As an on-going research project, Zero Net Energy Test Home (ZNETH) project investigates effective approaches to achieve whole-house environmental and energy goals. The main research objectives are (1) to identify energy saving solutions for designs, materials, and construction methods for the ZNETH house and (2) to verify whether ZNETH house can produce more energy than the house uses by utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) and energy analysis tools. The initial project analysis is conducted using building information modeling (BIM) and energy analysis tools. The BIM-driven research approach incorporates architectural and construction engineering methods for improving whole-building performance while minimizing increases in overall building cost. This paper discusses about advantages/disadvantages of using BIM integrated energy analysis, related interoperability issues between BIM software and energy analysis software, and results of energy analysis for ZNETH. Although this investigation is in its early stage, several dramatic outcomes have already been observed. Utilizing BIM for energy analysis is an obvious benefit because of the ease by which the 3D model is transferred, and the speed that an energy model can be analyzed and interpreted to improve design. The research will continue to use the ZNETH project as a testing bed for the integration of sustainable design into the BIM process.
A special thanks to Avery Schwer at the University Nebraska-Lincoln for the use of the ZNETH as a test bed for this investigation, and Steven Cross, a graduate student, for providing specific answers to questions asked regarding the construction of ZNETH.