Can you guarantee that the completed building will match the performance predicted by the analysis in its day-to-day operations?
No, I don’t think any model can be 100% accurate. Beyond that, wear and tear on the structure will likely decrease efficiency over time. Also, the way people use the building (leaving lights on or windows open, running heavy duty electrical equipment, etc) would have a big impact on its efficiency.
When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, should you always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use?
Not necessarily, you definitely have to keep the site and program in mind when you’re modeling any building. Similar to above, you wouldn’t want to minimize energy use during construction if it will end up costing more in the long run if the building can keep up with its uses and users.
How can you use Insight feedback to make design choices regarding materials, lightning, PV, etc.?
Insight shows you what elements have the biggest impact on the energy efficiency of a building. You can use this to choose what types of walls, windows, HVAC systems, etc will increase the energy efficiency and decrease the cost to run the building.