Output Options - Simulation

Simulation tab on Model Options dialog and Output tab on Simulation Options dialog and Outputs model data tab.

Output Data

You can control the data generated from simulations by making selections on the Simulation tab of the Model options dialog, on the Output tab of the Simulation calculation options dialog or on the Outputs model data tab.

Building and block output of zone data

This option causes average and total zone data to be generated for building and blocks. For example average temperatures, comfort conditions, total solar radiation, internal gains, fabric transmission losses etc. It does not affect the generation of energy consumption and CO2 data at the building level.

Note: It is not possible for DesignBuilder to display block level results when any type of zone merging has been enabled regardless of this setting.

Include unoccupied zones in block and building totals and averages

By default, data for unoccupied zones is excluded from block and building totals and averages. Check this option to include data for unoccupied zones.

A zone is defined as unoccupied if it has:

• No occupancy and,
• No cooling and,
• No heating and,
• No mechanical ventilation

The way building and block averages are calculated is described in the Comfort Analysis section.

Note: if you uncheck this option and all zones in the model are unoccupied then you will get a 'Zero floor area error' message

Allow custom outputs

By default this option is checked and it is possible to select specific outputs for building, zones, surfaces and openings on the Outputs model data tab. The disadvantage of specifying specific output selections for each EnergyPlus object is that it can slow the simulations down, especially the initialisation period before the main simulation starts. For large models this can cause extremely long delays and in this case it is advisable to switch this option off.

When this option is switched off the "*" character is used in the Output:Variable IDF data to mean "all objects", instead of specifying outputs for each object one by one. Because of the way that EnergyPlus is structured this results in much more efficient processing.

The following limitations apply when Allow custom outputs is deselected:

• The Simulation output options on the Outputs model data tab can only be selected at building level and building level options apply to all zones.
• Glazing results aren't displayed on the Heat Balance output graph on the Simulation Screen.

Tip: For very large models it is usually best to uncheck this option to reduce simulation times.

Graphable Outputs - Energy

Surface heat transfer  

Select this option to generate heat flow at surface boundaries. Note that selecting this option results in large amounts of data being generated as EnergyPlus must generate output for every surface and window in the zone and you should only select it if you need to look at the zone heat balance.The following EnergyPlus reports are generated:

• Opaque Surface Inside Face Conduction
• Window Heat Gain
• Window Heat Loss
• Window Transmitted Solar

Internal gains including solar                          

Select this option to generate internal gains-related output and any associated energy consumption. The following EnergyPlus reports are generated:

• Zone Lights Total Heat Gain
• Zone Task Lights Total Heat Gain
• Zone People Sensible Heat Gain
• Zone Electric Equipment Cat02 Electric Consumption
• Zone Electric Equipment Cat03 Electric Consumption
• Zone Electric Equipment Cat04 Electric Consumption
• Zone Electric Equipment Cat05 Electric Consumption
• Zone Transmitted Solar
• Zone Infiltration Sensible Heat Loss
• Zone Infiltration Sensible Heat Gain
• Zone Ventilation Sensible Heat Loss
• Zone Ventilation Sensible Heat Gain

Energy, HVAC etc                       

Select this option to generate energy consumption data for the HVAC system.

Latent loads

Select this option to include output of latent gains from occupants and other internals gains.

Graphable Outputs - Comfort and Environmental

Reporting period

You can restrict the simulation comfort and environmental outputs using the options:

• 1-All periods - the default option where data is generated for all periods including times when the zone is unoccupied.
• 2-Just occupied periods - data is only output during times when the zone is occupied so daily and monthly comfort statistics become more meaningful.
• 3-User-defined schedule - data is only output during times when the value of the Reporting schedule selected below has a value greater than zero.

Note that temperature distribution outputs (below) are unaffected by this setting as they have their own specific reporting period and schedule options.

Reporting schedule

Select the schedule to be used to restrict outputs when the Reporting period (above) is set to 3-User-defined schedule.

Environmental

This option generates temperatures and humidity data.  The following EnergyPlus reports are generated:

• Zone Mean Air Temperature
• Zone Mean Radiant Temperature
• Zone Air Relative Humidity
• Outdoor Dry Bulb

Fresh air supply

Select this option to include total infiltration, natural ventilation plus mechanical fresh air supply outputs.

Simple ASHRAE Standard 55

• Time Not Comfortable Summer Clothes
• Time Not Comfortable Winter Clothes
• Time Not Comfortable Summer or Winter Clothes

Adaptive ASHRAE Standard 55

Checking this option causes these outputs to be generated:

• Zone Thermal Comfort ASHRAE 55 Adaptive Model 80% Acceptability Status - Reports whether the operative temperature falls into the 80% acceptability limits of the adaptive comfort in ASHRAE 55-2010. A value of 1 means within (inclusive) the limits, i.e. the zone operative temperature is no more than 2.5°C from than the ASHRAE 55 Adaptive model temperature. A value of 0 means outside the limits (i.e. uncomfortable), and a value of -1 means not applicable, i.e. the running average outdoor air temperature is below 10°C.
• Zone Thermal Comfort ASHRAE 55 Adaptive Model 90% Acceptability Status - Reports whether the operative temperature falls into the 90% acceptability limits of the adaptive comfort in ASHRAE 55-2010. A value of 1 means within (inclusive) the limits, i.e. the zone operative temperature is no more than 3.5°C from than the ASHRAE 55 Adaptive model temperature. A value of 0 means outside the limits (i.e. uncomfortable), and a value of -1 means not applicable, i.e. the running average outdoor air temperature is below 10°C.
• Zone Thermal Comfort ASHRAE 55 Adaptive Model Running Average Outdoor Air Temperature - the running average of the daily average outdoor dry-bulb temperatures of the previous 30 days.

• Zone Thermal Comfort ASHRAE 55 Adaptive Model Temperature - the ideal indoor operative temperature, or comfort temperature, as determined by the ASHRAE-55 adaptive comfort model. The 80% acceptability limits for indoor operative temperature are defined as no greater than 2.5°C from the adaptive comfort temperature. The 90% acceptability limits are defined as no greater than 3.5°C from the adaptive comfort temperature.

Note: ASHRAE 55 Adaptive outputs must be viewed in the Results Viewer - they are not available on DesignBuilder Simulation screen.

Note: Since valid ASHRAE 55 Adaptive outputs are only generated when the running mean outside air temperature is higher than 10°C, they apply mainly to summer overheating comfort analyses and so do not pick up winter underheating.

Adaptive CEN Standard 15251

Checking this option causes the following outputs to be generated:

• Zone Thermal Comfort CEN 15251 Adaptive Model Category I Status - reports whether the operative temperature falls into the Category I (90% acceptability) limits of the adaptive comfort in the European Standard EN15251-2007. A value of 1 means within (inclusive) the limits, a value of 0 means outside the limits, and a value of -1 means not applicable.
• Zone Thermal Comfort CEN 15251 Adaptive Model Category II Status - reports whether the operative temperature falls into the Category II (80% acceptability) limits of the adaptive comfort in the European Standard EN15251-2007. A value of 1 means within (inclusive) the limits, a value of 0 means outside the limits, and a value of -1 means not applicable.
• Zone Thermal Comfort CEN 15251 Adaptive Model Category III Status - reports whether the operative temperature falls into the Category III (65% acceptability) limits of the adaptive comfort in the European Standard EN15251-2007. A value of 1 means within (inclusive) the limits, a value of 0 means outside the limits, and a value of -1 means not applicable.
• Zone Thermal Comfort CEN 15251 Adaptive Model Running Average Outdoor Air Temperature - reports the weighted average of the outdoor air temperature of the previous five days, an input parameter for the CEN-15251 adaptive comfort model.
• Zone Thermal Comfort CEN 15251 Adaptive Model Temperature - reports the ideal indoor operative temperature, or comfort temperature, as determined by the CEN-15251 adaptive comfort model. Category I, II, and II limits for indoor operative temperature are defined as no greater than 2, 3, and 4°C from this value respectively.

Note: CEN Standard 15251 Adaptive outputs must be viewed in the Results Viewer - they are not available on DesignBuilder Simulation screen.

CIBSE TM52

Select this option to generate TM52 outputs.

Building category

Select the building category. See Comfort Analysis for more details.

Note: CIBSE TM52 outputs must be viewed in the Results Viewer - they are currently not available on DesignBuilder Simulation screen.

CIBSE TM59

Select this option to generate TM59 overheating analysis outputs. When this option is checked the following further options can be selected.

Note: CIBSE TM59 outputs must be viewed in the Results Viewer - they are currently not available on DesignBuilder Simulation screen.

Mechanical ventilation

Selecting this output will add results according to TM59 chapter 4.3, as described in the TM59 section.

Vulnerable occupants

Selecting this output will change the building category for predominantly naturally ventilated buildings according to TM59 chapter 4.2 as described in the TM59 section.

Corridors

Selecting this output will produce results according to TM59 chapter 4.5 as described in the TM59 section.

Apply TM59 natural ventilation rules

Selecting this option overrides default EnergyPlus natural ventilation behaviour in favour of the implied TM59 rule to open windows when the inside temperature is greater than 22°C, regardless of outdoor air temperature.

Note: Please be sure to read the detailed discussion on this option in the TM59 temperature control section before selecting it, especially if you plan to the use the model for energy analysis as well as for TM59 overheating analysis.

Fanger

Select this option to generate Fanger PPD and PMV outputs.

Note: PMV outputs should only be viewed on a zone by zone basis at hourly or sub-hourly intervals. When viewing averages over longer intervals the meaning of this output can easily become distorted. For example consider a simple case where there is extreme overheating in the summer (e.g. average PMV = +3) and similarly extreme underheating in the winter (e.g. average PMV = -3). The average over the year might be close to zero, but that does not mean that the building was comfortable throughout the year! For similar reasons the building average PMV should be used with extreme caution.

Pierce 2-Node

Select this option to generate the following Pierce 2-Node outputs:

• Pierce Model Effective Temperature PMV
• Pierce Model Standard Effective Temperature PMV
• Pierce Model Discomfort Index
• Pierce Model Thermal Sensation Index

Kansas State University two-node

Select this option to generate KSU Model Thermal Sensation Vote outputs using the KSU two-node thermal comfort model.

Temperature distribution                 

Select this option to generate Temperature distribution data for each zone.

Reporting period

You can restrict the outputs for simulation temperature distribution only in 2 ways using the options:

 

• 1-All periods - data is included for all periods including times when the zone is unoccupied.
• 2-Just occupied periods - the default option where data is only included for times when the zone is occupied.
• 3-User-defined schedule - data is only included for times when the value of the Reporting schedule selected below has a value greater than zero.

Reporting schedule

Select the schedule to be used to restrict outputs when the Reporting period (above) is set to 3-User-defined schedule.

Detailed Daylight Outputs

Daylight map output

Generates the EnergyPlus daylight map outputs.

Details of this report are shown in the EnergyPlus Output Details document.

Daylight factor, illuminance and glare data

When this option is selected additional daylighting data is generated as described below.

Daylight factor data is written to the .eio file and the daylight illuminance and glare data is written to the eso file for viewing in the Results Viewer.

Daylight factors

Daylight factors are ratios of interior illuminance at a specific location to exterior horizontal illuminance. In EnergyPlus, they are pre-calculated hourly for every shadow calculation day for every exterior window of a daylight zone. The pre-calculated daylight factors are interpolated between hours and for the actual sky conditions in the time-step calculation of the daylighting performance of daylight zones.

EnergyPlus reports the daylight factors for four sky types (clear, turbid clear, intermediate, and overcast) at noon time (12:00pm) for each exterior windows (base window without shading) in the eio file when the daylight factors are first calculated. This reports all hourly pre-calculated daylight factors.

Details of this report are shown in the EnergyPlus Output Details document.

Daylighting Reference Point <x> Illuminance

The total daylight illuminance at the first and second reference points from all of the windows in a daylit zone.

Daylighting Reference Point <x> Glare Index

The daylight glare index at the first and second reference points in a daylit zone.

Miscellaneous Outputs

HVAC System temperatures

Check this option if you would like DesignBuilder to generate temperature output for each air and water node in the HVAC system. This output data cannot be displayed directly in DesignBuilder but can be viewed in the separate Results Viewer application.

HVAC System mass flow rates

Check this option if you would like DesignBuilder to generate mass flow output for each air and water node in the HVAC system. This output data cannot be displayed directly in DesignBuilder but can be viewed in the separate Results Viewer application.

HVAC System humidity ratios

Check this option if you would like DesignBuilder to generate humidity ratio output for each air node in the HVAC system. This output data cannot be displayed directly in DesignBuilder but can be viewed in the separate Results Viewer application.

SQLite output

Output from EnergyPlus can be written to SQLite files for manipulation outside of DesignBuilder using standard spreadsheet tools and/or Results Viewer. When this option is selected all of the predefined database tables as well as time series related data is included in the SQLite output. The description for SQLite outputs is described fully in the EnergyPlus Output Details document.

DXF model output                         

This option causes EnergyPlus to generate a DXF file summarising the building model. The file is called eplusout.dxf and it is stored in the EnergyPlus folder. This option can be useful for checking that the correct geometry has been generated.

Construction and surface details         

This option causes EnergyPlus to generate a comma separated value file summarising the building model. The file is called eplusout.eio and it is stored in the EnergyPlus folder.

RDD/EDD File

Select this option if you would like RDD and EDD files to be generated by the simulation for use in future simulations. The RDD file provides a list of all the EnergyPlus output reports that could be selected for the current model, while the EDD files contains a list of all the available actuators.

Time Setpoints not Met Tolerances

This section of input allows more control over the reporting of “Time setpoint not met” hours.

Tolerance for time heating setpoint not met

This data defines the maximum difference from the heating setpoint when reporting the time heating setpoints are not met. If the zone temperature is below the heating setpoint by more than this value, the following report variables will increment as appropriate:

• Time Heating Setpoint Not Met
• Time Heating Setpoint Not Met While Occupied

It also impacts table report "Annual Building Utility Performance Summary" sub-table "Comfort and Setpoint Not Met Summary".

Tolerance for time cooling setpoint not met

This data defines the maximum difference from the cooling setpoint when reporting the time cooling setpoints are not met. If the zone temperature is above the cooling setpoint by more than this value, the following report variables will increment as appropriate:

• Time Cooling Setpoint Not Met
• Time Cooling Setpoint Not Met While Occupied

It also impacts table report "Annual Building Utility Performance Summary" sub-table "Comfort and Setpoint Not Met Summary".