A Tool for Design Decision Making Zero Energy Residential Buildings in Hot Humid Climates

Informed decision-making is the basis for the design of Net Zero Energy Buildings
(NZEBs). This thesis investigates the use of building performance simulation tools
as a method of informing the design decision of NZEBs. The aim of this study was to
develop a design decision making tool, ZEBO, for zero energy residential buildings
in hot climates and to evaluate the effect of a simulation-based decision aid, on
informed decision-making using sensitivity analysis. An assessment of the role of
the BPS tools used in informing the decision-making was ascertained through cases
studies, usability testing and several self-reported metrics. The thesis provides
results that shed light on the effectiveness of sensitivity analysis as an approach
for informing the design decisions of NZEBs.