free software for energy code compliance free software for energy code compliance presented by:...

Free Software for Energy Code Free Software for Energy Code Compliance Compliance

Presented By:Presented By:

Mustafa Abdul Geleel HussienMustafa Abdul Geleel Hussien

By: Evan H. Shu, FAIA By: Evan H. Shu, FAIA

Web Address:Web Address:

http://www.architectureweek.com/articles/articles.htmlhttp://www.architectureweek.com/articles/articles.html

Topic Number: Topic Number: 163 163

Date: Date: 26 Dec., 200426 Dec., 2004

Improving building’s energy performance in Improving building’s energy performance in design phasedesign phasethe worries about the energy problemthe worries about the energy problem

GoalGoal

Lack of standarized codes.Lack of standarized codes.

ObstaclesObstacles

Implementing energyImplementing energy codes in Architecture codes in Architecture

Standardized energy codes in the US

Commercial buildings Residential buildings

ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90-1-1989

Model Energy Code (MEC '92, '93, or '95)

At the end of the schematic design phase

Architects

Free energy code compliance software

Shaping designs

Traditional way

dependent on the HVAC engineers

Operational energy management

Approaching Code Compliance

The most restrictive compliance option is The most restrictive compliance option is the prescriptive approach, the prescriptive approach,

mandates that individual components of the mandates that individual components of the

building envelope or mechanical system building envelope or mechanical system

meet a set rating value (e.g. percent of glass allowed, U meet a set rating value (e.g. percent of glass allowed, U value, R value)value, R value)

given the building site's climate zonegiven the building site's climate zone. .

1) the prescriptive approach,

is a web-based application that allows you to generate your own code-compliant insulation and window packages rather than following

pre-defined prescriptive packages.

2) the component performance approach in which tradeoffs are allowed between envelope components and HVAC equipment,

The COMcheck-Plus software implements the more complicated whole-building performance approach for codes based on ASHRAE

90.1-1989. See the COMcheck-Plus FAQs for more details.

3) MECcheck software,

4) the systems approach, or A performance approach (also known as a systems performance

approach) allows you to compare your proposed design to a baseline or reference design and demonstrate that the proposed design is at least as efficient as the baseline in terms of annual

energy use.

5) the renewable energy resources approach.

Standardized energy codes in the US

Residential buildingsof three stories or less

Model Energy Code (MEC '92, '93, or '95)

REScheck

Implementing energyImplementing energy codes in Architecture codes in Architecture

compliance methods:

1) the prescriptive approach,

3) MECcheck software,

2) the component performance approach in which tradeoffs are allowed between envelope components and HVAC equipment,

4) the systems approach, or 5) the renewable energy resources approach.

Implementing energy codes in ArchitectureImplementing energy codes in Architecturethrough computer softwarethrough computer software

Commercial buildings

ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90-1-1989

high-rise residential and commercial buildings

COMcheck

COMcheck-Plus COMcheck-EZ

compliance methods:

1) the prescriptive approach,2) system performance, which allows limited

tradeoffs within code sections, and

COMcheck-EZ

COMcheck-Plus

3) whole-building performance, which allows tradeoffs more freely based on "bottom line" building performance.

Commercial buildings

COMcheck

COMcheck-Plus COMcheck-EZ

MECcheck PackagesMECcheck Packages

Residential buildings

REScheck

degree-days data for a specific locationdegree-days data for a specific location

How MECcheck WorksHow MECcheck Works

The surface area of each exposed The surface area of each exposed component of the entire building envelope component of the entire building envelope is multiplied by its "U" (1/R or coefficient of is multiplied by its "U" (1/R or coefficient of thermal transmittance) value to get its "UA" thermal transmittance) value to get its "UA" value. Add up all the UA values to get a value. Add up all the UA values to get a total building UA value. total building UA value.

Surface AreaSurface Area* * "U""U" (1/R or coefficient of thermal transmittance)(1/R or coefficient of thermal transmittance) = = "UA" "UA" valuevalue

The software compares thatThe software compares that total UAtotal UA with one you would get if you multiplied each with one you would get if you multiplied each

component area by the component area by the prescriptive U valueprescriptive U value (e.g. the ceiling requires R-38) found in the code. If your (e.g. the ceiling requires R-38) found in the code. If your

total UA is less than or equal to the UA calculated by the total UA is less than or equal to the UA calculated by the prescriptive method, your building passes. prescriptive method, your building passes.


This method allows tradeoffs This method allows tradeoffs between components between components

understand typical R understand typical R ((thermal resistancethermal resistance) ) values for values for insulation and typical U values for glazinginsulation and typical U values for glazing. . pick the construction type pick the construction type R valueR value of the insulation where of the insulation where the value for the construction materials is already the value for the construction materials is already factored infactored in. .

the prescriptive package for your building type and the prescriptive package for your building type and climate zone helps to see what you are trying to match. climate zone helps to see what you are trying to match. a house in the 5600 degree-day Boston climate, under a house in the 5600 degree-day Boston climate, under the Massachusetts Building Code, could have up to 15 the Massachusetts Building Code, could have up to 15 percent glass, with U-0.41 glazing, R-38 ceilings, R-13 percent glass, with U-0.41 glazing, R-38 ceilings, R-13 walls, R-19 floors, and R-10 basement walls. walls, R-19 floors, and R-10 basement walls.


Testing a Design Testing a Design

Define schematic plans. Define schematic plans. Using CAD, get the perimeter surface areas for Using CAD, get the perimeter surface areas for your exterior walls, glazing, ceiling/roof, and your exterior walls, glazing, ceiling/roof, and basement. basement. By clicking on the component (walls, glazing, By clicking on the component (walls, glazing, etc.) buttons, a new spreadsheet item is added etc.) buttons, a new spreadsheet item is added to your building list. If you pick walls, you are to your building list. If you pick walls, you are then given a pull-down list of common then given a pull-down list of common construction types, and you simply pick the construction types, and you simply pick the closest fit, such as 2x4 wood stud walls. closest fit, such as 2x4 wood stud walls.


exposed surface area = exposed surface area = RR value of the value of the insulationinsulation, ,

or the or the U U value for value for glazingglazing..

By swapping different By swapping different R valuesR values, you can improve , you can improve performance by changing to 2x6 stud walls with performance by changing to 2x6 stud walls with R-21 insulation. R-21 insulation.


When construction documents are done, When construction documents are done,

final values in the software should be final values in the software should be updated and a report of the project should updated and a report of the project should be printed.be printed.

This serves as both as a compliance This serves as both as a compliance document and a checklist for the building document and a checklist for the building inspector to use during constructioninspector to use during construction. .


Optional Details Optional Details

specify lighting and mechanical systems in specify lighting and mechanical systems in addition to the building envelopeaddition to the building envelope..


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