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[EnergyPlus_Support] EPlus learning curve



Hello,
I know there was a question a short while ago from someone (an
architect, I believe) who wanted to learn to use EPlus, but this one is
coming from someone who already uses commercial software to size
equipment and perform energy simulations.  I work for a mechanical
contracting firm, and we do a lot of our engineering in-house using
Carrier's Hourly Analysis Program (HAP) software.  During a training
session for EE4 (uses DOE2), the instructor said that he had
investigated many sizing and simulation packages, and that HAP was "one
of the better ones".  That being said, I think I have a fairly good
knowledge of the ins and outs of the software and how to "tweak" it to
model buildings that don't match one of the available options.
 
Having been made aware of EPlus a short while ago, I have been reading
the list items, and it seems like EPlus is a lot more flexible and can
simulate a greater variety of systems as well as be able to graphically
visualise the spaces and results.  My question would be:  EPlus seems to
no longer be in the testing phase, and is solid/robust/reliable enough
for commercial use.  However, the proposed interfaces are still in Beta
mode, and from my understanding, space data has to either be entered
manually or through one of the data converters (I'll admit I havn't read
ALL the documentation yet or tried all the associated applications).  If
this is the case, what would be the learning curve required for someone
who already has experience modelling buildings to make the switch?
Also, are the beta graphical interfaces reliable enough to rely on
exclusively, or is converting data from existing drawings the best way
to go?  Has anyone used HAP and can compare it to EPlus?
 
Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks,
 
Daniel Bourque
 


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