to: equest modelers
fr: Mike Diess
I am a novice equest modeler having only done 4 or 5 buildings w/ simple
mechanical systems.
My firm wants to branch out beyond HVAC systems designs. We want to work
with owners of existing buildings to analyze & offer energy use reduction
strategies to them. In this scenario our information might be limited & so
our study might be limited, as well. I find equest to be very comprehensive
& perhaps not suited to a study focused on one aspect of energy consumption
( say, lighting for example). Is equest an appropriate tool in this case, or
could anyone suggest a simpler tool for more limited applications?
I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.
Thanks
Mike
--
Mike Diess, PE, LEED AP
LNI Consulting Engineering
mike.diess at gmail.com
cell: 720-427-7954 fax: 608-646-1063
Hi Mike,
I thought you were a seasoned professional. Anyway, I think you can use
eQUEST to study small and simple buildings easily using the Wizards. Just
use the default data for the areas you are not interested in studying. Of
course, it is always good practice to spend some time reviewing the defaults
and correcting ones that are clearly inappropriate. I am not sure whether
EnergyPlus, TRACE, and CarrierHAP, can be used in this way. Another tool for
small buildings is EZ Sim: http://www.ezsim.com/main.htm.
It is also, of course, very good to take a training or two for any model you
decide to use. WRT eQUEST, there are regular trainings offered by the
development team, Marlin Addison and Steve Gates in particular, as well as
regular trainings in Wisconsin and at conferences. I provide training as
well, generally coming to your site and doing a 2 day training with followup
assistance, or via phone using a tool like GoToMeeting.
In any case, welcome to the fold!
Carol Gardner PE
Mike:
I perform energy audits of large commercial and industrial sites.
I develop energy efficiency measures based on the current operation of the building, estimate the project and work with the utility companies for incentives.
I find Excel suitable for this purpose.? I have developed different worksheets to estimate the energy savings by, for example, converting a constant volume fan or pump to variable volume.
This process is different than modeling as I take actual kW readings, fan and pump RPMs, static pressures and datalog equipment and space temperatures.
The utilities want actual data not nameplate.? The more accurate the data the higher the incentive.
If you are interested, I can e-mail you a sample spreadsheet.? You need an Excel add-in called Get Psyched for the psychometric functions included.? You can download this for a free 60 day trial or purchase for $50. ? No way to calculate the savings for comparative enthalpy or demand based ventilation without psychometric functions.
I have not found any utility company in the Northeast that will accept the savings calculated by eQuest.? All the calculations must be transparent and editable.
Good luck on your new endeavor, I find auditing and the opportunity to implement my own strategies very exciting and profitable to my clients.
Paul Diglio
Hi Paul -
I started working as a energy auditor in a comapny a couple of months back.
We do a lot of energy auditing here for big commericial as well residential
buildings. I thought it would be great to see the excel calculations you are
talking about. It would great if you could share them.
Let me know.
Thank you.
Pranita.