Lighting Design and Energy Simulation of a Residential House

Yogesh Varshney

1 1

, R. K. Viral

1 2

and Divya Asija

1 3

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,

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0741-7129

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7220-2742

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

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

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

Energy analysis of the

entire building

Uncertainty in input

data

Studies on daylighting

and natural ventilation

[Rawal Rajan,2010].

Making assumptions

and simplifying

complex situations

HVAC System Design

[Martina Fischer, 2007]

Time Consumption

Retrofit Analysis

Complexity of

modelling

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

Remarks

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

Explain the

Building

Energy

Simulation

process and

develop an

energy-

efficient

building.

2010

Joseph J.

Romm

Energy

simulation

software

allows the

simulation of

building

systems

including

HVAC,

lighting, and

renewable

energy

integration .

Describe the

simulation of

all different

loads.

2006

Michael

E.Casper

simulation

software

allows for

detailed

analysis of

lighting

systems,

considering

factors such

as fixture

types etc .

Simulation

help to make

changes in

building

before

construction.

2007

Dikshu C.

Kukreja

Energy

simulation

software

enables

designer to

evaluate

different

lighting

design

options and

optimize

Energy Plus

was

developed by

the US

Department

of Energy.

2001

Lighting Design and Energy Simulation of a Residential House

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

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

Table 4: Review of building energy software tools.

Tools

Characteristi

Merits

Demerits

Ener

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

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

eQU

EST

• Inputs:

Template

based

• Output

Standardize

• 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

• 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

breakdown

• Reporti

ng and

results

visualizatio

availability

of user

support and

community

Ope

Stud

• Inputs:

Customizab

• 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

• Workfl

automation

• Learni

ng curve

• Plugin

dependenci

es for

certain

features

• Limite

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

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

Power

Densit

[Btu/h

-ft2]

Total

Power

[Btu/h

]

Full

Load

Hour

s/We

[hr]

Cons

umpt

ion

[kW

LIVI

HAR

DWI

RED

LIVI

NG_

UNIT

0.3335

792.7

58.88

60.58

4118,244118,24

13042,4

1,151,15

3,663,66

1,731,735,495,49

100%

Energy Amount

Types of Site & Source Energy

Energy Per

Condition

Building

Area

[kBtu/ft2]

Energy Per

Total

Building

Area

[kBtu/ft2]

Lighting Design and Energy Simulation of a Residential House

LIG

HTI

NG1

LIVI

PLU

G-IN

LIG

HTI

NG1

LIVI

NG_

UNIT

0.151

360.4

58.88

27.55

Interi

Light

ing

Total

0.242

1153.

88.13

Figure 6: Interior Lighting Load.

Table 7: Exterior Lighting Load Data.

Tota

Watt

Full Load

Hours/We

ek [hr]

Consumpti

on [kWh]

EXTERIOR-

LIGHTS_UNI

43.2

16.09

GARAGE-

LIGHTS_UNI

7.16

58.88

1.87

Exterior

Lighting Total

50.4

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

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

0 2 4 6

INTERIOR LIGHTING LOAD

LIVING HARDWIRED LIGHTING1

LIVING PLUG-IN LIGHTING1

Interior Lighting Total

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

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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