BSim

BSim [41] envisages user-friendly simulation of energy and hygrothermal simulations of buildings. The software consisted of the following modules: SimView (user interface and graphic model editor), tsbi5 (simultaneous thermal and moisture building simulation tool), XSun (dynamic solar and shadow simulation and visualisation), SimLight (daylight calculation tool), SimDXF (CAD import facility), and SimPV (building-integrated PV system calculation). Furthermore, there are export facilities to external tools: Be06 (Danish compliance checker), Radiance (advanced light simulations), and boundary conditions for CFD simulations and visualisation in tools using DirectX input files. BSim has been used extensively over the past 20 years in Denmark, presenting increased interest abroad, as it provides both energy and moisture analysis [42]. BSim applies the quasi-steady approach in building modelling, and it is often used for phase change materials' modelling using the heat capacity method. The BSim software has been successfully applied for the determination of the effect of the basic heat gains on building energy consumption by Sikula et al. [43] and it was demonstrated that the highest heat gain comes from solar radiation. Model validation procedures showed a deviation of only 8% between the simulated annual energy consumption and the measured one. Applications of the BSim, among other tools, may be also found in a report under the International Energy Agency (IEA) Programme for energy conservation in buildings and Community systems [44]. The software was used mainly to simulate energy performance of typical residences located in different locations (climatic zones) in the pre-renovation situation in order to assess the impact of different climatic conditions on building energy consumption. The high fidelity of BSim simulations is documented by the fact that it has been also used as a generator of reference building energy performance indicators over which other novel energy calculation methods are tested, for example, in the case of a smart glazing facade under different control contexts (night shutter, solar shading, and natural ventilation) [45]. Sorensen et al. [46] used the software to develop an integrated building energy design of a Danish office building, incorporating a Monte Carlo Simulation method, and produced a pool of engineering solutions with enough design freedom for architects. The study explores global design with Monte Carlo Simulations, in order to form feasible solutions for architects and facilitates the collaboration linkages between architects and engineers.

#### ENER-WIN

The ENER-WIN [47] simulates hourly based energy consumption, including annual and monthly averages, peak demand, peak heating and cooling loads, solar-fraction through glazing, daylighting contribution, and life-cycle cost analysis. Design parameters are separately tabulated for each zone, also providing duct sizes and electrical power requirements. The software comprises several modules, i.e., an interface module, a weatherdata retrieval module, and a sketching and an energy simulation module. ENER-WIN requires the following inputs: the building type, location and geometry, external ground parameters, operation patterns and loads (e.g., occupancy, lighting, equipment, and domestic hot water), and heating and cooling inputs (ventilation rate and schedules, thermostat settings and heating/cooling equipment types, systems' efficiency and set points).

Using ENERWIN in order to evaluate the reasons for high electrical use in 30 residences in Kuwait allowed for researchers to conclude that annual energy use in residential buildings was directly related to occupants' behavior and that data relating to the type of occupant should be taken into account as accurately as possible [48]. ENER-WIN was applied by Soebarto and Williamson [49] for the development of a multi-criteria decisionmaking approach based on the "Reference Building" concept. Using the databases of building materials, climate conditions, and systems incorporated in the ENER-WIN tool, they integrated an approach of creating a reference building that satisfies ASHRAE Standard 90.1 [50] requirements. The energy performance of the actual building was evaluated based on the deviations between the actual and reference building and it was concluded that the approach was useful for testing different design strategies. It should be clarified

that the referred ASHRAE Standard has been replaced by the latest version 90.1-2019, i.e., the study cited previously is limited only to the older version of the Standard. As indicated by the software vendor [47], the latest Enerwin 2020 version incorporates ASHRAE Standards 90.1-2019.
