Check the comparison of 20 tools available here:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/pdfs/contrasting_the_capabilities_of_building_energy_performance_simulation_programs_v1.0.pdf
"Kingsley, Michael
L." To: bldg-sim at gard.com
Sent by:
bldg-sim at gard.com
01/30/2007 11:15 AM
Please respond to
MICHAEL.L.KINGSLEY
I am interested in comments and recommendations as to which energy
simulation programs would be most appropriate for modeling passive solar
buildings (heating especially, but I'm interested in passive
cooling/ventilation too). I would really appreciate any references to
technical papers or case studies that deal with this topic too.
Thank you in advance for your input.
Mike Kingsley
Mike:
Check out NREL's SUNREL (formerly SERI-RES) for modeling advanced
passive energy features such as rock bins, phase change materials, and
advanced infiltration/natural ventilation algorithms. There are some
papers published by NREL regarding the natural ventilation/infiltration
schemes - (Google SUNREL & PDF). The SUNREL engine is an multizone
hourly energy modeling program that accepts TMY annual weather files and
can calculate the hourly heating and cooling loads. The SUNREL engine
inputs takes ascii text input files. - It's a powerful residential
energy modeling engine.
DISCLAIMER - the company I work for, Performance Systems Development,
has developed the only commercial front end for SUN-REL that I am aware
of - the software is called "TREAT". Check out www.treatsoftware.com for
functionality.
Have fun - Chris
Chris Balbach, P.E., LEED AP
Mike...
If you are doing residential buildings take a look at HEED (Home
Energy Efficient Design) on www.aud.ucla.edu/heed Technical papers
are on www.aud.ucla.edu/energy-design-tools
Murray Milne
Check out SBIC's "Designing Low Energy Buildings: Passive Solar
Strategies & Energy 10 Software"
http://www.sbicouncil.org/store/e10.php?PHPSESSID=fda65f421e42bc28b1ce7f
e25e589561
Mark Zoeteman
I am interested in comments and recommendations as to which energy
simulation programs would be most appropriate for modeling passive solar
buildings (heating especially, but I'm interested in passive
cooling/ventilation too). I would really appreciate any references to
technical papers or case studies that deal with this topic too.
Thank you in advance for your input.
Mike Kingsley