The Use of Building Simulation

and Design Software in the

Building Design Process
ASHRAE Twin Tiers
Annual Spring Symposium
April 19, 2005

Hugh I. Henderson, Jr., P.E.

CDH Energy Corp.
Cazenovia, NY
ARTI Project Snapshot
(Project 605-30020) www.arti-research.org

n “State-of-the Art” Review of Software

n Look at software tools and “integrated
design” from two perspectives:

• Architect/General Contractor

• Engineer/Mechanical Contractor

n Focused on small commercial (<20k)

n How can software tools help to integrate
the design process?
n Project completed in 2001… before LEED
Presentation Overview
n The whole building design concept

n What software do engineers & architects

use (based on “market research”)?

n What types of software are available?

n Comparing mainstream simulation tools

n The promise of software interoperability

n What to expect for the future

Whole Building Design
What is “Whole Building Design”
n Whole-building analysis in the design of
small commercial buildings
• Design the building as a system
• Consider the mutual interactions of design
decisions affecting the architectural form,
opaque shell, glazing, lighting, and HVAC
systems on building first costs and operating
costs
• Integrate whole-building analysis tools into
existing or emerging design practices to
encourage widespread use.
“Can’t we all just get along..”
n Whole building design: architectural and
engineering teams have to work together
from beginning
• Often means engineer should be involved
sooner
• Engineer (or specialized consultant) generally
has knowledge of specialized software tools
• Can quantitative tools be used before design is
finalized?
n Examples of benefits:
• Better windows vs. less HVAC
n Its about better communication
n Can software interoperability help?
Whole Building Design Process
Architectural Design and Construction Phases

Pre-Design / Schematic Design Construction Construction Post-

Programming Design Phase Development Documents and Occupancy
Phase Phase Phase Commissioning Evaluation
Phase Phase

Whole Building Design Process Activities

Commitment, Team
Building, Goal Setting

Concept Identification,
Design Optimization
Contract Document Review,
Bidding, Construction Oversight

Commissioning

Operations and Maintenance

Integration
Design Sequence

Design
Programming development Construction

Potential
cost-effective
energy savings

Level of
design effort

Schematic Construction Occupancy

design documents
Phase of design process
Source: ENSAR Gro up and E SOURCE
Whole Building Design Benefits
n Simple upgrade approach
• Standard design is upgraded with energy
efficient equipment
• 10-30% energy savings with 5-10 yr. simple
payback
n Whole building approach
• Design philosophy incorporates energy issues
• Building designed to meet the budget
• 20-50% energy savings at little or no capital
cost impact
n Whole building energy analysis (WBEA)
tools facilitate design process
Why Use WBEA ?
When more than just size matters?

Examples where simple load and sizing

analysis is not enough:
n Daylighting benefits/tradeoffs
n HVAC control issues (economizer, DCV)
n Refrigeration/HVAC interactions and
tradeoffs (supermarkets)
n Geothermal Heat Pumps vs. other systems
n Dehumidification performance
n Thermal storage
n Distributed generation / BCHP benefits
n Natural /Mixed Ventilation
The Impact of LEED & NYSERDA
n LEED is now #1 driver of whole building
design process
• “….energy savings? Who cares, just give me
my points!”
n LEED has been highly successful
promoting the use of whole building
design.
n NYSERDA New Construction Program has
also been successfully promoting whole
building design approach in NY for many
years
• generally using building simulation tools (DOE-
2, HAP, TRACE, etc)
• Consultant supports the design team
What Software to
Practitioners Use?
“Market Research” Approach
n Research and understand customer
needs
• Designers and builders of small commercial
buildings
n Evaluate existing tools/software against
customer needs
n Suggest enhancements to tools based on
customer needs
• Customer identified
• Anticipated
n Data collection
1. Web Survey
2. Focus Groups
Web Survey
n Posted a questionnaire at web site for 2-3
months in late 2000
n Motivated respondents with a giveaway
n Solicited respondents by email from
targeted lists
n Nearly 200 qualified respondents
completed the survey
Respondent Demographics
N=198

Missing

1.0%

Contractors & Others

10.6%

Engineers
Architects & Designe
31.3%
57.1%
Office-Wide Design Practices
>20,000 Sq.Ft. <20,000 Sq. Ft.
(% “always”) (% “always”)
2D-CAD 82.2% 76.3%

3D-CAD Simple 10.3% 9.7%

3D-CAD 7.4% 6.9%

Detailed
Web-Based 3.3% 2.7%
Project Mgmt.
Office-Wide Design Practices
>20,000 Sq.Ft. <20,000 Sq. Ft.
(% “always”) (% “always”)
Paper-based 14.9% 15.3%
energy code
compliance
Software-based 14.8% 13.6%
energy code
compliance
Advanced 5.0% 5.4%
energy analysis
beyond
requirements
Tools Used “Most Often”
HVAC Equipment Sizing:

What Method Do You Use Most Often?

Mfgs' sizing softwar

Other
51.7%
.8%

Manual J worksheet

4.2%

Bldg energy sim

6.8%

3rd party sizing sof

8.5%
Previous experience,
Other
16.9%
11.0%
Top Three Tools Used Most Often
n Form, Siting, Orient. n HVAC Equip Sizing
• Renderings (33%) • Mfg. software (52%)
• Prev. exper. (32%) • Prev. exper. (11%)
• 3D software (13%) • 3rd party software (9%)
n Lighting & Daylighting n Duct and Pipe Design
• Prev. exper. (50%) • Ductilator (58%)
• Mfg. literature (13%) • Prev. exper. (18%)
• Ltg. Software (11%) • Mfg. software (8%)
n Envelope and Glazing n HVAC Equip Selection
• Prev. exper. (38%) • Mfg. literature (47%)
• Mfg. literature (18%) • Mfg. software (16%)
• HVAC load calcs (10%) • Prev. exper. (14%)
Top 3 Tools Used Most Often
n IAQ and Vent Analysis n Green Design
• ASHRAE 62 (38%) • Prev. exper. (31%)
• Prev. exper. (26%) • Mfg. literature (20%)
• State code (23%) • Rating system (13%)
n Refrigeration System n Energy Analysis &
Design and Spec. Code Compliance
• Mfg. literature (49%) • Paper forms (27%)
• Prev. exper. (26%) • Mfg. software (18%)
• Mfg. software (12%) • Prev. exper. (10%)
Focus Group Participants
Denver Focus Group Syracuse Focus Group
n Firms n Firms
• 4 Architecture firms • 4 Architecture firms
• 3 Design/build firms • 1 Design/build firm
• 1 Engineering firm • 3 Engineering firms
n Disciplines n Disciplines
• 5 Architects • 4 Architects
• 3 Engineers • 3 Engineers
n Software Tools Used • 1 Construction Mgr.
• 2D CAD, 3D CAD, n Sofware Tools Used
Code compliance, • 2D CAD, 3D CAD, Mfg.
Estimating, Mfg. product selection and
product selection and sizing software, duct
sizing software design software
Focus Group Findings
n Lots of software being used
• CAD
• Equipment selection
• System sizing
• Cost estimating
n Lots of redundant data entry
n CAD is mostly 2D; going to 3D is a big step
Focus Group Findings
n Computerized HVAC Loads common
• Tradeoffs are evaluated in some cases
– Mostly glazing; lighting generally not considered
– Depends on when the ME is brought into the process
• Schedules don’t permit a lot of interaction
between disciplines
– Design-build projects more likely to encourage
collaboration
• Iterations, especially cost estimating, are time
consuming
Focus Group Findings
n Software supplied by HVAC equipment
manufacturers most common
n Not very happy with software provided by
manufacturers
• expensive, hard to use, not well supported
• …but, very well marketed
n Energy simulations rarely done
• Incremental data entry should be small
• Software hard to use; not well linked
Focus Group Findings
n Time and training are major barriers to
increased software use
n Limiting liability is major motivator
n Reps are important part of process
• Push software
• Provide analysis
n Lack of tools a barrier to increased use of
daylighting and innovative electric lighting
n Web-based tools starting to be used
• Catalogs
• Selection software
Market Research Conclusions:
Designers’ Needs
n Simplified tools for use during concept
design
• Evaluate options
• Set goals
n Improve usability and interoperability of
software tools
• 3D CAD software that is easier to use
• Load and energy programs linked with CAD
• Links to cost estimating software/databases
• Improve interface between lighting and building
energy packages
• Automated parametrics
Overview of Software Tools
Broad Spectrum of Software
Tools Related to Buildings/HVAC
n What are capabilities of each tool?
n Who uses them for what purpose?
• Building designers (sizing / design)
• ESCO or utilities
• Researchers / policy wonks
n Who created or promoted the tool and for
what purpose?
• Assist designers
• Promote technology / products
• Promote energy efficiency
• Environmental Impacts
• Evaluate building science
Software Tool “Taxonomy”
n Previous lists of tools have been “self
classified” (e.g., DOE’s list)
n We looked at who uses (or is likely to use)
each tool
n What tools currently are used by “Design
Practitioners”
n What tools require expert “knowledge” or
complex input data
n Distinguish between detailed hourly energy
analysis and simplified approaches
DOE Software List:
www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/
Tool Categories
Whole Building Energy Analysis Tools
Practitioner Design Tools Simplified Energy Analysis Models (DD, bin analysis,
CAD Environments day profile per month)
Lighting Design Tools Basic Hourly Simulation Models (calculation engines)
Architectural Visualization Tools General Hourly Simulation Models
Fenestration Selection Tools Special Purpose Hourly Simulation Models
Shading / Solar Angle Tools Screening Tools
Code Compliance Tools
Single-Zone Load Tools
Multi-Zone HVAC System Load Tools Economic & Environmental Tools
Duct Sizing / Layout Tools General Life Cycle Tools
Cost Estimating Tools Technology Screening / Assessment Tools
Integrated Design Suites Environmental Impact Assessment Tools
HVAC Product Selection and Configuration Tools
Engineers “Toolbox” Specialized Analysis Tools
Piping Analysis and Pump Sizing Tools Daylighting / Illumination Models
IAQ / Standard 62 Compliance Tools
Fenestration Models
Psychrometric Tools
Infiltration / Pollutant / Pressurization Models
Refrigeration Load Tools
2D & 3D Heat and Moisture Transfer Models
Coil Selection Tools
Geothermal HP Loop Sizing Tools Computational Fluid Dynamics Models
Acoustics Analysis Tools Equation-Based Solvers
Solar DHW / PV System Design Tools General Component-Based Mechanical Models
Weather Tools and Utilities Refrigeration System (Hardware-Based) Models
Refrigeration System Performance-Based)
Models

DOE List: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/

Practitioner Design Tools
n Automate or assist with day-to-day aspects
of design process
• CAD tools
• duct design and layout
• loads / HVAC sizing
• energy code compliance
• piping
• cost estimating
• many other tools to assist architects, etc
n Focus on practitioners in North America
• European practitioners may do more energy
analysis
Whole Building Energy Analysis
Tools (WBEA...our focus)
n Becoming part of the design process.
• mainly when incentives are provided
n Historically simplified tools have been used
• based on degree-day, bin methods, or daily
profile for each month
n Many detailed calculation engines have
been incorporated into general purpose
tools with highly-developed user interfaces
n Other technology-specific “screening tools”
have been developed using detailed
calculation engines
Economic & Environmental Tools
n Detailed life-cycle economic analysis tools
n Simplified screening tools
• often spreadsheet based
n Environmental impact and green building
compliance tools
• energy, emissions, materials, IAQ
• code or standard compliance
Specialized Tools
n Building science research tools
• conduction, fenestration
• infiltration, multi-zone airflow, pressurization,
contaminant transport
• daylighting, illuminance
• equation-based solvers
n Refrigeration-side models
• hardware based (component details)
• performance based (alternative refrigerant
studies)
 Whole Building
Energy Analysis (WBEA)
Tools
Review WBEA Tool Capabilities
n Selected 5 mainstream tools for detailed
comparisons
n Looked at their ability to consider various
technologies or technical issues
n Compared to “best available” specialty
tools
• are the WBEA tools state of the art?
• where should improvements be made?
n Usability matters
Loads vs. Energy Analysis
Major manufacturer’s (Carrier & Trane) offer
two types of software:
n multi-zone load and system sizing
• meets day-to-day needs of engineers
• much larger user base (2-5 times larger)
n hourly whole building energy analysis
• less popular among engineers
– typically done only when client requires it (e.g.,
federal projects, EO111, LEED)
• manufacturers focus less effort on these
versions (most tools still in DOS circa 2001)
n With the info input for loads, very little extra
effort is required for energy analysis
Mainstream “Whole” Building
Energy Analysis Tools
n DOE-2 - hourly simulation program from
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory & JJ Hirsch (DOE-
2.1e, DOE-2.2, PowerDOE, eQUEST, etc...)

n Energy-10 - simplified energy analysis

program from NREL

n EnergyPlus - next generation simulation

program from USDOE. No interface yet!

n Trane Trace - hourly energy analysis/loads

program from Trane Corporation

n Carrier HAP - hourly energy analysis/loads

program from Carrier Corporation
Technical: Daylighting

n DOE-2.1, 2.2 and Energy-10 use same engine

• Simple geometry
• Rectilinear surfaces
n Energy-10 will add Superlite algorithms in ver. 2
• roof monitors, light shelves, other complex fenestration
Technical: Glazing and Shell

n Most programs use annual average value for SC

or SHGC
n Energy-10 and eQUEST have glazing system
library
n Hourly Window 4 calculations planned for DOE2.2
(eQUEST)
n Most programs use 1-D heat transfer through
layers
n Thermal bridge calculations done elsewhere
n Energy-10 provides worksheet to calculate
thermal bridge effects
Technical: HVAC

n Most programs use simple empirical or semi-

theoretical curve fits for HVAC equipment
n Most have “hardwired calculations” for predefined
HVAC system types (Energy Plus is the
exception)
n Various program versions address specific issues:
• Desiccants (DESICALC version of DOE-2)
• Distributed generation / BCHP (eQUEST & DOE-2)
• Duct leakage (FSEC mods to DOE-2)
• Ground source heat pumps (1st order version in DOE-2)
• Indirect/direct evap cooling (DOE-2)
• Grocery refrigeration (simple version in DOE-2)
• VVT systems (HAP, DOE-2)
Other Technical/Modeling Issues

n Ground coupling
• Most programs use SS 1D heat transfer to deep ground
temp
• HAP uses ASHRAE procedure, updates ground temp
hourly
n Indoor Air Quality
• HAP and Trace ASHRAE critical zone calculations from
Std 62
• Other programs accept CFM/person and SF/person as
input
n Moisture Ad/Desorption in Building Materials
• Not covered by “Mainstream” programs (except
Energyplus)
• FSEC also has modified version of DOE-2.1E
Compare Capabilities
report has more “consumer report-type” tables

CAD Code System IAQ Thermal

interface Compliance Sizing Comfort

Future 4 4

4 4 4 4

Future 4 4
Trane Trace

Future Future 4
HAP
Interfaces vs. Calculation Engines

n Trend toward developing easy-to-use

interfaces for complex engines (DOE-2)
• general purpose (PowerDOE)
• specific purpose (DesiCalc)
• quick screening tools (EDR Charette, eQuest)
n Healthy trend
• uniform calculation methods
• people focus on what they do best
n Is a better user interface always the
answer?
EnergyPlus – technically the best
n “Best of” DOE-2, BLAST and others
n Calculations engine only (interfaces coming)
n Includes many
of the features
of other tools
Web-based Screening Tools
www.energydesignresources.com
eQUEST “Wizard” Approach
www.doe2.com
The Other Issue:
Intelligent Default Data
n To make tools easy to use, the interface
must also make “intelligent” decisions for
the user
• i.e., “give me in the schedules, settings, and
internal loads for a typical school”
n Default Libraries
• good libraries are available for a windows,
building materials, etc
• needed for HVAC equipment, components, etc
• Good role for AHSHRAE
n Interoperability will have a dramatic impact
Summary of Findings
n Lots of software tools being used by
practitioners
n Even more software tools are available
n Loads tools much more common used
than WBEA tools
n Extra time and effort for energy analysis is
not normally done
n Interoperability & data exchange will have
a huge impact
Software Interoperability
Software Interoperability

n The means to allow the easy exchange of

data between programs
• Use available data in CAD programs
• Easily integrate vendor data
• no more redundant data entry!
n Interoperability may be the key to wide
spread adoption of
• Building simulation models (WBEA)
• Cost estimating tools
Standards for Data Exchange
n EXtensible Markup Language (XML)
• cousin of HTML
• architecture, engineering & construction
industry has aecXML (Bentley Systems)
• green building XML (gbXML) is first
representation for building simulation models
(GeoPraxis/CEC)
n Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)
approach
• Used by EnergyPlus
• A more complete data model
n Update since 2001: gbXML may be
winning
HVAC Sample of gbXML

- <Ai r L o o p i d =" a l 2 ">

<Name>HVAC Sys t e m 2 </ Na me >
- <Ai r L o o p E q u i p m e n t i d = "al e 2 " e q u i p me n t T y p e ="Uni t a r y " >
<Name>P a c k a g e 2</ Na me >
<Ra t e d F l o w>1 2 0 0< / R a t e d F l o w >
<E n e r g y S o u r c e e n e r g y S o u r c e T y p e = " Natural Ga s " e n e r g y S o u r c e U s e = " He a t i n g " / >
<E n e r g y S o u r c e e n e r g y S o u r c e T y p e = " El e c t r i c i t y " e n e r g y S o u r c e U s e = " Cool i ng " />
< C a p a c i t y c a p a c i t y T y p e = " Cool i ngTot a l " >36000 < / C a p a c i t y >
</ Ai r LoopEqui p me n t >
</ Ai r Loop>
- <Ai r Loop id=" a l 3 " >
<Name>HVAC Sys t e m 3 </ Na me >
- <Ai r L o o p E q u i p m e n t i d = " a l e 3 " e q u i p me n t T y p e = " Uni t a r y " >
<Name>P a c k a g e 3 </ Na me >
<Ra t e d F l o w> 1 2 0 0 < / R a t e d F l o w >
<E n e r g y S o u r c e e n e r g y S o u r c e T y p e = " Natural Ga s " e n e r g y S o u r c e U s e = " He a t i n g " / >
<E n e r g y S o u r c e e n e r g y S o u r c e T y p e = " El e c t r i c i t y " e n e r g y S o u r c e U s e = " Cool i ng " />
< C a p a c i t y c a p a c i t y T y p e = " Cool i ngTot a l " >36000 < / C a p a c i t y >
</ Ai r LoopEqui p me n t >
</ Ai r Loop>
Interoperability Benefits
n Software Interoperability will change
everything
• 3D CAD drawings → project data model
• vendor data can be more easily integrated
• changes will be easier / better QC
• no more redundant data entry
• more integrated tools (architects & engineers
can share data)
Interoperability Example:
GreenBuildingStudio.com
n Conceptual/schematic design tool has the
ability to generate input decks for several
simulation tools
n Compatible with AutoCAD, Graphisoft, etc
What Interoperability Means to CAD
Is that line a wall, pipe, conduit or piece of hair?

n CAD is a data base not an electronic

drawing board
n Both Architects and Engineers will need to
enter drawing information differently:
• As Objects with properties (wall, pipe, HVAC
unit, zones, etc.)
• Instead of Lines, arcs and text
n Extra work upfront can help with down
stream process
• Take-offs, cost estimating, code compliance,
simulations and other downstream activities
become much easier
• Design-build teams may adopt this first
What’s in The Future
LEED will Drive WBEA Use
n LEED requirement for energy simulations
will expose more of architecture/
engineering community to Whole Building
Energy Analysis (WBEA)
n Future versions of LEED NC will more fully
use potential of WBEA tools
• ASHRAE-produced guides will
improve technical rigor
• Points will better reflect
energy & environmental
potential
n Likely to have a lasting
impact for WBEA
Interoperability makes WBEA
Practical
n Software inoperability will reduce the time
and drudgery, making tools more
accessible to practitioners
n May provide the reason for jumping to full
3-D CAD
n WBEA will be just one of the beneficiaries
• Cost estimating and take-offs made easier
• Other downstream benefits (contractors,
commissioning, O&M documentation)
EnergyPlus will Make WBEA
Technically Accurate
n EnergyPlus addresses may technical
shortfalls of other tools
• Even if the “market” is not asking these hard
questions now
n EnergyPlus “business model” makes
sense:
• Calculation engine open source/in public
domain
• Software developers can develop proprietary
interfaces and tools around it
• Multiple technical sources can contribute to
engine improvements
– 3rd parties can focus on their favorite technical issues
EnergyPlus
Development & Interfaces

n Some interfaces are

being developed
• DesignBuilder (UK) à
• E+IEQ (Taitem)
• Others

n CAD Tools & libraries

are also being
developed
What can ASHRAE do?
n Toolkits
• become standardized & accepted calculation
algorithms
n Default data sets
• can help to provide more intelligent &
documented inputs for simulation models
n Develop standards or templates for best
ways to represent HVAC performance data
• such as ASHRAE RP-1197
Thank you!
Questions?