Re: [EnergyPlus_Support] graphical user interface for EnergyPlus

I tried the Hevacomp and it was very bad. I went into closed loops many times.

I worked with echotect and main problem was overlapping surfaces.

I am using design builder now and I really like it for geometry. The thing that I don't like about models exported from design builder is the naming method, every thing get a numerical name that is very hard to report or reference later.

Any one have Ideas to solve that.

Alaa Kandil
Calgary, Canada

From: John <jjs173@xxxxxxxxx>
To: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thu, October 21, 2010 11:01:37 AM
Subject: Re: [EnergyPlus_Support] graphical user interface for EnergyPlus

Supposedly Bentley has redesigned the Hevacomp package into a more comprehensive interface for Eplus. Will be viewing a Beta test Windows Live meeting tomorrow to see the changes that have been made. From discussions with local sales team, it sounds very promising.
John

From: "James V Dirkes II, PE" <jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thu, October 21, 2010 11:45:07 AM
Subject: RE: [EnergyPlus_Support] graphical user interface for EnergyPlus

Dear Steven,

Thereâ??s not too much to choose from (yet), but check out Open Studio (a Sketchup plugin youâ??ll find on the Energy Plus web site) and DesignBuilder (http://designbuilder.co.uk). I use DesignBuilder and like it for geometry and materials. I add in schedules and HVAC using a spreadsheet tool that I developed. It holds an HVAC system library and speeds up that part of the modelâ??s input.

Neither Open Studio nor DesignBuilder is much help for non-simple HVAC systems, but geometry and materials become much simpler than trying to do it in E+ IDF Editor. Youâ??ll have to spend some learning curve time on the HVAC side. (DesignBuilder has promised a more comprehensive HVAC interface in early 2011.)

I know Bentley Systems has an E+ interface called (I think) HEVAComp, but I know little about it.

The Building Performance Team
James V. Dirkes II, P.E., LEED AP
1631 Acacia Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616 450 8653

From: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of beaglhead7
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 11:09 AM
To: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [EnergyPlus_Support] graphical user interface for EnergyPlus

I am an engineer working for a company that specializes in energy auditing and modeling buildings to recommend energy conservation opportunities. I am used to using eQuest and am just beginning to look into using EnergyPlus for modeling purposes. Can anyone tell me the best graphical interface to use for EnergyPlus, and what its strengths and limitations are? How much longer does it take to model a typical building in EnergyPlus as opposed to modeling in eQuest?

Thanks,

Steven