Integration of HVAC models into a hygrothermal whole building simulation tool

A combined simulation of the building envelope and the plant equipment is more realistic than simulating both separately and has the advantage that the modeler can use one software environment instead of multiple software environments. Tools that solve the coupled heat and moisture transfer for building components already exist. In this paper a software is introduced that uses the detailed simulation models of different building components (e.g., walls and windows) to generate a whole building simulation model. Furthermore, the extension of this software with HVAC models is described. This makes it possible to take the interactions of the plant equipment with the building into account. The plant systems (e.g., heating, cooling and air conditioning systems) are modeled in the object-oriented Modelica language. The different possibilities for the integration of the HVAC models into the C-written original software are discussed.