Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 26

PROJECT

hvac

Software Tool Reveals Options Early On
Comparing real-world, as-applied system efficiencies and lifecycle costs is easier.

The Building Efficiency System Tool (BEST) is a commercial-building, total HVAC system comparison tool that addresses the challenge of accurately comparing different styles of HVAC systems.

F

or many years, HVAC industry professionals

cal engineers, and design/build contractors to accu-

broadly applicable to most commercial buildings,

have lamented the inadequacy of efficiency

rately compare real-world performance in a specific

anywhere on the North American continent. All

ratings to evaluate different system types eq-

building. Ideally, this could be done in the early de-

BEST outputs are represented in operating dollar fig-

uitably. Suffice it to say, the cornucopia of efficiency

sign phase, even before ground is broken. The idea

ures, making comparison easy.

rating systems (including EER, IEER, SEER, AFUE,

emerged about five years ago, and the software has

COP, and others) makes the task of comparing

now come to fruition.

real-world, as-applied system efficiencies and lifecycle

BEST compares as many as four system types in a
matter of minutes, instead of hours or days. The soft-

Available at no charge, the Building Efficiency Sys-

ware was not created to replace programs like Energy-

tem Tool (BEST, besthvac.org) is a commercial-build-

Plus (energyplus.net) required by some rating agen-

Alli-

ing, total HVAC system comparison tool that address-

cies, but BEST efficiently narrows the choices often

ance-Commercial (HIA-C), a committee of the Radi-

es the challenge of accurately comparing different

run in EnergyPlus, significantly reducing design time.

ant Professionals Alliance, Mokena, IL (radiantprofes-

styles of HVAC systems.

EnergyPlus is a free, open-source, and cross-platform

costs a lengthy, arduous task. That is, until recently.
Members

of

the

Hydronics

Industry

sionalsalliance.org), recognized the importance of

With the very simplest of inputs, BEST compares

that runs on the Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux op-

creating a common denominator among all HVAC

the energy performance, first cost, life-cycle cost, and

erating systems. Its development is funded by the U.S.

system types. This allows building owners, mechani-

more for all major types of HVAC systems and is

Department of Energy's (DOE), Washington, Build-

26

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

JULY 2018

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com


http://www.besthvac.org http://www.energyplus.net http://www.radiantprofessionalsalliance.org http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture July 2018

The Architects
Airports Compete For Traveler Satisfaction
New York Office Turns On Contemporary Vibe
Seven Mechanical Rooms Serve School
Software Tool Reveals Options Early On
HVAC & Plumbing Products
Design Dynamic Outdoor Work Environments
Rainscreen Produces An Artful Facade
Exteriors Products
Daylight Greets Travelers To Sunshine State
Glass Solutions Meet Stadium Standards
Windows & Doors Products
A Towering Achievement
Lighting & Electrical Products
Resilient Flooring Wins Design Challenge
Tradition And Modernity Meet At Hotspot Restaurant
Interiors Products
Building Technology Products
Showcase
Index
Portfolio
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Cover1
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Cover2
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 1
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 2
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 3
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 4
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 5
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - The Architects
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 7
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Airports Compete For Traveler Satisfaction
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 9
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 10
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 11
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 12
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 13
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 14
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 15
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - New York Office Turns On Contemporary Vibe
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 17
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 18
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 19
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 20
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 21
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Seven Mechanical Rooms Serve School
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 23
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 24
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 25
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Software Tool Reveals Options Early On
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 27
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 28
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 29
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - HVAC & Plumbing Products
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 31
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Design Dynamic Outdoor Work Environments
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 35
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 36
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 37
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Rainscreen Produces An Artful Facade
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 39
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Exteriors Products
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Daylight Greets Travelers To Sunshine State
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 42
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Glass Solutions Meet Stadium Standards
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 44
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Windows & Doors Products
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - A Towering Achievement
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 47
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Lighting & Electrical Products
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 49
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 50
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Resilient Flooring Wins Design Challenge
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Tradition And Modernity Meet At Hotspot Restaurant
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - 53
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Interiors Products
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Building Technology Products
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Showcase
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Index
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Portfolio
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Cover3
Commercial Architecture July 2018 - Cover4
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