Energy Design Guide I is a tool designed to assist in the early optimization of the building envelope by calculating key performance values and presenting them in graphical form. These curves and figures help architects and planners interpret energy efficiency metrics and translate them into architectural choices, such as construction type, glazing partition, and glazing quality, necessary for low-energy buildings. While it does not quantify thermal demand, it provides a strong foundation for early-stage design decisions.
The tool requires only a few input parameters, including the loss factor, window size/glazing quality, and construction type, making it particularly well-suited for initial planning. By focusing on these essential factors, the Energy Design Guide I can help exploit 80–90% of the optimization potential, reducing the need for complex simulations.
With an integrated tutorial and embedded explanations, the tool is intuitive and accessible, enabling architects, planners, and engineers to efficiently explore energy-saving strategies in the early design phases. By simplifying the optimization process, it supports the creation of energy-efficient buildings while maintaining flexibility for diverse architectural solutions.
