Thermal Modelling

Braithwaite Energy provides IES-VE Dynamic Simulation Modelling for commercial buildings across the UK, covering Part L compliance, TM52 overheating, and TM54 operational energy.

The levels describe the complexity of the building and the competence required to assess it. Level 3 covers simple buildings with standard heating and ventilation, Level 4 covers buildings with more complex services, and Level 5 covers buildings whose systems cannot be represented in SBEM and must be modelled using Dynamic Simulation Modelling.

A Level 5 EPC assesses complex buildings with high-technology HVAC systems using Dynamic Simulation Modelling rather than SBEM. It is needed where systems such as chilled beams, VRF with heat recovery, atrium ventilation or complex controls fall outside SBEM's capability, and it usually produces a fairer, more accurate rating for that kind of building.

Dynamic Simulation Modelling is a computational method that simulates a building's performance hour by hour across a full year using real weather data, occupancy patterns and system behaviour. It predicts energy consumption, thermal comfort and indoor conditions far more accurately than steady-state tools, which is why it underpins Level 5 EPCs, TM52, TM54 and Part L compliance for complex buildings.

Thermal modelling simulates how heat moves through and around a building so you can see where fabric performance, solar gain or system sizing is causing problems. It identifies where insulation or glazing specification should change, whether spaces will overheat, and where heating and cooling plant is oversized and costing money.

DSM and Level 5 EPCs give a far more detailed and accurate picture of how a complex building actually uses energy, so investment decisions are made against real behaviour rather than a simplified proxy. On large or highly serviced assets that regularly avoids specifying measures that would not have paid back, saving significant capital expenditure.