[Bldg-sim] EE4 Software

[Brian Fountain]

I am a regular EE4 user.  The primary benefit of using EE4 is that when 
you enter your building's parameters, it automatically creates a 
reference building that meets the Canadian Model National Energy Code 
for Buildings (MNECB).  It is a graphical interface which runs the 
DOE-2.1e calculation engine.  It comes bundled with CWEC weather for 43 
Canadian sites.  By default, it deletes the supporting DOE files, but 
clearing a check box will give you the raw DOE input and output files 
for both the reference and proposed  buildings (proposed being the 
entered building, reference being the MNECB building).  Data entry is in 
either of SI or IP units.  One of the best features is the wall U-value 
calculator.  It explicitly demonstrates the impact of either wood or 
steel framing passing through insulation layers.  There is a useful 
modeling guide online. 

On the downside, EE4 has a tree-structured data entry with no CAD 
interface.  (In fact, there is no X-Y coordinates to any of the exterior 
surfaces.)  Thus, building envelope take off data entry is much slower 
than in a tool such as eQUEST or VisualDOE where the CAD drawing can be 
imported and traced.  There are less mechanical systems in EE4 then the 
DOE-2.1e engine and there are some workarounds embedded in the 
software.  (e.g. heat recovery on zonal type systems is achieved by 
reducing the supply fan volume in the proposed building.)  There is no 
provision for running parametric runs within EE4.  If your project is 
not in Canada, you may have to define the building and then run DOE as a 
standalone to use weather data not included in the Canadian data set.

On the whole, I prefer eQUEST and will use it first -- primarily for the 
greater speed in defining the building and doing the envelope take 
offs.  Unless you are creating models and comparing them to the Canadian 
MNECB (which I do fairly frequently), there is no significant advantage 
to EE4. 

Hope this helps.

Brian Fountain
GreenSim

Steve Barnell wrote:
> Hi,
>  
> I am looking for some unbiased information regrading the energy 
> modeling software, available free from Natural Ressources Canada EE4. 
> I know it is a DOE based program but would like to know more from 
> anyone out there using it. Would you recommend it? I imagine this is 
> mostly used by consultants in Canada?
>  
> The price is right, but so is the price of eQuest, any pros or cons 
> anyody is willing to share about EE4 are are greatly appreciated.
>  
> Regards,
>  
> -Steve
>
>
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