How does the hourly calculation method in EN ISO 52016-1 (to calculate indoor temperatures and heating and cooling loads and needs) relate to dynamic building simulation tools?

The hourly calculation method can be considered as a simplified dynamic simulation. It is designed to reduce the need for input data to the same level as the monthly calculation method, while keeping the dynamic representation of a zone with its building elements.

Dynamic building simulation tools have more detailed methods in several places, which may differ between the tools. For compliance testing usage it is advantageous to have a prescribed method in place. However, additional standardization work is in preparation (ISO/TC 163/SC 2/WG 15 & CEN/TC 89) to make the hourly calculation method according to EN ISO 52016-1 more flexible without jeopardizing reproducibility and transparency.

In EN ISO 52016-1, clause 7.2 includes already a selection of verification cases, which stems from the ASHRAE 140 Standard, which is dedicated to the validation of simulation tools.

Read more at the page on EN ISO 52016-1 which includes also links to recent papers with further explanation on the subject.

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2019.07.22 (updated 2025-10-28)