Seasonal effects of input parameters in urban-scale building energy simulation

The results showed that the cooling demand in the area was very strongly influenced by the set point temperature, with other variables having a relatively minor influence. For the heating case a larger number of variables were needed in order to explain variations in demand, primarily the thermal properties of the envelope and air exchange rates of the buildings. This was generally true for all occupancy types, shapes, sizes and locations, showing the importance of accurate estimates of these parameters in urban building energy modeling. On a broader sense, the results contribute to the development of urban energy simulations that are both practical and accurate.