Thermal Modelling of Buildings

Thermal modelling and DSM calculations can be used to show compliance with the Building Regulations and BREEAM assessments. They also help produce better designed buildings and their services to improve thermal comfort of occupants, reduce running costs and CO2 emissions.

At SEA Consulting, our Level 5 Energy Assessors and MEP Building Services Engineers use advanced 3D thermal modelling software with Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM).

The software uses actual weather and solar data for the buildings location to analyse the heating and daylight lighting needs of each room along with summertime overheating analysis to determine any cooling requirements. Ventilation needs and strategies can also be assessed to improve indoor air quality.

Thermal modelling allows for detailed inputs to be specified including heating / cooling set points, occupancy profiles, heat gains from equipment, shading devices, natural and mechanical ventilation air exchanges and much more.

This provides the design team with important feedback on how the building will function. If requirement adjustments can be made to the buildings fabric were possible and HVAC requirements for each room can be optimised, reducing capital expenditure and ongoing energy costs.

We can provide thermal modelling calculations and a thermal modelling report for legislation / guidance documents or for design analysis. Some of the uses include:

• Part L of the Building Regulations – Conservation of Fuel and Power
• BRUKL Reports
• SBEM Calculations
• EPCs – Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5
• Solar Shading Part L Criterion 3 solar gain
• Part O of the Building Regulations – Overheating
• TM59 – Overheating Assessments
• Summertime Overheating