Sustainability and energy conservation are top of mind for many building owners these days. What owners may not realize, however, is the value that BIM can provide as they tackle questions related to energy costs and consumption.
A building information model is a virtual representation of the building that can be analyzed for different purposes after completion. For example:
- Solar studies. With software like Autodesk Revit or Green Building Studio, building owners can take a building information model and determine the impact that the sun will have on the existing building or on potential renovations.
- Utility cost analyses. Model data related to wall construction and insulation values can support analyses that establish the utility costs of the current design.
- Green project evaluations. The potential of solar panels on a roof or installation of a green roof can be modeled based on information in BIM.
- Renovation possibilities. Alternative designs and materials can be studied as renovations are planned, which will reduce the building’s energy consumption footprint.
- Daylighting analysis. In Autodesk Revit, it is possible to analyze daylight illuminance to locate areas where shading devices may be needed to ensure occupant comfort. Revit allows users to add shading devices, analyze their effectiveness, and identify the most cost effective solution. A daylighting analysis can also determine whether rooms can benefit from daylight sensors to dim or turn off electrical lighting when it’s not required, saving unnecessary energy costs.
If your team is interested in reducing your building’s energy footprint by leveraging BIM, contact us here at IMAGINiT. We can help identify what’s possible.
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