When we provide
energy analysis
consulting for design teams, our effort involves
communicating with the team, exploring options and
performing ‘energy simulation’ or ‘energy modeling’.
We often use eQUEST® to build and evaluate a model
of the building. eQuest is a sophisticated, freeware
building energy use analysis tool that provides
professional-level results. eQuest is based on
DOE-2, which was mostly funded the by the Department
of Energy and is now supported by California’s
Energy Design Resources and others.
eQUEST was designed to allow
detailed comparative analysis of building designs
and technologies by applying sophisticated building
energy use simulation techniques but without
requiring extensive experience in the "art" of
building performance modeling.
This is accomplished by combining
schematic and design development building creation
wizards, an energy efficiency measure (EEM) wizard
and a graphical results display module with a
complete up-to-date DOE-2 (version 2.2) building
energy use simulation program.
We begin by building a 3D model of the building, specifying the properties of the building envelope: windows, walls, roof, foundation.
We describe the building lighting, heating and cooling systems.
We run the model with various features, offering alternate options for insulation, windows, and equipment. This analysis helps the design team see the impact of their choices on the overall energy use, and guides the team to the most cost-effective strategies for meeting the energy performance goals.
