Can you guarantee that the completed building will match the performance predicted by the analysis in its day-to-day operations? Why or why not?
No, it is nearly impossible to guarantee that the completed building will match the performance predicted by the analysis in its day-to-day operations because there are many factors that are difficult to predict accurately. For instance, sudden events such as a blackout could cause a sharp decline in the energy use of the building. Weather events, solar intensity, number of people in the building, and number of days in a year the building is open can all vary. In general, the performance of the building will most likely differ from the model.
When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, should you always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use?
No, you should not always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use when choosing settings for each of the building performance factors. The setting that results in the lowest predicted energy use might be an impractical choice due to a high cost. For example, having more solar panels may lower the energy use of the building by relying less on the grid. However, it costs more to install and maintain more panels. Also, the lowest setting might not always be the best for occupant wellbeing or comfort. Thus, there are tradeoffs one has to consider when making decisions for each building performance factor.
How can you use Insight feedback to make design choices regarding materials, lightning, PV, etc.?
You can use Insight feedback to make various design choices by seeing which building performance factors affect the energy use of the building the most, and then choosing your priorities based on that. For example, if you want to build a sustainable building with a low energy use, but have a limited budget, then you might want to invest in efficient lighting systems, implement an operating schedule of 5 days a week, and install some photovoltaic panels. According to Insight, these factors can influence the energy use and cost of the building significantly. You can use other insights such as infiltration, window-wall-ratio, and roof construction to consider different materials in your design choices that may provide better insulation to your building.