at things like energy usage, peak
loads, comfort levels, etc [ Garg Vishal, 2010].
Step 5: Refine and optimize: If the simulation does
not get the desired results, then adjust the simulation's
settings and repeat the procedure to see how it affects
the building model [Garg Vishal, 2010].
Table 2: Application and Limitation of BES.
S.No.
Application
Limitation
1
Energy analysis of the
entire building
Uncertainty in input
data
2
Studies on daylighting
and natural ventilation
[Rawal Rajan,2010].
Making assumptions
and simplifying
complex situations
3
HVAC System Design
[Martina Fischer, 2007]
Time Consumption
4
Retrofit Analysis
Complexity of
modelling
5
Building Stock Study
Lack of data
availability
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
Numerous case studies have been done to examine
how well lighting uses energy in various building
types, such as workplaces, homes, and educational
facilities. These studies demonstrate how building
energy simulation can be used to observe lighting
energy use and guide the development of energy-
saving strategies.
Here, I am using the single-family house for
lighting analysis which consists of some equipment
like a dishwasher, heater, television, etc., and
analyzes the usage of electricity using graphs and
tables.
Table 3: Literature Review.
Author(s)
Details
Year
Donald R.
Wulfinghoff,
Rajan Awal,
Vishal Garg
Energy
Simulation
provides a
powerful tool
for evaluating
the energy
performance
of buildings
and making
informed
design
decisions. It
allows us to
explore
different
strategies and
technologies
to achieve
energy
efficiency and
sustainability
.
2010
Joseph J.
Romm
Energy
simulation
software
allows the
simulation of
building
systems
including
HVAC,
lighting, and
renewable
energy
integration .
2006
Michael
E.Casper
simulation
software
allows for
detailed
analysis of
lighting
systems,
considering
factors such
as fixture
types etc .
2007
Dikshu C.
Kukreja
Energy
simulation
software
enables
designer to
evaluate
different
lighting
design
options and
optimize
2001
Lighting Design and Energy Simulation of a Residential House
17
energy
performance
while
maintaining
visual
comfort .
Drury B.
Crawley
Building
Energy
Simulation
provides a
powerful tool
for evaluating
the energy
performance
of buildings
and making
informed
design
decisions. It
allow us to
explore
different
strategies and
technologies
to achieve
energy
efficiency and
sustainability.
Building
energy
simulation is
the compass
that points
architects and
engineers
towards a
greener, more
sustainable
future.
2003
Subrato
Chandra
When
evaluating
energy
retrofit
options,
energy
simulation
software
provides the
valuable tool
for assessing
in the
potential
energy
savings and
payback
periods of
various
measures.
Simulation
software
serves as the
financial and
environmental
compass for
energy
retrofits,
pointing us in
the direction
of cost
savings and
sustainability.
2005
3 BUILDING ENERGY
SIMULATION TOOLS
Computer programmes for simulating building
energy use can be thoroughly analyzed using
computer-based simulation software, which is
designed to do this. Buildings typically employ about
one-third of their total head space for lighting and
improving the thermal conditions of the homes.
Designers today require technologies that provide
answers to highly specific questions very early in the
design process. Software for simulating energy can
help designers think through certain options.
Additionally, designers can replicate the cost of
energy in existing buildings under their current
conditions and provide the thermal behavior of
buildings prior to their construction. The following
variable can also be calculated using software tools in
addition to energy consumption modelling [ Dikshu C.
Kukreja,2001].
3.1 Energy Plus
Energy Plus (Version 2.1) creates a "new generation"
simulation engine, seen in Figure2, by combining the
best elements of the DOE-2 and BLAST energy
simulation engines. Users of the programme Energy
Plus may simulate the energy use of a whole building
as well as model their own water and energy use. It is
a text-based programme that runs on a console and
reads input and output. A variety of tools are included
with it, including IDF-Editor, which has a
straightforward spreadsheet-like user interface for
producing input files. It is a straightforward data-in,
data-out programme, but it has a few graphical user
interfaces to make it simpler to use. The American
Department of Energy is funding the initiative[
Subrato Chandra, 2005].
Energy Plus is based on an integrated (loads and
systems modeling) methodology, which yields better
estimates of many outcome factors, such as thermal
comfort and more precise predictions of temperature
in spaces. The preferred heat-balanced-based
methodology of AHSRAE is used in the load
calculations [Tobias Maile, 2007].
Energy Plus is based on an integrated (loads and
systems modeling) methodology, which yields better
estimates of many outcome factors, such as thermal
comfort and more precise predictions of temperature
in spaces. The preferred heat-balanced-based
methodology of AHSRAE is used in the load
calculations [Tobias Maile, 2007].
ISPES 2023 - International Conference on Intelligent and Sustainable Power and Energy Systems
18
Figure2: The Program Structure of Energy Plus [Tobias
Maile, 2007].
Due to streamlined management schemes and
idealized HVAC components, Although there are
significant limitations during building operation,
Energy Plus enables the flexibility and capability to
be used throughout the whole life cycle of a structure.
3.2 eQuest
One of the most often utilised energy modelling tools
throughout the early stages of design is eQuest. Its
full name, rapid Energy Simulation Tool, inspired its
moniker, and it truly is a very rapid way to do energy
simulations. James J. Hirsch & Associates created the
programme with assistance from the US Department
of Energy. [Subrato Chandra, 2005].
The so-called Schematic Design (SDW) and
Design Development Wizards (DDW) are two of the
design wizards offered by eQUEST. Both
depict recognisable design phases, albeit the amount
of detail in each varies greatly. Data entry may be
made simpler by using the default parameters of both
wizards.
Figure 3: Wizards in eQUEST.
As depict in Figure 3, It is possible to switch
between less-detailed wizards and more-detailed
explanations of the structure. The detailed mode,
which allows all accessible parameters to be set and
modified in accordance with definitions found in the
DOE-2 engine, is the fundamental idea behind
eQUEST. Another feature of this tool is the Energy-
Efficiency Measures, which permit quick
differentiation of particular input parameters (such as
capacity values of a coil). Almost all of the
parameters that are provided in the wizard can be
changed using this tool although it can only be used
in SDW or DDW mode, is a comparable wizard.
It offers two options for importing CAD
programme building geometry data. Both are based
on gbXML, one on DWG format. Figure 4 depicts
both of them.
Figure 4: Data exchange capabilities of eQUEST.
3.3 Open Studio
Open Studio is an open-source "collection of software
tools to support whole building energy modeling
using Energy Plus and advanced daylight analysis
using Radiance." The National Renewable Energy
Laboratory, a division of the United States
Department of Energy, produced the project [Subrato
Chandra, 2005]. Both a Command Line Interface (CLI)
and a Software Development Kit (SDK) are
components of the Open Studio SDK. The application
programming interface (API) provided by the Open
Studio SDK theoretically allows access to the Energy
Plus modelling engine [Drury B. Crawley, 2003]. This
interface offers a variety of advantages, including a
robust, version-controlled interface, space typology
abstractions that make it simpler for end users to
model buildings, and language bindings in Ruby,
Python, and C-Sharp that make it more accessible to
users acquainted with these languages. Support for
large-scale analysis, such as design optimisation,
model input calibration, building stock analysis to
identify buildings that are suitable for particular
programmes, or prototype analysis to create typical
savings figures, is one area of concentration for the
Open Studio project.
Lighting Design and Energy Simulation of a Residential House
19
Table 4: Review of building energy software tools.
Tools
Characteristi
cs
Merits
Demerits
Ener
gy
Plus
Inputs:
Extensive
summary
Output
s: Text,
IDF/IDD
GUIs:
Use 3rd
party GUIs
Algorit
hms:
Surface heat
balance;
Zone air
heat
balance.
Timest
eps: 1 to 60
minutes
Weath
er Data:
Hourly or
sub-hourly
User
Customizati
on: EMS
(Energy
Managemen
t System),
External
Interface
Copyri
ght: Open
source
Langu
age: Fortran
Compr
ehensive
modelling
Hourly
time step
analysis
Climat
e-specific
simulation
Parame
tric
simulations
Detaile
d
component
modelling
Therm
al comfort
analysis
Renew
able energy
integration
Open-
source and
extensible
Large user
community
Compl
exity
Steep
learning
curve
Comm
and-line
interface
Comp
utational
resource
requiremen
ts
eQU
EST
Inputs:
Template
based
Output
s:
Standardize
d
GUIs:
Template
based
Algorit
hms:
Calculation
based
Templa
te-based
interface
Whole-
building
energy
simulation
HVAC
system
analysis and
optimization
Parame
tric
simulations
Limite
d flexibility
Relian
ce on pre-
defined
templates
User
interface
may not be
intuitive for
complex
simulations
Limite
d
Timest
eps: Pre-
defined
Weath
er Data:
Pre-selected
HVAC
: Template
driven
User
Customizati
on: Limited
Copyri
ght:
Proprietary
Langu
age: English
Compli
ance with
energy
codes and
standards
Econo
mic analysis
and life-
cycle cost
optimization
Detaile
d energy
consumptio
n
breakdown
Reporti
ng and
results
visualizatio
n
availability
of user
support and
community
Ope
n
Stud
io
Inputs:
Customizab
le
Output
s: Versatile
GUIs:
Graphical
Algorit
hms:
Scripting
Timest
ep: Flexible
Weath
er data:
Extensive
HVAC
: Detailed
User
customizati
on:
Extensible
Langua
ge:
Ruby
Graphi
cal interface
Integra
tion with
Energy Plus
Compo
nent-based
modeling
Parame
tric
simulations
Whole-
building
energy
simulation
HVAC
system
design and
optimization
Daylig
hting and
shading
analysis
Reporti
ng and
results
visualizatio
n
Workfl
ow
automation
Learni
ng curve
Plugin
dependenci
es for
certain
features
Limite
d
availability
of pre-
defined
templates
Limite
d user
community
and support
compared
to larger
software
platforms
ISPES 2023 - International Conference on Intelligent and Sustainable Power and Energy Systems
20
4 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
The file which is used for simulation whose name is
single-family house, I referred the file from Energy
Plus Software basics file [Joseph J. Romm, 2006].
In this section, we will analyze only the lighting
load case in an input IDF file whose name is Single
Family House.
In this house, we define building construction,
geometry, schedule, etc. Here, we use the refrigerator,
dishwasher, fans, etc. In this file, we define many
parameters but discuss only parameters responsible
for lighting load. In this simulation, we use the
weather file of New Delhi which is available on the
Energy Plus official website.
Now, we edit the input IDF file of the building by
clicking the edit IDF Editor. After editing the file,
click on simulate button and the simulation screen is
pop- up on the screen.
Now, we use pictures and graphs of data which we
get after simulation in HTML form from HTML file
as shown in Tables 5,6,7 and Figure 5,6,7.
Here, Table 5 as well as Figure 5 shows the data
which come after the simulation of the domestic
building which explains how much site and source
energy is used in this domestic building.
Total site energy in a building refers to the
complete energy consumption encompassing all
energy sources and end uses associated with the
building and its operations. It includes the energy
used for heating, cooling, lighting, plug loads, and
other building systems.
Net site energy in a building refers to the energy
consumed by the building from external sources,
minus any energy generated on-site through
renewable or alternative energy systems. It represents
the actual energy that needs to be supplied from
external sources to meet the building's energy
demands.
Net source energy in a building refers to the total
energy consumed by the building, accounting for both
the energy consumed on-site and the energy required
for the production, transmission, and distribution of
the energy from primary sources.
Total source energy in a building is the total
amount of energy used during the course of the
building's full life cycle, including the energy utilized
inside the structure as well as the energy needed for
the extraction, processing, and delivery of all energy
sources.
This data explain the total energy usage of total
site energy, net site energy, total source energy, and
net source energy in this domestic building.
Table 5: Site and Source Energy Data.
Total
Energy
[kBtu]
Energy Per
Total
Building
Area
[kBtu/ft2]
Energy Per
Conditioned
Building Area
[kBtu/ft2]
Total
Site
Energy
4118.24
1.15
1.73
Net Site
Energy
4118.24
1.15
1.73
Total
Source
Energy
13042.48
3.66
5.49
Net
Source
Energy
13042.48
3.66
5.49
Figure 5: Relation b/w Site and Source Energy.
Table 6: Interior Lighting Load Data.
Zone
Name
Lighti
ng
Power
Densit
y
[Btu/h
-ft2]
Total
Power
[Btu/h
]
Full
Load
Hour
s/We
ek
[hr]
Cons
umpt
ion
[kW
h]
LIVI
NG
HAR
DWI
RED
LIVI
NG_
UNIT
1
0.3335
792.7
3
58.88
60.58
4118,244118,24
13042,4
8
13042,4
8
1,151,15
3,663,66
1,731,735,495,49
100%
100%
Energy Amount
Types of Site & Source Energy
Energy Per
Condition
ed
Building
Area
[kBtu/ft2]
Energy Per
Total
Building
Area
[kBtu/ft2]
Lighting Design and Energy Simulation of a Residential House
21
LIG
HTI
NG1
LIVI
NG
PLU
G-IN
LIG
HTI
NG1
LIVI
NG_
UNIT
1
0.151
7
360.4
9
58.88
27.55
Interi
or
Light
ing
Total
0.242
6
1153.
22
88.13
Figure 6: Interior Lighting Load.
Table 7: Exterior Lighting Load Data.
Tota
l
Watt
s
Full Load
Hours/We
ek [hr]
Consumpti
on [kWh]
EXTERIOR-
LIGHTS_UNI
T1
43.2
4
84
16.09
GARAGE-
LIGHTS_UNI
T1
7.16
58.88
1.87
Exterior
Lighting Total
50.4
1
17.95
Figure 7: Exterior Lighting Load.
5 CONCLUSION
The lighting case analysis showed that building
energy simulation is a useful tool for assessing and
improving the energy performance of buildings.
Energy simulation software was used in the lighting
case analysis to provide a thorough evaluation of the
energy usage, effectiveness, and effects of the
lighting system on the entire facility.
The investigation emphasized how crucial it is to
take lighting design and control strategies into
account early on in the building design process. It was
possible to determine the most energy-efficient
lighting systems while preserving the desired
illumination quality and occupant comfort by
modelling various scenarios.
In conclusion, the building energy simulation
carried out by the software Energy Plus using graphs
depicting the lighting loads in residential structures
offers important insights into the patterns of lighting
0,3335
792,73
168
58,88
60,58
0,1517
360,49
168
58,88
27,55
0,2426
1153,22
88,13
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
0 2 4 6
INTERIOR LIGHTING LOAD
LIVING HARDWIRED LIGHTING1
LIVING PLUG-IN LIGHTING1
Interior Lighting Total
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Total Watts Full Load
Hours/Week
[hr]
EXTERIOR LIGHTING LOAD
Exterior Lighting Total
GARAGE-LIGHTS_UNIT1
EXTERIOR-LIGHTS_UNIT1
ISPES 2023 - International Conference on Intelligent and Sustainable Power and Energy Systems
22
energy use. This analysis provides a solid basis for
making judgements on lighting design, energy-
efficient lighting systems, and methods for improving
the efficiency of energy use in residential buildings.
We can design sustainable and energy-efficient
structures using the simulation.
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