Figure 1
The flowchart is organized into four main stages labeled “STEP 1”. “STEP 2”. “STEP 3”. and “STEP 4”. STEP 1 is positioned on the left side of the diagram, while STEPS 2, 3, and 4 are positioned on the right side, arranged vertically from top to bottom. STEP 1 is titled “Primary Data Collection”. On the far left, three vertical side labels read “Obtained Data”. “Measurements”. and “Calibration”. Under “Obtained Data”. rectangular boxes list “Climatic Data” with subitems “Annual and monthly weather data from nearest weather stations”. “Building Structure” with subitems “Building materials, architectural drawings”. and “Occupancy Related Data” with subitems “Field observation” and “Occupancy Surveying”. Under “Measurements”. boxes include “H V A C Features” with subitems “Audit” and “Mechanical information survey”. “Building Envelope” with subitem “U-value measurements”. and “Indoor Qualities” with subitems “Air quality measurements with sensors” and “Lux value measurement”. Under “Calibration”. boxes list “Energy Bills” with subitem “Electricity and natural Gas bills collection”. and “Indoor Air Temperature” with subitem “Zone temperature calibration with simulation”. STEP 2 is titled “Simulation Process”. Three horizontal rectangular boxes are stacked vertically and labeled “Building Modeling in DesignBuilder”. “Occupancy Schedule Entry in EnergyPlus”. and “Simulation with Weather Data”. A downward gradient arrow composed of stacked horizontal bars points from STEP 2 to STEP 3. STEP 3 is titled “Building Energy Modeling”. A rectangular box below it reads “Comparison of measured and simulated data” with subitems “Electricity”. “Natural Gas”. and “Indoor Air Temperature”. Between STEP 3 and STEP 4, a circular green arrow symbol indicates an iterative loop connecting these two steps. STEP 4 is titled “Modifying Energy Models and Re-simulation”. A rectangular box contains the text “Calibration with M B E and R M S E methods” and “Arranging building thermal properties and re-scheduling occupancy related parameters”. A downward arrow leads from STEP 4 to a final green rectangular box labeled “Validated Building Energy Model”. The boxes under “Obtained Data” and “Measurements” from STEP 1 are connected to the “Building Energy Modeling” box in STEP 3, while the boxes under “Calibration” from STEP 1 are connected to the “Comparison of measured and simulated data” box in STEP 3.The methodology framework of the study