Three-Dimensional Visualization Solution to Building-Energy Diagnosis for Energy Feedback

Owing to the large ratio of consumption in the building sector, energy-saving strategies are required. Energy feedback is an energy-saving strategy that prompts consumers to change their energy-consumption behaviors. The strategy has been principally focused on providing energy-consumption information. However, the realization of energy savings using only consumption information remains limited. In this paper, a building-energy, three-dimensional (3D) visualization solution is thus proposed. The aim is to determine if the building manager will replace the facility after our recommendation to improve the building-energy efficiency derived from the energy information is given. This solution includes the process of diagnosing a building and providing a prediction of energy requirements if a building improvement effort is undertaken. Accurate diagnostic information is provided by real-time measurement data from sensors and building models using a close-range photogrammetry method, without depending on blueprints. The information is provided by employing visualization effects to increase the energy-feedback efficiency. The proposed strategy is implemented on two testbeds, and building diagnostics are performed accordingly. For the first testbed, the predicted energy improvement amount resulting from the facility upgrade is provided. The second testbed is provided with a 3D visualization of the energy information. The predicted value of energy improvement was derived from the improvement plan through energy diagnosis in each testbed as about 30% and as about 28%, respectively. Unlike existing systems, which provide only ambiguous data that lack quantitative information, this study is meaningful because it provides energy information with the aid of visualization effects before and after building improvements.