UC San Diego

Along with improvement in buildings structure, developments in thermal design allow decreasing the energy demand of heating, cooling, and air conditioning of buildings. This thesis distinguishes and optimizes design elements that are essential in minimizing building heating /cooling loads. Optimum designs vary significantly for different areas due to different meteorological conditions between locations and seasonal changes at the same location. Considering the typical meteorological conditions at two sites, a genetic algorithm optimizer is coupled with annual simulations of building energy demand to minimize building energy use. The results present significant deviations between annual optimum design and ideal design for hot or cold season. The findings emphasis the importance of year-long simulations in optimal thermal design of buildings