Tools

Summary Comparison of Energy Modeling Software Features

Please note that the features listed here are out of date, but the general properties of the software such as Propietary/OpenSource remain the same


FEATURE DOE2.2 Equest TRANE TRACE 700 CARRIER HAP
Public/Proprietary Public Domain Proprietary Proprietary Proprietary
Simulation Method 8760 hours 8760 hours 8760 hours 8760 hours
Loads Methodology Cst Wtg Factor Cst Wtg Factor Std Wtg Factor Std Wtg Factor
Load Design Calculation No No Yes Yes
Max # of Zones 1024 1024 Unlimited 2500
Front End Type text/command Windows Windows Windows
Multiple Interface Views     •  
On-screen help none extensive substantial extensive
User-Selectable Hourly Output extensive extensive limited extensive
Graphic Results Summary   •   •
"3-D" Building Drawing   •    
Accepts CAD input files/gbXML   • •  
Export Data back to CAD files     •  
Materials/Assemblies Library • • • •
Schedules Library • • • •
Graphic Schedule Input   •   •
Bldgs/Prototype Library   • •  
Detailed Shading • • • •
Automatic Equip Sizing limited limited • •
Human Comfort Prediction        
Expression Inputs • •    
Multiple schemes/ parametrics • • • •
# Terminal Systems Types 28 28 24 21
# Primary Equipment Types 27 27 24 22
Runtime (40 zones, 1.8MHz P4) 20 sec 20 sec 2.3 min 2 min
Approximate Cost freeware freeware $1995+$413/yr $1495+$300/yr
Documentation extensive extensive moderate moderate
User modeling guide     included  
Telephone and Email Help not available $450/10 hours extensive limited
Minimum Hardware Recommended Windows XP+32MB Windows XP+32MB Windows XP+32MB Windows XP+32MB

Comparison of LOADS Modeling Capabilities   
FEATURE DOE2.2 Equest TRANE TRACE 700 CARRIER HAP
Weather Data        
Number of weather data days used 365 365 12/365 365
Statistical weather summaries available • • • limited
User-processing of custom weather data • • •  
Calculation Time Step        
1-hour in LOADS • • • •
15 min or 30 min kW reporting • •    
Spaces and Zones        
Max # of Spaces/Zones 1024 1024 No max 2500
Spaces used as components of HVAC zones • • • •
Spaces/Zones named or numbered names names names names
Floor and/or Space multipliers • • • •
Schedules        
Maximum number of seasons per schedule 52 52 12 8
Shading        
Overhangs • • • •
Fins • • • •
Setbacks (I.e., "Reveals") • • • •
Detached (e.g.,adjacent building) • • •  
Self-Shading • •   limited
Shade transmittance schedulable • • •  
Operable interior/exterior shading • • • •
Glazing Systems Input Methods        
Simple Shading coefficient % conductance • • • •
Glazing library • • • •
User-definable layer-by-layer specification • • • •
Lighting Systems Input Methods        
Simple lighting power and/or density • • • •
Luminaire characteristics and Count • •    
Desired illuminance (program calc's lighting power) • • •  
Max Number of Lighting & Equipment Loads per Zone 5 5 unlimited 3
Daylighting Levels Predicted on Request • • •  
Natural ventilation limited limited limited  

Comparison of Air-Side SYSTEM Modeling Capabilities
FEATURE DOE2.2 Equest TRANE TRACE 700 CARRIER HAP
Air-Side SYSTEM Types        
Singe Supply Duct Types        
Packaged single-zone system • • • •
Constant volume reheat fan system • • • •
Single-zone induction fan system • • • •
Variable volume (VAV) fan system, optional reheat • • • •
Fan-powered VAV (powered induction unit) system • • • •
Packaged variable volume system • • • •
Ceiling bypass variable volume system • • • •
Packaged variable volume/variable temperature • • • •
Packaged total gas solid desiccant system • • •  
Evaporative cooling system • •    
Underfloor air distribution systems     •  
Displacement ventilation systems     •  
Active chilled beam system     •  
Passive chilled beam system     •  
Air Mixing Systems        
Dual Duct system • • • •
Dual fan dual duct system • • • •
Multizone system • • • •
Packaged mulitzone system • • • •
Terminal Unit Systems        
Packaged terminal air conditioner • • • •
Unitary hydronic ("California") heat pump system • • • •
Two-pipe fan coil system • • • •
Four-pipe fan coil system • • • •
Two-pipe induction system • • • •
Four-pipe induction system • • • •
Variable refrigerant volume system     •  
Ground-source heat pump system • • • •
Gas engine-driven heat pump system • • •  
Residential Systems        
Packaged rooftop system • • • •
Split system • • • •
Variable volume/variable temperature system • • • •
Heating Only Systems        
Heating and ventilating system • • • •
Unit heater • • •  

Comparison of Air-Side SYSTEM Options
FEATURE DOE2.2 Equest TRANE TRACE 700 CARRIER HAP
Air-Side SYSTEMS Options        
Coil Sizing based on:        
Coincident (building block) load • • • •
Non-coincident (sum of each zone) load • • • •
User-input • • • •
Thermostat Action Options        
Two-position • • • •
Proportional • • • •
Reverse-acting • • • •
Automatic start-up cycles • • • •
Coil Control Options        
Constant temperature • • • •
Reset by OSA • • • •
Reset by zone demand • • • •
User scheduled • • •  
Fan Control Options        
Constant volume • • • •
Cycling • • • •
Two-speed • • •  
Inlet vane • • •  
Discharge dampers • • • •
Variable speed drives • • • •
User-definable curve • • • •
Fan static pressure optimization     •  
Air-Side Economizer & Ventilation Options        
Dry-bulb economizer • • • •
Enthalpy economizer • • • •
Fixed volume VAV Control • •   •
Schedulable OSA quantities • • • •
Indirect and direct evaporative cooling     •  
Demand control ventilation     •  
Adjacent room air transfer     •  
Dedicated Outdoor Air Options        
Split dehumidification control     •  
Dehumidification Control     •  
Control optimization (DB and Dew Point)     •  
Active Dehumidifications Controls     •  
Worst case room     •  
Mixed air bypass     •  
Return air bypass     •  
Variable speed fan     •  
Heat Recovery Options     •  
Multiple stages available     •  
Heat pipe     •  
Solid desiccant     •  
Liquid desiccant     •  
Type II desiccant     •  
Sensible wheel     •  
Total energy wheel     •  
Coil runaround loops     •  
Fixed plate heat exchanger     •  
Fixed membrane heat exchanger     •  
Duct losses        
Direct, plenum, and ducted return paths • • • •
CFM loss reduces air to zone • • • •
Thermal & air losses affect surrounding zone temp • • •