Re: [EnergyPlus_Support] Re: newbie just starting any advice where to start, (tutorial?)

["Michael J. Witte" <mjwitte@xxxxxxxx>]

Nicely stated, Kristin.

Also, another user has prepared a brief tutorial available at:

http://energyplustutorial.googlepages.com

Mike


On 5 Jun 2007 at 3:20, Kristin Field wrote:

> I was not that long ago an EnergyPlus newbie myself, so I have some
> anecdotal advice from my own experience.  Other people may have better
> suggestions, but here's what I've found (sorry the email ended up
> being long):
> 
> *I like using the IDF Editor because it shows you all the possible
> fields to enter for each object and also organizes them to help
> prevent you from forgetting to enter something.  Also, the conversion
> to English units is nice for us silly Americans (View menu).
> 
> *The example files are extremely helpful.  Several of the scenarios
> you would want to model are already covered in example files.  I use
> these to compare against my own models to see if I connected nodes in
> a similar way, to check my assumptions, etc.  If you're lucky, your
> model will be similar enough (same #zones, etc.) that you could even
> copy and paste the example file and not worry about setting up all the
> nodes yourself.  Of course, don't blindly do this, but it could be
> convenient for setting up the structure consistently.  These files are
> in an "Example Files" folder in your EnergyPlus installation folder.
> 
> *There's no getting around the fact that entering in the geometry is
> time-consuming and an easy way to make a mistake.  You could download
> a free one-month trial version of DesignBuilder software (or buy it)
> that gives a GUI to help with this, but if your geometry is
> straightforward enough, I find it easier to just enter it in myself. 
>   Remember that when you enter the vertices for a surface, always do
> so as if you were looking at it from the OUTSIDE of the zone it's
> enclosing.  This can be especially easy to forget when you're entering
> in a floor - the outside is as if you were lying on the ground
> underneath the building and looking up at the floor.
> 
> *Compact HVAC objects are a wonderful thing if your system type
> matches one of them.  They create all the necessary components and
> connections for you.
> 
> *It may seem intimidating, but do not fear the documentation.  It is
> broken up into smaller parts so that you don't have to read the whole
> thing to understand how one object works.  Anytime I'm creating an EP
> model, I usually have the Input/Output Reference and Engineering
> Reference files open and refer to them often.
> 
> *The datasets (in Data Sets folder) can make creating your input files
> go a little more quickly.  There are commonly used constructions,
> material types, glass types, window types, and design day conditions
> already listed in EP code for you.  Cut and paste what you want into
> your file.  Any cutting and pasting has to be done in text editing
> mode (not IDF Editor), to my knowledge.
> 
> *The ground heat transfer modeling is done using an auxiliary program
> that generates ground temperatures for you.  Once these (monthly)
> temp's are given, the program then assumes your floor surfaces are
> exchanging heat through conduction with another surface of those
> temperatures, as if it were a wall whose other side was a room that
> was at ground temperature (and had no convection or radiation).  It is
> explained in the Auxiliary Programs document.  This is a really
> important component in most models, so don't forget it!!  It takes
> into account perimeter insulation, slab insulation, slab depth,
> weather, building height, indoor temperatures, and several other
> factors, so it's almost always better than entering in something
> you've guessed or have been told to assume.
> 
> Once you have created one model successfully, the next ones go a lot
> quicker.  The first one is by far the hardest.  Good luck!
> 
> Kristin Field
> 
> --- In EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "grossonomato"
> <grossonomato@...> wrote:
> >
> > hi all i just started to try to use the program but i am having a hard
> > time, i want to make load calculus for HVAC instalation on a building.
> > I would apreciate if anyone has anything that can be usefull for me.
> > I already did the calculus by hand but this program isn't very
> > friendly user to learn just by trial an error.
> > 
> > Thanks
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The primary EnergyPlus web site is found at:
> http://www.energyplus.gov
> 
> The group web site is:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnergyPlus_Support/
> 
> Attachments are not allowed -- please post any files to the appropriate folder
> in the Files area of the Support Web Site.
> 
> EnergyPlus Documentation is searchable.  Open EPlusMainMenu.pdf under the
> Documentation link and press the "search" button.
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


========================================================
Michael J. Witte, GARD Analytics, Inc.
EnergyPlus Testing and Support      
EnergyPlus-Support@xxxxxxxx





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