ASHRAE Journal - August 2013 - 98

Column EnErgy ModEling

Jared A. Higgins

Modeling and Design
By Jared a. Higgins, P.e., MeMBer asHrae

Through rapid energy modeling, the design team can
quickly, and effectively, evaluate the cost and benefits of
active and passive building systems. Several available tools
can give you a quick whole building energy model, and
also determine the capability of daylighting, wind energy,
and solar energy. Next, I discuss some publicly available
tools that can be used quickly to assist in the early phases
of a project. This list is not comprehensive with all available tools, but it will help get you started.
For whole building energy simulation, a great tool to use
is eQuest, named so for QUick Energy Simulation Tool.
eQuest has a schematic design wizard to quickly develop a
concept energy model for the building and toggle different building features to help visualize the impact to energy
consumption. For the most part, it is user friendly and features a good graphic user interface; however, it takes some
practice when using it for the first few times. For more
information, visit www.doe2.com/equest.
Looking for a great tool to quickly assess small solar
However, I have been involved in design charettes
energy potential? Check out IMBY developed by the
where energy saving evaluations were performed on site
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The acronym
or remotely and the information was used to make early
stands for In My BackYard. This tool takes to you an interdesign decisions and guide the project toward achievactive map. Just put in your address and drop in one of the
ing energy reduction goals. But these recent experiences
available photovoltaic system arrays. IMBY provides the
made me realize that it’s a good idea to discuss the benefits initial cost of the system in that area, an available local,
of high level energy modeling, explore what can be evalu- state, and federal incentives, and a simple payback. For
ated at the early stages of a project, and recommend some more information, visit http://maps.nrel.gov/imby.
helpful programs for performing quick energy modeling.
Need to assess the lighting and/or daylighting characHigh level energy modeling, and the more commonly
teristics of a room? Try SPOTTM. The Sensor Placement
known rapid energy modeling, allow design professionals to + Optimization Tool has this capability and can produce
make decisions regarding building systems and energy con- some quick analysis reports. It can assist in determining
servation measures early in the design process. Several itera- the optimum placement of a lighting sensor. For more
tions can be made to determine the best path forward based information, visit http://tinyurl.com/khmff7g.
These are just three of the available tools that can help
on the design goal, regardless of whether it is a new construcwith making decisions using rapid energy modeling.
tion design or an existing building retrofit. Given that there
However, the right people must be involved in this process
are a lot of unknown parameters at this point in the design,
to ensure the correct decisions are made. Otherwise, all of
the level of accuracy is not as precise as a detailed model.
the modeling is just wasting people’s time.
However, the results obtained in this process will definitely
point the design professionals in the right direction.
Jared A. Higgins, P.E., leads the mechanical engineering and energy services group for
Particularly when the design involves low energy, high
Parkhill, Smith, & Cooper, Lubbock, Texas. He is an ASHRAE certified Commissioning
Process Management Professional.
performance buildings, every building system matters.

I’ve recently had the opportunity to
participate in design charettes for building designs across the United States and
Europe. It has been interesting to see the
different levels of expectations that each
party has to approaching a low energy
building design. In some cases, the charette
discussion sparked ideas about impacts on
energy. In other cases, design professionals brought sample schematics with energy
measures and ideas already incorporated.
In almost all of the scenarios, little to no
energy modeling was performed during the
charettes (many lasted three to five days) to
actually determine the value of the building systems being discussed.

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ASHRAE Journal - August 2013

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