While eQuest and TRACE 700 have excellent shading algorithms (basically the same algorithm in both software pacakges), the complex input of some shading devices is intimidating to new users of the program, and often overwhelming for experienced users. I would like to propose a method to simplify shading for most applications to that of a simple overhang.

Consider this overhang:

Let’s say for now, that is possible to simplify nearly any fixed shading application to such an overhang.

There are only two sets of conditions we need to consider:

I realized a long time ago that the energy-modeling community is all too often very cynical and often forgets the ideals that started this movement; chiefly, doing the right thing. Too often I find the industry littered with self interested saboteurs and infiltrators. Anyone who has been to a number of ASHRAE meetings will have noted the huge corporate vesting going on, and I understand that's part of what makes the industry successful.

However,  I want to take a moment and give a shout out to a few skilled and positive companies.

Here's a list of 10 of the best software simulation companies whose work I have seen (in no particular order). And no, I don't have stock in any of these companies (except...

There are a lot of good reasons. This article focuses on a few of the main red flags telling you to get your butt in gear and get some ice tanks. And, if LEED is important to you, we will talk about how ice storage can yield big LEED points.

But before we talk about ice storage, let’s start with an ice-breaker: What is the number one reason to use ice storage? Now, if you said 'to save energy', you are WRONG. Would it surprise you to know that reducing energy consumption is not the most common reason to use ice storage?. The real reason to use ice storage is that IT SAVES EVEN MORE MONEY THAN IT SAVES IN ELECTRICITY. Example: you can "charge"...

If you are an energy-modeler or work with one, you have probably wondered if all this extra work is worth the effort. When doing energy models, it seems like you spend more time and money on the model than it could ever be worth, but it only seems that way. Remember, buildings last a long time and they consume about 30% of the energy used in the United States. In other words, energy models pay dividends.

So, the first thing to establish is this: What is the purpose of energy-modeling? Most people will tell you, “It’s to save energy”, but that is over-simplified. Some people will even argue that it does not save energy since it is almost always a ton of work and in fact costs energy. These people are wrong. In the...