[Bldg-sim] DesignBuilder

[Michael Smith]

Hi Shane,



We use DesignBuilder for our energy models, and find it quite user
friendly. Although I may just be used to it.



In regards to Revit importing, we don’t do it based on the advice of the
support guys, as the general feeling at the moment is that its more effort
to clean up a Revit model than to just build a new simplified one for the
energy model.



The CFD capability is quite new, and in my opinion still very basic. For
anything beyond simple analysis I would look at other, CFD specific
software. The meshing tools and boundary condition options are quite
limited.



And again for optimization, after having a play with it we determined it
didn’t provide us the value for the cost. But that would again depend on
the user.



The HVAC is good, but like many software options doesn’t utilise the ePlus
capability to do VRV. This is a bit of a limitation.



In terms of energy models however we still use it and rate it quite well.
Relatively simple to change things, setup templates for quick model setup
etc.



All in all definitely worth downloading the trial and spending some time on
it to see if you like it.



Cheers,

Mike



[image: Description: Description: Description:
http://www.northrop.com.au/logo_email.gif]

*Michael Smith*
Building Simulation Engineer
*Northrop Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd*
T: 02 6285 1822
M: 0450 140 132

www.northrop.com.au



*Northrop Sustainability, providing Sustainability Advice across the Built
Environment – Buildings, Infrastructure, Precincts and Policy*

*Please note that I will be on leave from Monday 22rd September until
Monday 27th October.*



[image: cid:image002.png at 01CFAFC3.A4615740]





*From:* Bldg-sim [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On Behalf
Of *Shane Wells
*Sent:* Saturday, 25 October 2014 12:42 AM
*To:* bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
*Subject:* [Bldg-sim] DesignBuilder



Does anyone have experience with both Trane Trace and DesignBuilder?



I am researching the advantages my firm will gain from DesignBuilder. The
3D, Revit compatibility, Daylighting, Optimization and CFD are very
appealing and I can see how these would allow us to help client’s in new
ways. DesignBuilder seems to be relatively new as a full-fledged EnergyPlus
interface. I am having trouble finding 3rd party reviews or comparisons of
this software. Really just having trouble finding anything bad about it at
all except for bloggers complaining about it not being as user friendly as
they thought(I can’t imagine it being any worse than Trace). I am also
skeptical about its ability to transfer geometry from Revit - Especially
since generally our Revit models are not full BIM models.



A little background:

I work for a full service A&E firm. We are primarily a “production” firm
and work with a lot of Commercial – Retail building. We are looking to
expand what we do with our energy services. We currently run all of our
HVAC loads, LEED and Code compliance models with Trane Trace. We use Revit
for almost all of our projects.



Thanks everyone!



*Shane Wells *

*Mechanical Intern II*





t 479.273.7780 ext 320

f 888.520.9685



shane.wells at hfa-ae.com

www.hfa-ae.com





1705 S. Walton Blvd  Suite 3  Bentonville, Arkansas  72712



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