Hey All,

I am curious as to how to break up the thermal blocks in eQUEST. eQUEST allows each zone to be broken down into different space types by percentage. According to Appendix G, Table G3.1, Section 7, three conditions have to be met in order to clump thermal blocks together: the space use classification has to be the same, they have to have exposure to one fa?ade (or a fa?ade with a <45 deg bend), and they have to be served by the same type of HVAC equipment. When a large zone is created based on the area being conditioned by a HVAC system, breaking down the spaces by the percentage doesn't meet the three conditions required. If spaces are broken down according to the ASHRAE requirements, it often leads to a large amount of zones. If all zones have at least 1 hr. of unmet heating or cooling, and there are greater then 300 zones, the model will exceed the amount of hours allowed. Any suggestions on an approach on zoning to simplify the model that meets ASHRAE requirements?

Thanks,

Janne Kairento, E.I.T., LEED AP