Comparative and Sensitivity Analysis of Numerical Methods for the Discretization of Opaque Structures and Parameters of Glass Components for EN ISO 52016-1

The EN ISO 52016-1:2017 standard introduced a new methodology for the hourly calculation of energy needs that allows the study of the dynamic energy performance of buildings. In this study, a comparative analysis was carried out between two heat transfer models for opaque building elements: the one described in the new standard EN ISO 52016-1:2017 (Annex B) and that proposed by the Italian national annex (Annex A). The analysis, carried out on 1854 cases, showed better results for the heating period than for the cooling period, with a lower Root-Mean-Square Error and Coefficient of Variation of the Root-Mean-Square Error for the model proposed by the Italian National Annex. Increasing the performance of the building by decreasing the solar transmission coefficient of the glazed surfaces leads to a worse Root-Mean-Square Error of about 11%. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of the thermo-physical parameters of the opaque building components was carried out and an alternative method for the calculation of the solar transmission coefficient was evaluated. The latter was able to improve the Root-Mean-Square Error of summer solar gains by 46.7% compared to the method proposed by the standard.