[Bldg-sim] Energy Model Cost

Marcus Sheffer sheffer at energyopportunities.com
Thu May 12 14:31:51 PDT 2011


In our experience a final model, done right, would take about 80 hours.

 

WARNING – frustrated modeling rant to follow:

 

Doing just a final model however completely misses the point as to why we
model – it is to guide design decisions!  

 

If I saw this RFP and all it asked me for was a model to determine LEED
points, during or after design, I would try to educate the potential client
about the purpose of modeling.

 

Unfortunately too many projects pursuing LEED are only doing the minimum
when it comes to modeling and almost completely missing all the benefits.
Too often the “market” transforms only based on a least first cost
denominator basis that results in little real transformation.  Doing models
to determine LEED points does not transform the market, save any energy, and
just circumvents the purpose behind LEED. (the next version actually
requires design phase modeling!)

 

Any “modeler” who does only final models without attempting to explain to
the owner why this is a bad idea should be “drummed out of the corp” in my
humble opinion.

 

The problem is that if you respond to this RFP with 120 or 160 or more hours
to really do the design phase modeling right, you will go up against the
“modeler” who claims to be able to do it in far less time.  So how do we get
the folks who issue the RFPs to ask for a proper scope of work so that they
can compare fees on a level playing field?  It is unfortunate that we are
even having a discussion about doing modeling work in opposition to its
purpose.

 

Sorry for the rant but I feel better now. J 

 

Marcus Sheffer

Energy Opportunities, Inc/a 7group Company

1200 E Camping Area Road, Wellsville, PA  17365

717-292-2636,  <mailto:sheffer at sevengroup.com> sheffer at sevengroup.com

www.sevengroup.com

 

From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Demba Ndiaye
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 4:28 PM
To: Omar Delgado; bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Energy Model Cost

 

Omar,

 

I would expect, for a building this size, approximately 40 hours (multiply
by your hourly rate). The 40 hours include EAp2/EAc1 LEED documentation, and
any review you may have to respond to later.

 

Now, given that you have never done a LEED model, it will take you more
time, possibly up to 40 more hours.

 

HTH,

 

_______________

Demba NDIAYE

 

From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Omar Delgado
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 7:08 PM
To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: [Bldg-sim] Energy Model Cost

 

Greetings everyone,

 

I have a question regarding the cost of an energy model for a LEED project.
Every energy model I've done so far has been for 

existing buildings, mainly for optimization purposes. However, I received an
RFP to model a five-story, 41,500 sq. ft. building

that's currently on the design phase and is pursuing the LEED-NC Silver
certification. I really have no idea what would be a fair 

price for this model since I'm going to have to use Appendix G (ASHRAE 90.1)
to evaluate the difference between the base 

and proposed buildings. I don't know how much extra effort this will take. I
know the procedure, just haven't done it before.

 

Can you shed any light on this issue?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Omar A. Delgado Colón, P.E., MEnvM., LEED AP BD&C

Vice President

EnerMech

PMB 340

130 Winston Churchill Ave.

San Juan, PR 00926-6018

Cel. (787) 224-6537

odelgado at enermechpr.com

info at enermechpr.com

 <http://www.enermechpr.com/> www.enermechpr.com

 

 

 

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