35

ENERGY DESIGN TOOLS

An overwhelming number of energy-related software programs are currently available. Inthe past few years, new programs have emerged and enhancements have been made tosome programs to make them more state-of-the-art and more user-friendly.

The Department of Energy’s Building Energy Software Tools Directory providesexcellent online information on over 200 such programs, many of which emphasizerenewable energy and energy efficiency. Energy programs differ in their usability, accuracy,CAD compatibility, and how well they address "whole building," integrated, efficient design.The DOE directory profiles describe the strengths and weaknesses of each program, andyou can search the directory by subject, by country, by platform (PC, Mac, Unix, Internet),and alphabetically. Many of the profiles provided in this Tool Kit are based on information inthe DOE directory profiles. (However, some of the directory profiles are now a few years oldand thus are slightly outdated.) To search the DOE’s directory, go to:http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/tools_directory/

Another great resource is the local PG&E Pacific Energy Center at 851 Howard Street near5th, in San Francisco. The center offers regular, free workshops on building energy topics,

Energy conservation and efficiency, and use of renewable energy, are the major elementsof this category. Another area is the reduction of ozone-depleting substances. Energyand atmosphere considerations include the following: iii

❚ Building Systems Commissioning: Verify and ensure that building elements and systemsare designed, installed, and calibrated to operate as intended.

❚ Measurement and Verification: Provide for the ongoing accountability and optimizationof building energy and water consumption performance over time.

❚ Optimize Energy Performance: Achieve levels of energy performance at (or above) Title24 levels (in California) to reduce environmental impacts associated with excessive energyuse. (Measures include: integrated/whole building systems design; passive solar designstrategies; natural ventilation strategies; high-performance façade and envelope systems;efficient HVAC systems; efficient lighting and appliances; etc.)

❚ Renewable Energy (on site): Encourage and recognize increasing levels of self-supplythrough renewable technologies to reduce environmental impacts associated with fossilfuel energy use.

❚ Green Power: Encourage the development and use of grid-source energy technologieson a net zero pollution basis.

❚ Ozone Depletion: Reduce ozone depletion and support early compliance with theMontreal Protocol (zero use of CFC, HCFC, or Halon-based HVAC, refrigeration, and firesuppression systems).

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including presentations on modeling tools. The center also has a Heliodon, a mechanicaldevice used to physically model how the sun will hit a site at any time during the year at anygeographic location; and the center features a Tool Lending Library that providesmeasurement tools for analyzing solar availability, wind, topography, and other siteconditions. For more information, visit the center, go to http://www.pge.com/pec/ or call thePEC at 415-973-7268.

Detailed profiles of a number of energy design software tools are provided in this section,within the areas of energy simulation / whole building design, photovoltaic design, lightingand daylighting design, skylight design, fenestration design, HVAC systems design, andenergy design training. The profiled tools were selected because they are some of the mostwidely used and recommended, they can be used for commercial/institutional projects,and./or they can be used by designers who are not necessarily energy specialists.

There are a number of energy simulation tools that are not included in this Tool Kit, in mostcases because they are highly technical and are only used by energy specialists. Someadditional programs include DOE-2, RESEM, Trace, SPARK, HAP, and BLAST. BLAST is saidto have a very accurate simulation engine, but it is highly technical and not as user-friendly asmany of the programs profiled in this report. There are also a number of programsdeveloped outside of the United States (such as the solar PV tool, RETScreen), which cansometimes be useful in the U.S. context. Descriptions of almost all energy softwareprograms can be found on the DOE’s online database(http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/tools_directory/).

In addition to software tools, this section lists other types of energy design-related resources(such as websites, databases, or guides) at the end of each sub-section.

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WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN TOOLS

Detailed profiles of the following tools are provided in this section: eQuest, Solar-5, EnergyScheming, Energy-10, EnergyPlus, EnergyPro, VisualDOE, and Building Design Advisor.

A few of the programs—such as Energy Scheming and Solar-5—are designed specifically tobe used by architects, in the schematic design phase. Building Design Advisor is alsointended for use during schematic design (and beyond) and it has a daylighting model, butthe program is still in its Beta phase. EnergyPro is a California Title 24 compliance tool; andeQuest may also be in the future. Energy-10 useful for passive solar strategies, such asbuilding orientation. And VisualDOE is a CAD-compatible simulation tool based on DOE-2.1E.See the profiles for more detailed information on each program.

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eQUEST v. 2.5

DESIGN TOOLS: WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN: eQuest 2.5

Advantages:

❚ Models building energy use over a typical year using hourly climatic data.❚ Allows for fast and effective comparison and "testing" of alternative systems.❚ Robust, DOE-2-derived calculation engine.❚ Extensive reporting parameters.❚ Can import AutoCAD drawings; comes with a drawing module.❚ Easy to use; helpful Wizards for quick preliminary building modeling.❚ Gearing up to be a major Title 24 compliance tool (pending CEC review).❚ Can be downloaded; also is on the Energy Design Resources CD-ROM, along

with SkyCalc.

Disadvantages:

❚ Non-standard HVAC systems design (radiant systems, underfloor ventilation)cannot be modeled by non-experts, using this tool.

❚ Unstable technical support.❚ Not yet Title-24 compliant (pending).

FORMAT: Software (Windows) — Web download or CD-ROM

APPLICATIONS: Energy simulation, HVAC, loads, envelope, lighting, etc. fornon-residential buildings

INTENDED USERS: Architects, engineers, lighting designers

CREATED BY: Energy Design Resources (CA Public Utilities Commission)

COST: Free

h t t p : / / w w w. e n e r g y d e s i g n r e s o u r c e s . c o m

"

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Solar v. 5.7

DESIGN TOOLS: WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN: SOLAR 5.7

Advantages:

❚ Generates a basic building design based on only four pieces of data (floor area,number of stories, location, and building type) and will develop more detaileddesigns as more information is added.

❚ Displays 3-D plots of hourly energy performance, heat flow through thermal mass,indoor air temperature, daylighting, HVAC system output, cost of electricity andheating fuel, and the corresponding amount of air pollution.

❚ Validated against DOE-2 and BLAST.❚ User-friendly.

FORMAT: Software (Windows)

APPLICATIONS: Early/schematic stages of design for smallcommercial/institutional (or residential) projects (not intendedfor complex mechanical system design or equipment sizing)

INTENDED USERS: Architects

CREATED BY: UCLA Department of Architecture

COST: Free

h t t p : / / w w w. a u d . u c l a . e d u / e n e r g y - d e s i g n - t o o l s

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Energy Scheming v. 3.0

DESIGNTOOLS: WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN: Energy Scheming 3.0

Advantages:

❚ 24-hour load analysis❚ User-friendly, intuitive, easy to learn❚ Graphical/visual data input and output❚ Can export to DOE-2.1❚ Because it’s meant for use during early, schematic design phase, enables

consideration of energy issues at same time as basic architectural issues, suchas site orientation, elevation, etc.

❚ Takes into account building heat loss, solar gain, ventilation, daylighting, shading,etc.

FORMAT: Software (Mac only)

APPLICATIONS: Schematic design, envelope, energy efficiency, loadcalculations, commercial and residential

INTENDED USERS: Architects, building designers, students

CREATED BY: University of Oregon, Department of Architecture, Eugene, OR(Available through Oikos.com)

COST: $250

h t t p : / / w w w. e r e n . d o e . g o v / b u i l d i n g s / t o o l s _ d i r e c t o r y / s o f t w a r e / e n e r g y s c . h t m

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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E n e r g y- 1 0

DESIGN TOOLS: WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN: Energy-10

Advantages:

❚ Analyzes and illustrates the energy and cost savings that can be achievedthrough more than a dozen sustainable design strategies, including daylighting,renewable energy systems, passive solar heating, natural ventilation, well-insulated envelopes, high-efficiency windows, lighting systems, and mechanicalequipment.

❚ Provides site-specific climate data.❚ User-friendly.❚ Accurate.❚ Automatic generation of base cases and energy-efficient alternatives.❚ Hourly energy simulations.❚ Comes with the Designing Low-Energy Buildings: Passive Solar Strategies design

guidelines handbook.

FORMAT: Software (Windows)

APPLICATIONS: Design, whole building performance simulation, passive designstrategies, renewable energy; small commercial andinstitutional (<10,000 SF) and residential

INTENDED USERS: Architects, building designers, HVAC engineers, utilities,students

CREATED BY: Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, National RenewableEnergy Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,Berkeley Solar Group (with support from the U.S. Departmentof Energy)

COST: $250 (site license $500)

h t t p : / / w w w. s b i c o u n c i l . o r g / s o f t /h t t p : / / w w w. n r e l . g o v / b u i l d i n g s / e n e r g y 1 0

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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E n e r g yP l u s

DESIGNTOOLS: WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN: EnergyPlus

"A new generation building energy simulation program that builds on the most popularfeatures and capabilities of BLAST and DOE-2. EnergyPlus will include innovativesimulation capabilities including time steps of less than an hour, modular systemssimulation modules that are integrated with a heat balance-based zone simulation,and input and output data structures tailored to facilitate third party interfacedevelopment. Other planned simulation capabilities include solar thermal, multizoneairflow, and electric power simulation including photovoltaic systems and fuel cells."

(DOE profile)

Advantages:

❚ Models building energy use over a typical year using hourly climatic data.❚ High level of computer literacy not required.❚ Accurate, detailed simulation capabilities through complex modeling capabilities.

Input is geared to the 'object' model way of thinking. Successful interfacing usingIFC standard architectural model has been demonstrated.

❚ Extensive testing (comparing to available test suites) is being done duringdevelopment and results will be made available.

❚ EnergyPlus has been tested against the IEA BESTest building load and HVACtests.

Disadvantages:

❚ Difficult to use without a graphical user interface. (It remains to be seen whetheran interface is developed; DOE does not plan to develop one.)

FORMAT: Software (Windows)

APPLICATIONS: Energy simulation, load calculation, building performance, heatbalance, mass balance, renewable energy, retrofit analysis

INTENDED USERS: Mechanical, energy, and architectural engineers working forarchitect/engineer firms, consulting firms, utilities, federalagencies, research universities, and research laboratories.Engineering background helpful for analysis portions.

CREATED BY: Department of Energy

COST: Free download (Version 1-Beta)

h t t p : / / w w w. e r e n . d o e . g o v / b u i l d i n g s / e n e r g y p l u s /

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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V i s u a l D O E v. 3.0GreenDesign Tools

DESIGN TOOLS: WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN: VisualDOE 3.0

Advantages:

❚ Based on DOE-2.1E simulation tool; energy use and peak demand evaluated onan hourly basis. Comes with complete DOE-2.1E documentation.

❚ Software Suite includes VisualPlant, VisualRate, VisualSchedule, andVisualConstruction (also sold separately)

❚ Can construct model using standard block shapes or a built-in drawing tool❚ Weather data provided❚ CAD compatible❚ Skylight editor feature❚ Unlimited technical support

Disadvantages:

❚ Difficult to model advanced features, such as displacement ventilation (a limitation of DOE-2).

FORMAT: Software (Windows)

APPLICATIONS: Energy performance, design, research, commercial andresidential, new and retrofit

INTENDED USERS: Architects, engineers, contractors, energy analysts, utilities,building owners, etc.

CREATED BY: Eley Associates, San Francisco

COST: $800 for first license

h t t p : / / w w w. e l e y. c o m

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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EnergyPro v. 3.0

DESIGN TOOLS: WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN: EnergyPro 3.0

Advantages:

❚ California Energy Commission-supported, Title 24 compliance tool.❚ User-friendly, Report Wizards, Calculation Manager.❚ Models building energy use over a typical year using hourly climatic data.❚ 3.1 update now available for 3.0 users.❚ Prescriptive and performance/DOE-2.1E simulations.

FORMAT: Software (Windows)

APPLICATIONS: California Title 24 compliance, diagnostic, energy simulation,commercial and residential; envelope, lighting, HVAC/loads

INTENDED USERS: Title 24 energy consultants, builders, architects, utilities,mechanical engineers

CREATED BY: EnergySoft/Gabel Dodd, Novato, CA

COST: $1,350-$1400 for interface and ALL non-residential Title 24modules

h t t p : / / w w w. e n e r g y s o f t . c o m

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Building Design Advisorv. 3.0 (Beta 2)

DESIGN TOOLS: WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN: Building Design Advisor 3.0

Advantages:

❚ Supports the integration of multiple building models and databases.❚ Allows comparison of multiple design solutions with multiple descriptive and

performance parameters, for decision making.❚ Automatically prepares input to simulation tools and integrates their output.❚ Useful from the early, schematic phases through detailed specification of

components and systems.❚ Links to a Daylighting Computation Model, an Electric Lighting Computation

Model, and DOE-2.1E.

FORMAT: Software (Windows) — Web download (Beta version)

APPLICATIONS: Schematic design, energy performance, daylighting, prototypes,commercial buildings

INTENDED USERS: Architects and engineers

CREATED BY: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

COST: Free (Beta version)

h t t p : / / g a i a . l b l . g o v / B D A

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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PHOTOVOLTAIC DESIGN TOOLS

A couple of programs are available to help building designers position and size photovoltaic(PV) solar panel systems (as well as solar hot water heating and wind power systems) fortheir projects. Clean Power Estimator and PV WATTS are free web-based programs, whilePV-DesignPro and SolarPro are more technical programs available for purchase.

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Clean Power Estimator

DESIGN TOOLS: PHOTOVOLTAIC DESIGN: Clean Power Estimator

Advantages:

❚ Similar to PV WATTS, but also has utility rate tariffs built in and addresses windpower, as well as solar.

❚ Generates information on: net cost, annual and monthly savings and costs, cashflow, tax rates, daily and monthly electricity output, avoided CO2 emissions,current and proposed loads, wind outputs and wind power curve.

❚ Generates customized reports based on location and information enteredregarding electric utility bill, rate schedule, the type of generating system, annualcost of electricity, and preferred ways of paying for or financing the system(s).

❚ Allows for evaluating potential future rate increases.❚ Provides net metering rate schedules.❚ User-friendly.

FORMAT: Interactive website (more graphics for Windows than for Mac)

APPLICATIONS: Cost estimating for photovoltaic and small wind powergenerating systems cost estimating; commercial or residential

INTENDED USERS: California residents, commercial electric customers

CREATED BY: California Energy Commission / Clean Power Research

COST: Free

h t t p : / / w w w. c l e a n - p o w e r. c o m / c e c /

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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PV Wa t ts

DESIGN TOOLS: PHOTOVOLTAIC DESIGN: PV Watts

Advantages:

❚ Uses hourly weather data from stations throughout the U.S.❚ Calculates the estimate of monthly and annual energy production in kWh and

cost savings.❚ Two types of calculators are available; user has the option to specify a specific

location, PV system size, local electric costs, and type of PV array, or can usedefault system parameters.

FORMAT: Interactive website

APPLICATIONS: Calculates performance estimates of electrical energyproduced by a grid-connected photovoltaic system.

INTENDED USERS: Non-experts

CREATED BY: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

COST: Free

http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/codes_algs/PVWATTS/

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Solar Design Studio Suite:

PV-DesignPro v. 5.0SolarPro v. 2.0

DESIGNTOOLS: PHOTOVOLTAIC DESIGN: PV-DesignPro 5.0 and SolarPro 2.0

Advantages:

❚ Hourly, annual modeling based on local climate and system design.❚ Includes climate and PV panel databases.❚ Provides information on likely system power output and load consumption, and

necessary backup power.❚ Based on the Sandia Labs field testing model.❚ Includes financial costing and buyback factors.

FORMAT: Software (Windows) — CD-ROM

APPLICATIONS: PV-DesignPro: Simulates photovoltaic energy system operationfor off-grid standalone systems with battery storage, grid-connected systems with no battery storage, or for waterpumping systems. SolarPro: Simulates the operation of anactive solar hot water heating system.

INTENDED USERS: PV system design professionals, architects, engineers, etc.

CREATED BY: Maui Solar Energy Software Corp.

COST: $149 (for the suite of programs; $125 for SolarPro only)

http://mauisolarsoftware.com

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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LIGHTING & DAYLIGHTING DESIGN TOOLS

Some of the most popular lighting and daylighting software programs include DesktopRadiance, Lumen Micro, and Lightscape; these three are profiled in this report. Alsosummarized are Lithonia Visual, Superlite, AGI 32, ProjectKalc, and FLEX, as well as a fewnon-software tools.

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Desktop Radiance

DESIGN TOOLS: LIGHTING & DAYLIGHTING DESIGN: Desktop Radiance

Advantages:

❚ AutoCAD-14 compatible.❚ Very accurate simulation engine, which takes into account multiple reflectants.❚ Produces photo-realistic images of architectural space in all lighting conditions.❚ Includes libraries of materials, glazings, luminaires, and furnishings.❚ Facilitates energy-efficient lighting and daylighting design.❚ Predicts financial and experiential benefits.❚ Produces DOE-2-ready data.

Note: Adeline 2.0 is the Windows interface for the UNIX version of Radiance.

FORMAT: Software (Windows or UNIX)

APPLICATIONS: Advanced lighting and daylighting simulation and rendering forinterior and exterior spaces.

INTENDED USERS: Lighting designers, architects

CREATED BY: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (with PG&E)

COST: Free

http://radsite.lbl.gov/deskrad/

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Lumen Micro 2000

DESIGN TOOLS: LIGHTING & DAYLIGHTING DESIGN: Lumen Micro 2000

Advantages:

❚ CAD interface and import/export available.❚ Includes an extensive product library.❚ Can be linked to Lightscape 3.2 for photo-realistic color renderings.❚ Animated walkthrough option.❚ User-friendly.

Disadvantage:

❚ Program not designed for modeling irregular, non-rectangular spaces.

Note:

Lighting Technologies, Inc. also sells Lightscape 3.2 by Autodesk and Simply Lighting 2002.

FORMAT: Software (Windows)

APPLICATIONS: Lighting design, simulation, analysis, and specification forinterior and exterior spaces.

INTENDED USERS: Lighting designers, specifiers

CREATED BY: Lighting Technologies, Inc.

COST: $600

http://www.lumenmicro.com

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Lightscape v. 3.2

DESIGN TOOLS: LIGHTING & DAYLIGHTING DESIGN: LightScape 3.2

Advantages:

❚ Complements all Autodesk design and animation programs; compatible withAutoCAD 2000 and previous version.

❚ Can plug into Autodesk’s new 3D Studio VIZ and Studio MAX software.❚ Simulation with radiosity captures subtle lighting effects.❚ Interactive walkthrough of virtual environments.❚ User-friendly interface.

Note: Lightscape can be used with Lumen Micro.

FORMAT: Software (Windows)

APPLICATIONS: Sophisticated rendering,, lighting ray tracing

CREATED BY: Autodesk

COST: $595 (discounts available to government agencies)

h t t p : / / w w w. l i g h t s c a p e . c om

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Other Lighting/Daylighting Software Tools:

Lithonia Visual 2.21http://www.lithonialightinggroup.com/visual/Basic Edition available via free download. Contact Lithonia for copy of Professional Edition.

Superlite 2.0http://eetd.lbl.gov/btp/superlite2.htmlLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. DOS-based daylighting tool. Free download.

AGI 32—Version 1.52http://www.agi32.comLighting Analysts, Inc. Windows-based electric lighting tool. $895 (for single user).

ProjectKalchttp://208.254.22.6/index.cfm?c=business.bus_index Energy Star: U.S. Department of Energy/Environmental Protection Agency. Lightingupgrade, energy and economic analysis tool. Free download.

FLEX 3.0.1http://www.fishbaugher.com/flex/index.htmlFederal Lighting Energy Expert, from the Federal Energy Management Program.Windows/DOS lighting retrofit, lifecycle costing tool for energymanagers. Free.

Other Lighting/Daylighting Resources:

HeliodonPG&E Pacific Energy Center, 415-973-7268851 Howard St., San FranciscoThe Heliodon is a mechanical device used to physically model how the sun will hit a site atany time during the year at any geographic location.

EDR Lightshttp://www.energydesignresources.comA distance learning program on lighting tailored for California architects, contractors, andengineers. Self-paced course covering energy efficient lighting for new, non-residentialconstruction.

Advanced Lighting Guidelines—2001 Editionhttp://www.newbuildings.org/lighting.htmNew Buildings Institute / IESNA. Available as PDF download, print copy, or CD ($27.50).

Windows and Daylighting websitehttp://windows.lbl.govA Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory website.

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SKYLIGHT DESIGN TOOL

The SkyCalc software program is profiled in this section, accompanied by links to two otherfree online resources related to skylight design.

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SkyCalc v. 1.1

DESIGN TOOLS: SKYLIGHT DESIGN: SkyCalc 1.1

Advantages:

❚ One-of-a-kind program that calculates the lighting and whole building energyimpacts of various designs.

❚ Provides data for many climate zones in California.❚ Compares the net energy cost savings using a variety of electric lighting control

strategies.❚ Produces graphs and charts that describe hourly, annual energy-use patterns.❚ User-friendly; simple data inputs.❚ SkyCalc User Guide is available, as are Skylighting Guidelines and case studies.❚ Can be downloaded; also is on the Energy Design Resources CD-ROM, along

with eQuest.

(Note: This program does not provide accurate data for buildings with more than a slight roof

slope.)

FORMAT: Excel spreadsheet (Windows) — Web download or CD-ROM

APPLICATIONS: To be used for determining the optimum sizing and spacing ofskylights to achieve the maximum lighting and HVAC energysavings for a building (for commercial, flat-roofed buildingsonly).

INTENDED USERS: Architects, engineers, lighting designers

CREATED BY: Energy Design Resources (CA Public Utilities Commission)

COST: Free

http://www.energydesignresources.com/tools/skycalc.html

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Other Skylight Design Resources:

Energy Design Resources http://www.energydesignresources.com/publications.htmlCase Studies, Design Briefs, and Skylighting Guidelines

AAMA Skylight Handbook http://www.aamanet.org/American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s design guidelines with worksheets andspreadsheets. Emphasis on optimizing energy efficiency.

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63

FENESTRATION DESIGN TOOLS

There are several free software programs for efficient window design and selection,designed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. However, none of them are ideallysuited for use by city architects or engineers. The following are brief descriptions of theavailable programs and their applications:

Therm 2.1ahttp://windows.lbl.gov/software/therm/therm.htmlA program for analyzing two-dimensional heat transfer through building products; primarilyfor use by building component manufacturers, engineers, and students.

Resfen 3.1http://windows.lbl.gov/software/resfen/resfen.html A program for calculating the heating and cooling energy use of windows in residentialbuildings; helpful for comparing the performance of two or more different window types.

Window 4.1/5.0 http://windows.lbl.gov/software/window/window.htmlA program for analyzing window thermal and optical performance; primarily used by windowmanufacturers to rate their products and by public officials developing building energycodes.

Other Fenestration Resources

Windows and Daylighting websiteLawrence Berkeley National Laboratoryhttp://windows.lbl.gov/

Efficient Windows Collaborativehttp://www.efficientwindows.org

Energy Star Windows product listhttp://www.energystar.gov/products/windows/index.html

PG&E’s What to Look for in Windowshttp://www.pge.com/003_save_energy/003a_res/pdf/window.pdf

Also see the SkyCalc and the AAMA Skylight Handbook descriptions in the previous section.

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65

H.V.A.C. SYSTEMS DESIGN TOOLS

The HVAC software tools profiled here are MotorMaster, QuikFan/QuikChill,YORKworks/YorkCalc, and System Analyzer.

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MotorMaster+ v. 3.0

DESIGN TOOLS: H.V.A.C. SYSTEMS DESIGN: MotorMaster+ 3.0

Advantages:

❚ Includes motor inventory management tools, maintenance log tracking, efficiencyanalysis, lifecycle costing, savings evaluation, energy accounting, etc.

❚ Used to identify inefficient or oversized facility motors

FORMAT: Software download (or online)

APPLICATIONS: Analyzing motor and motor system efficiency.

INTENDED USERS: Consulting engineers, utility auditors

CREATED BY: Washington State University Cooperative Extension EnergyProgram. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office ofIndustrial Technologies Best Practices Program

COST: Free

h t t p : / / m m 3 . e n e r g y.wsu.edu/mmplus/default.stm

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Q u i k F a n v. 4.0

QuikChill v. 1.00

DESIGN TOOLS: H.V.A.C. SYSTEMS DESIGN: QuikFan 4.0 and QuikChill 1.00

Advantages:

❚ User-friendly❚ QuikFan provides screening-level data without complex building data; relates to

the application of variable speed drives to fan motors; has options for high-efficiency motor installation and static pressure reset.

❚ QuikChill performs full economic and energy analyses of upgrade scenariosinvolving complex chiller plants; handles consolidation of existing chillers,integration of new chillers, and retrofits to existing chillers. An excellent tool forCFC phase-out issues.

FORMAT: Software download

APPLICATIONS: Variable Air Volume (VAV) system and centrifugal chiller costanalyses

CREATED BY: Energy Star (U.S. Department of Energy / EnvironmentalProtection Agency)

COST: Free

http://208.254.22.6/index.cfm?c=business.bus_index

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Y O R K w o r k sYo r k C a l c

DESIGNTOOLS: H.V.A.C. SYSTEMS DESIGN TOOLS: YorkCalc

Advantages:

❚ Includes the YorkCalc program for calculating and comparing costs of operatingsingle or multiple chillers from multiple manufacturers.

❚ Also includes programs for configuring, selecting, and rating indoor and outdoorair handling units; loose coils; and DX chiller products.

FORMAT: Software (Windows) CD-ROM

APPLICATIONS: Design of HVAC systems, including chillers, air handling units,coils.

CREATED BY: YORK International

COST: Contact YORK sales representative

http://www.york.com/products/esg/Software/EngYorkWorks/body.asp

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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System Analyzerv. 5.0

DESIGN TOOLS: H.V.A.C. SYSTEMS DESIGN: SystemAnalyzer 5.0

Advantages:

❚ User-friendly❚ Comes with one year of technical support

FORMAT: Software CD-ROM and downloads

APPLICATIONS: Energy and lifecycle cost comparisons for commercial HVACsystems

CREATED BY: Trane

COST: $995 (single user)

h t t p : / / w w w. t r a n e . c o m / c o m m e r c i a l / s o f t w a r e / a n a l y s i s . a s p

DOWNLOAD I FORMAT

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Other HVAC Software Tools

Hydronics Design Tool Kithttp://www.oikos.com/esb/48/hydronicsoftware.htmlThis is a DOS-based software program for hydronic heating system design. It has 19modules for tasks such as expansion tank sizing, room heat-load calculation, pipe sizing, andfuel cost estimation. $70.

There are a number of other software tools for HVAC design, many of which are highly technical and

meant primarily for use by HVAC experts. These include TRACE (Load 700), HAP, Elite, and Wrightsoft.

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ENERGY DESIGN TRAINING TOOLS

EcoAdvisor http://www.ecoadvisor.comWeb or CD; Windows only.Free (online version); $49.95 per CD(for government users).Interactive, multimedia training andguidance tools, which adapt to users’location and level of expertise. Thegraphics-intensive lessons are usefulfor building owners, managers, anddecision-makers, as well as construction agencies and design professionals. The HVACEnergy Primer has been completed; it is focused on mechanical system design for largebuildings. Modules for Lighting, Daylighting, and Building Form & Envelope are beingdeveloped. To use the free online version, Macromedia Authorware must be downloaded.

E Source Technology Atlas Serieshttp://www.esource.com/public/products/prosp_atlas.aspPrint and CD-ROM, $750 (CD-ROM only), $950 (both)Five-volume set, Windows or Mac.Comprehensive reference volumes covering Lighting, Cooling, Heating, Drivepower, andAppliances. Includes detailed illustrations, graphics, and photographs, and cross-references.Excerpts can be viewed at the above website.

Other Energy Design Resources

RESEM (Retrofit Energy Savings Estimation Model)http://eande.lbl.gov/BTP/resem.htmPC/DOS-based software program; free downloadAn interactive tool from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for determining energysavings from retrofit measures in institutional buildings. Originally developed for the U.S.Department of Energy’s Institutional Conservation Program. Meant for use by buildingmanagers and energy retrofit engineers. Requires only minimal user input. Automaticallyaccesses weather and utility data.

Energy Star http://www.energystar.govA joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.The website provides information on energy efficiency, as well as lists of products with theEnergy Star rating (including roofs, appliances, lighting, etc.).

RoadMaps to Energy Efficiency http://www.energyroadmaps.org/road/Online and print versions.Global Green USA and Environment Now’s guide to retrofitting commercial properties,particularly office buildings; organized by three approaches: Do It Yourself, hire an energyconsultant, or contract with an energy service company.