How to model ASHRAE Std 62.1 in eQUEST part 1

This video has been moved to  eQUEST 420 -How to eQUEST training videos

What is the best energy modeling software?

If you are asking this question, you are probably either really new to energy modeling or really experienced.

Unfortunately, nobody really has the answer to this flawed question. The problem is that best can mean a number of things. Some might think that it means, "The most powerful, flexible, modern software package". But if it takes 5 years to learn how to use it, would it still be the best?

Many would argue that EnergyPlus is the best energy modeling software package. I will say with certainty that, on it's own, EnergyPlus is not the best software package.

Why isn't EnergyPlus the best software package?

EnergyPlus is not a software package at all. It is an engine. It's like saying, "The Ford Ecoboost V6 is the best car in the world" (wait, EnergyPlus is U.S. government funded, so I suppose a GM engine would be a more appropriate analogy, but I use the Ford Ecoboost analogy because I sincerely don't want to insult EnergyPlus).

See, EnergyPlus is an awesome, powerful, flexible (albeit relatively hard to learn) engine. When combined into a package (Engine+Graphical User interface), it is on the list of top contenders.

So what is the best whole building energy modeling software package?

To discuss the best whole building energy modeling software, we should consider: ASHRAE Std 140 approval, power, flexibility, feature-rich, learning curve, existing audience, reports, customization, and maybe a few more things. You might care about cost too. The only free software on the list is eQUEST.

That narrows the discussion of best software down to a few software packages:

The increasing popularity of building energy modeling (BEM) yields growing awareness of BEM to a variety of professionals. With exposure to larger audiences of various technical nature, energy modeling remains under increasing scrutiny. This scrutiny extends to all energy models, including yours.

Critics, all too often, cite discrepancies between a given BEM's projected energy cost and the reported cost of the existing building.Thus, the perceived validity of the energy-model is tied to its accuracy relative to actual utility bill data. This accuracy is most easily determined in existing building energy retrofits, where one can easily cross-reference existing utility bills with the energy model’s results.

The industry, the client, and the building simulator benefit when a model is properly calibrated with the building’s existing utility data. Given the thousands of inputs available in an energy model, building simulators often struggle with calibration of the energy-model, which illustrates the need for a systematic approach to calibrate the energy model.

We are going to delve into “User Expressions”. This is a topic that scares many an eQUEST user, so let me be clear, you can very easily complete an eQUEST model without “User Expressions”. They are optional, but they can be very helpful.

What is a User Expression in eQUEST?

A User Expression, also called a User Input Expression, is an input that is dependent on another input. This is very powerful because it allows interdependence of inputs, and allows dynamic modeling. To really explain a user expression, let’s start out with a simple example.

Example 1:

Let’s say we wish to place one window on each wall in our simulation. It’s common that a band of glass will be based on the length of the wall. Let’s say that for most walls, we want a 5 foot band of glass, starting 3 feet off the ground that starts and stops 1 foot from each end of the wall. 

Since a window is a child of a wall, eQUEST can create the window based on known wall data. To do this, set up your window like this:

Then right click the field for width and select Edit/View User Expression:

Then Enter: #p("WIDTH")-2

So, you want to use LEEDonline?

First thing, you must have Internet Explorer or Safari. It won't work in any other browser. 

There's a list of other things but if you have used LEEDonline in the past, you will need to make some changes.

If you have 64 bit Internet Explorer, you will need to setup a 32 bit option. This is easy enough:

1. Go to your desktop
2. Right click and create a shortcut
3. Set the shortcut path to C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
4. Give the shortcut a name (something like "32 bit IE" or whatever helps you remember)

Now, to make sure that this 32-bit version of Internet explorer operates in "compatibility mode":

1. Open the 32 bit version of IE.
2. Go to LEEDonline.com
3. Go to the tools menu (if you don't see it, click the "alt" button)
4. Then select "Compatibility View settings"
5. It should have LEEDonline.com listed next to the add button, if so click the add button, and you should see this screen.

And, assuming you have the correct version of Adobe and the correct plugin, you should at least be able to log in.

Good luck and please post any questions in the comments! 

Here’s an interesting conversation we had with someone on our recently. Of course, it does not reflect the views of Energy-models.com, but it does reflect the views of many engineers we've talked to about the design process and architects.

Anonymous: Hey - are you going to offer a Revit MEP training?

Support:  We would like to, but need to define the scope - perhaps you could help? Do you have any ideas on what a typical MEP engineer would want to learn to do in Revit MEP?

Anonymous: With regard to Energy Modeling or in BIM modeling?

Support: Considering we are an energy modeling website, let’s say energy-modeling, but I suppose BIM should tie into that as well.

Anonymous:  Well first thing I have to say is It’s an integrated design process in a virtual world….shit in yields shit out. Seriously, each discipline is at the bottom of the pyramid equally, so the basis of reaching the peak (LEED Plaque) is supported at the base of the design process by everyone. I’ve seen architects build crappy models to which there is 2,000+ walls in a corridor.

The basic Revit information needed for modeling starts with the Architects and how they build their rooms and components. Exterior wall banding (different color brick or materials used) breaks up walls into several different walls per room. Ideally, they should enter a single wall with an overal U-value for each wall type, but also be educated on how to do this through ASHRAE 90.1 for wall assembly U-values and also include lifetime degradation of insulating U-value (it’s a lot to ask)

The worst offenses I’ve seen is in the window assemblies.

As you may know already, but if you haven't heard - I am sad to announce that Lynn Bellenger passed away Oct. 19.

Everyone in this business should really be thankful for Lynn's contributions. As ASHRAE president, her motto was "modeling a sustainable world" and pushed the relevance of BIM and energy modeling. As the first female president in 116 years, her contribution to ASHRAE itself was a breath of fresh air. In my opinion, she did more for ASHRAE than anyone in recent years.

I had only met Lynn once, but I spoke with her on the phone many times and she was always very pleasant and kind. Actually, one of my first weeks at Trane CDS, I ended up on a support phone call with Lynn. I had no idea who she was, but I simply remember asking her to "let me get some help" (to which she was very kind).

I then went and asked Clair Jacobson (who has also sadly passed away several months ago) for some help. 

Clair asked "who is it?" 
I told him "Lynn Bellenger.." and he said with a grin, "Yeah, I better take that one"