Optimization of building design process by using energy simulation tools

Requirements concerning energy efficiency of buildings, as well as the emission of energy sources working for their needs, are constantly growing. It is related to the Polish law, as well as European Union directives. It is obvious that in the coming years, further regulations and directives will impose additional requirements in this area. Therefore, the requirements for the operation of buildings and process of their designing are changing already today. In the past, the design process, in particular in the aspect of energy consumption, was based primarily on the procedures of static analysis of the building's structure (partitions, glazing, etc.). A typical calculation of a building heat demand did not take into account other aspects of the building's operation, such as user behaviour, heat gains or thermal accumulation of the building. Therefore, in modern designing, it is extremely important to use advanced computer techniques to develop a detailed balance of energy, which takes into account all its useful forms, including heat and electricity. Only such a comprehensive approach will render it possible to achieve the energy efficiency indicators required by law, as well as an economically efficient operation of the building, with a minimal bad influence on the environment. In general, the manuscript presents methods of comprehensive computer energy simulation of buildings, which can be used for optimal designing of buildings for any purpose. The article also presents an overview of available computer tools, which are recommended for the building design process. There are also some examples of using a simulation software for the analysis of residential buildings, along with the analysis of the results of energy simulations carried out with its help.