Journal of Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems ISSN:1976-6483(Print) 2586-0666(Online) 한국건축친환경설비학회논문집

This study proposes a data-driven Urban Building Energy Modeling (UBEM) framework designed to efficiently and reliably assess the energy performance of buildings at the urban scale. The framework is based on the Intrinsic Degree Hour (IDH) methodology, which utilizes only monthly energy consumption and hourly outdoor temperature data. Building-specific optimal base temperatures for heating and cooling are determined through an R² maximization process, after which degree hours are computed and aggregated into the IDH index. A single linear regression model is then applied to estimate a unified performance coefficient (U''), which comprehensively reflects the combined effects of envelope thermal performance, HVAC system efficiency, and operational characteristics, representing the building’s overall responsiveness to climate-sensitive loads. The proposed methodology was applied to 140 buildings participating in Korea’s Green Remodeling (GR) program, and the results show that, on average, the slope of U'' decreased after remodeling, indicating improved integrated performance. Furthermore, the IDH analysis module was implemented within a data-driven UBEM platform, enabling large-scale building stock performance evaluation and post-retrofit monitoring. Due to its low data requirements and computational simplicity, the proposed framework offers a practical and scalable tool for diagnosing building performance and supporting energy efficiency policy-making, even in contexts with limited detailed building information.