[Bldg-sim] Choosing a Front End for EnergyPlus

[Justin Spencer]

We're in the process of jumping into using EnergyPlus with both feet and
choosing a front end to commit to using and getting trained in. Back when I
used EnergyPlus more regularly (version 1.0.0), the front ends were mostly
non-existent or just getting off the ground and I'm sure there have been a
lot of changes and improvements.

I'm curious to hear about others' recent experience trying to use front
ends to build and calibrate EnergyPlus models. What were the pros and cons
you experienced with a given front end? We're thinking the main choice is
between DesignBuilder and OpenStudio, but we're open to other tools.

In the past, the primary limitation was in the configuration of HVAC
systems. This screamed out for some sort of graphical interface (a la
eQuest). I'm particularly interested in this aspect of the front end and a
few others:

Other primary issues of interest:

   - Ease of creating new models (i.e. when you don't have a building model
   to import)
   - Ease of parametric analysis
   - Ease of extracting hourly output
   - Ease of bringing in an existing idf model
   - Likelihood of a given tool being popular 5 years from no

Thanks a bunch for your insights.
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