Energy Plus HVAC templates

ceck · Posts: 48 Location: Padova

Dear Andy,

could be possible to specify in the help or in the description of each HVAC template wich Energy Plus HVAC system template is used when working with COMPACT HVAC systems? (I'm looking at the Auxiliary Program Doc of E+).

Thank you
Luca

Andy Tindale · Posts: 1205 Location: Stroud

You can tell which EnergyPlus compact HVAC system is used to model the DesignBuilder HVAC system by looking at the 'Type' data on the HVAC tab under the template definition for each zone.

1-Unitary single zone = 'unitary', each zone has its own Unitary system.

2-Unitary multizone = 'unitary' a single Unitary system is used for the whole building.

3-VAV = VAV compact HVAC system is used.

I hope this answers it.

Regards

Andy

ceck · Posts: 48 Location: Padova

Dear Andy,

if I look to E+ documentation there are some examples of HVAC sysyems made with E+ HVAC templates (see below)

E+ HVAC systems made with HVAC templates
Purchased Air System
- ZoneThermostat[ ] (once for each zone)
- PurchAirZone-Autosize[ ] (once for each zone)

Packaged Furnace with DX Cooling System
- ZoneThermostat[ ] (once for each zone)
- DirectAirZone-Autosize[ ] (once for each zone)
- UnitaryAirLoop-Autosize[ ]

Four-Pipe Fan Coil System
- ZoneThermostat[ ] (once for each zone)
- 4PipeFanCoilZone-Autosize[ ] (once for each zone)
- FanCoilLoops-Autosize[ ]

Single-Duct VAV System with Outside Air Option
- ZoneThermostat[ ] (once for each zone)
- VAVZone-Autosize[ ] (once for each zone)
- VAVAirLoop-Autosize[ ChilledWaterDemand-Autosize[ ]
- HotWaterDemand-Autosize[ ]

Purchased Hot Water/Chilled Water Supply Plant
- PurchasedSupplyWithBypass-Autosize[ ]

Single Chiller Supply Plant
- ChillerSupply1-Autosize [ ]
- Condenser1-Autosize[ ]

Single Boiler Supply Plant
- BoilerSupply1-Autosize [ ]]

When I use DB COMPACT systems, are they built in the same way? If yes, could you specify in the help on in the system description which E+ template that particular system uses?

i.e.

Split no fresh air uses: (I don't know)

1) Four-Pipe Fan Coil System
- ZoneThermostat[ ] (once for each zone)
- 4PipeFanCoilZone-Autosize[ ] (once for each zone)
- FanCoilLoops-Autosize[ ]
2) Single Chiller Supply Plant
- ChillerSupply1-Autosize [ ]
- Condenser1-Autosize[ ]

....thanks!
Luca

Andy Tindale · Posts: 1205 Location: Stroud

The short answer is that DesignBuilder does not use EnergyPlus HVAC templates, it only uses compact HVAC and purchased air.

Andy

ceck · Posts: 48 Location: Padova

Andy Tindale · Posts: 1205 Location: Stroud

Luca,

DesignBuilder Simple HVAC uses the EnergyPlus Purchased air HVAC system, which is about as simple as EnergyPlus HVAC calculations get.

DesignBuilder Compact HVAC uses the EnergyPlus Compact HVAC descriptions which allow detailed simulations of HVAC systems using simplified input descriptions, a bit like EnergyPlus HVAC templates. As I understand it, Compact HVAC is intended as a replacement for the HVAC templates - it should be much more flexible especially when there are more options available in the future.

So, no, we won't be including EnergyPlus HVAC templates in DesignBuilder version 2, but later in 2006 we will start work on providing a user interface for general EnergyPlus HVAC systems. This will probably be released for version 3 late in 2007. We'll be aiming to allow systems to initially be set up using simple default data similar to Compact HVAC, then expanded diagrammatically using the new HVAC editor.

Regards

Andy

ceck · Posts: 48 Location: Padova

Wonderful!

Regards
Luca

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