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| The software integrates fuel bill analysis, weather data and building modelling information into a single database.  The program includes room-by-room heat loss analysis using an hourly energy consumption model.  User may also calculate existing electrical energy consumption resulting from appliances and lighting and select replacements (Energy Star lighting and appliances are included in the component libraries).
| The software integrates fuel bill analysis, weather data and building modelling information into a single database.  The program includes room-by-room heat loss analysis using an hourly energy consumption model.  User may also calculate existing electrical energy consumption resulting from appliances and lighting and select replacements (Energy Star lighting and appliances are included in the component libraries).
| Lifestyle savings (resulting from recommended changes in occupant behaviour), building energy model, suggested improvements, energy savings from retrofit.  
| Lifestyle savings (resulting from recommended changes in occupant behaviour), building energy model, suggested improvements, energy savings from retrofit.  
|-
| [http://us.mistralassociates.com/ AIRWIND Pro]<ref>
http://us.mistralassociates.com/
</ref>
| $230/year for 1-5 users
| AIRWIND Pro computes building air conditioning cooling and heating loads (in either Imperial or SI units).
| Projects may be drawn directly in the program with any number of walls/rooms arranged at any angle, including any mix of construction materials.  All required data is included and supplied along with the main program (includes a total of over 650 user accessible and editable databases).
| Preformatted printed reports (exportable to any word processing software package), computer generate graphical images, drawings and photographs
|-
| [http://www.agi32.com/ AGI32]<ref>
http://www.agi32.com/
</ref>
| $1295 for a single user license
| AGI32 is a 3D lighting design and rendering software package.  It is used for electric and daylight analysis. 
| Complex architectural environments can be created internally or externally (with import support for DWG and DXF files).  A comprehensive library of lighting products is included.  Basic inputs include project dimensions/design and light fitting data.  Advanced analysis requires surface colour, reflectance, texture and 3D models (optional). 
| Numeric results of illuminance, luminance, and exitance.  More elaborate outputs include full CAD style drawing.
|-
| [http://www.ansys.com/products/airpak/default.asp?name=p1 AIRPAK]<ref>
http://www.ansys.com/products/airpak/default.asp?name=p1
</ref>
| Contact Fluent for licensing information.
| AIRPAK is a powerful airflow modeling tool.  It allows the user to accurately model airflow, heat transfer, contaminant transport and thermal comfort in a given ventilation system.  It is best suited for use in ventilation system redesign situations. 
| Models can be constructed using AIRPAK’s building tools or with imported CAD drawings.  Inputs include ventilation system design (types, flowrates, temperatures, locations of air inlet diffusers and exhausts), thermal boundary conditions (from heating loads such as occupants, lighting, equipment, solar loads), humidity and contaminant boundary conditions.
| Colour animations, pictures, and plots of ventilation airflows depicting airflow patterns, air turbulence, room air distribution, temperature distribution, thermal comfort conditions and contaminant distribution.
|-
|-


Revision as of 20:50, 26 May 2010

This page was developed by the Queen's University Applied Sustainability Research Group.

Abstract

This page is intended to be used as a resource for selecting building energy modeling software solutions. Most software packages perform very specific tasks, suggesting that a number of different packages be used to obtain accurate results for a desired project. Not all software packages are free of charge, but often demos may be obtained. Please refer to each package's corresponding link for more information.

Software Comparison

The following chart compares a number of available software packages. Open source packages are noted under the cost column.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.buildingphysics.com/
  2. ↑ http://www.pipeinsulation.org/
  3. ↑ http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/software.cfm/ID=140/pagename=alpha_list
  4. ↑ http://www.psdconsulting.com/software/treat
  5. ↑ http://us.mistralassociates.com/
  6. ↑ http://www.agi32.com/
  7. ↑ http://www.ansys.com/products/airpak/default.asp?name=p1
Building Energy Modeling Software
Name Cost/Open Source Basic Description Abilities Outputs
1D-HAM[1] $420, cheaper school licences are available 1D-HAM is a piece of software which solves one dimensional coupled heat, air and moisture transport problems in a multi-layered porous wall. The program is based on the finite difference technique and moisture is assumed to be transferred by diffusion and convection in the vapour phase. Furthermore, it is assumed that no liquid water transport occurs and that heat is transferred via conduction, convection and latent heat. Climatic data can be inputted through a data file (maximum resolution of values/hour/year). Surface solar radiation absorption is also accounted for. The program can output user defined charts and text output of temperatures, relative humidities and moisture content. The data can be presented in either SI units or in BTU.
3E Plus[2] Free of charge 3E Plus is an energy management tool designed to simplify the task of determining how much insulation is necessary to use less energy, reduce plant emissions and improve process efficiency. The software analyzes input data including base metal type, various process and operating temperatures, wind speed, pipe size, surface geometry, fuel type, annual operation hours and the type of insulation. The provided report tells the user how much insulation is necessary in the form of a preformatted report. This report can be exported to a spreadsheet. The output provides valuable information for insulation requirements of pipes, ducts, tanks and boilers.
AAMASKY[3] $50 from the American Architectural Manufactures Association AAMASKY is a software package which analyzes component and total heating, cooling and lighting energy consumption in relation to skylights. It can also provide hourly and monthly pattern of illumination levels for daylighting. By inputting parameters including commercial building design and lighting requirements (including area, skylight area and properties, occupancy schedule, geographical location), the software is able to inform the user of optimal skylight designs. The program provides guidance for optimal skylight selection, annual heating, annual cooling, lighting energy requirements and monthly/hourly plots of daylight levels.
TREAT[4] $495, with discounts available for government agencies and non-profit organizations TREAT allows users to calculate energy savings for individual improvements or assemble improvements interactively. The software includes a building component library and automatically calculates payback and SIR. The software integrates fuel bill analysis, weather data and building modelling information into a single database. The program includes room-by-room heat loss analysis using an hourly energy consumption model. User may also calculate existing electrical energy consumption resulting from appliances and lighting and select replacements (Energy Star lighting and appliances are included in the component libraries). Lifestyle savings (resulting from recommended changes in occupant behaviour), building energy model, suggested improvements, energy savings from retrofit.
AIRWIND Pro[5] $230/year for 1-5 users AIRWIND Pro computes building air conditioning cooling and heating loads (in either Imperial or SI units). Projects may be drawn directly in the program with any number of walls/rooms arranged at any angle, including any mix of construction materials. All required data is included and supplied along with the main program (includes a total of over 650 user accessible and editable databases). Preformatted printed reports (exportable to any word processing software package), computer generate graphical images, drawings and photographs
AGI32[6] $1295 for a single user license AGI32 is a 3D lighting design and rendering software package. It is used for electric and daylight analysis. Complex architectural environments can be created internally or externally (with import support for DWG and DXF files). A comprehensive library of lighting products is included. Basic inputs include project dimensions/design and light fitting data. Advanced analysis requires surface colour, reflectance, texture and 3D models (optional). Numeric results of illuminance, luminance, and exitance. More elaborate outputs include full CAD style drawing.
AIRPAK[7] Contact Fluent for licensing information. AIRPAK is a powerful airflow modeling tool. It allows the user to accurately model airflow, heat transfer, contaminant transport and thermal comfort in a given ventilation system. It is best suited for use in ventilation system redesign situations. Models can be constructed using AIRPAK’s building tools or with imported CAD drawings. Inputs include ventilation system design (types, flowrates, temperatures, locations of air inlet diffusers and exhausts), thermal boundary conditions (from heating loads such as occupants, lighting, equipment, solar loads), humidity and contaminant boundary conditions. Colour animations, pictures, and plots of ventilation airflows depicting airflow patterns, air turbulence, room air distribution, temperature distribution, thermal comfort conditions and contaminant distribution.
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