[Bldg-sim] Area discrepancy eQuest LEED

[Joe Huang]

The variances in floor areas are not due to software limitations, but to 
differences between how thermal modeling software and architectural 
drawings interpret floor areas.  In thermal modeling, the floor area 
apply to the area and volume of the enclosed space, or more 
specifically, to the air of the enclosed space. In architectural 
drawings, there are various conventions used in stating the gross and 
net floor areas, e.g., are the floor areas taken up by exterior or 
interior walls counted, etc?  If the user wants to input the gross or 
net areas shown on the architectural drawings into a thermal program, 
there's nothing in the software that prevents them from so doing.

Joe

Joe Huang
White Box Technologies, Inc.
346 Rheem Blvd., Suite 108D
Moraga CA 94556
yjhuang at whiteboxtechnologies.com
http://weather.whiteboxtechnologies.com for simulation-ready weather data
http://www.whiteboxtechnologies.com
(o) (925)388-0265
(c) (510)928-2683
"building energy simulations at your fingertips"

On 7/9/2014 9:51 AM, Sheila Sagerer wrote:
>
> Good afternoon Donald,
>
> The reviewers only flag area discrepancies in the energy model if the 
> areas differ by more than 5-10% (gross versus net). All areas within 
> the building shell should be included in the models whether 
> conditioned, semi-conditioned, or unconditioned. If all areas are 
> included in the models and the variance is within 5-10%, I would not 
> worry about it and just include a narrative explaining the difference 
> with your submission.
>
> As for the architect, each modeling software has limitations which can 
> result in variances. Some of the possible issues which can contribute 
> to variances are rounding off of the dimensions for each space, curved 
> walls in the footprint, only modeling interior dimensions versus 
> exterior dimensions, etc. Again, if you are within 5-10% of the total 
> gross area, the impact on the modeling results tends to be negligible.
>
> I hope this helps.  Have a nice day.
>
> Sheila Sagerer
>
> Energy Engineer, EIT, LEED AP
>
> Energy Opportunities, Inc, a 7group company
>
> Phone: 717-880-9069
>
> www.sevengroup.com <http://www.sevengroup.com/>
>
> *From:*Bldg-sim [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On 
> Behalf Of *Donald Hay
> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 09, 2014 12:08 PM
> *To:* bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
> *Subject:* [Bldg-sim] Area discrepancy eQuest LEED
>
> Hello,
>
> I ran an eQuest model of a LEED building but the architect I work with 
> noted that the areas from eQuest do not exactly match the actual areas 
> of the rooms. Is this an issue that will be flagged by USGB? If so how 
> can I change the areas in my eQuest model without losing all the data 
> points I've imputed.
>
> Thank you.
>
> *Donald Hay, E.I.T. *
> Stridde, Callins & Associates
> (361) 883-9199 <tel:%28361%29%20883-9199>
>
>
>
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