[Equest-users] Single Family Residential House

Bruce Easterbrook bruce5 at bellnet.ca
Thu Aug 16 08:47:23 PDT 2012


You might be better to use programs approved by the Ontario Building 
Code (OBC).  90.1 is a standard for all buildings not low-rise 
residential.  You should be using 90.2 Energy Efficient Design of 
Low-Rise Residential Buildings.  LEED in Canada is a different 
organization than LEED in the US, you should consult the Canadian group 
for requirements.
The OBC changed significantly in January 2012 in regard to envelope 
construction, allowed mechanical equipment, and energy efficiency 
standards.  Commercially you will be required to follow SB-10 of the OBC 
which references ASHRAE 90.1 as a reference standard but there are 
modifications in the OBC. Residentially you are required to follow 
SB-12.  The main energy efficiency analysis program referenced is 
HOT2000.  It can be downloaded at 
http://canmetenergy.nrcan.gc.ca/software-tools/hot2000/84 eQuest is not 
listed as being an approved program.  SB-12 does not reference 90.2 but 
there is a little qualifier "good engineering practice" in the OBC.  It 
can be used as a guide. The main reference standards are Energy Star for 
New Homes: Technical Specifications- Ontario and EnerGuide for New 
Houses: Administrative and Technical Procedures.  There are also 
prescriptive requirements which can be followed in SB-12.  If you 
deviate you will have to follow the performance path.
You don't give any information on your qualifications.  Just so you know 
to submit designs for a building permit in Ontario you will have to be 
at minimum an approved designer with a BCIN number for the Ministry of 
Housing.  Otherwise you will have to be a P.Eng. or an Architect 
registered and approved to practice in Ontario.  Also be aware that 
HOT2000 is not up to date on fenestration.  NRC has told me a new 
version is in the works to update this area of the software.  Until then 
the ER performance rating of HOT2000 is low by about 2 points.  Also be 
aware that this housing standard is new and there are very few people on 
both sides of the fence who know what is actually going on.  You will 
need a January 2012 version of the OBC 2006.  There have been in excess 
of 1200 pages of addendums leading up to 2012. It is cheaper and easier 
just to order a new code.  You need the compendium version.
Until you get over this hurtle I wouldn't even consider LEED in 
Ontario.  It probably is a less energy efficient at this point in time 
and won't get you a building permit.  Believe me this is a significant 
hurtle.  The engineering is relatively straight forward, the rest of the 
process is not.  eQuest is a bit of a sledge hammer for housing work.
Bruce Easterbrook P.Eng.
Abode Engineering

On 15/08/2012 06:07 PM, H N wrote:
> Hi all, I'm new to eQUEST.
>
> I'm trying to model the following, are there any guides/tutorials:
>
> 1) How would I model a 1500-3000 Sq. Ft.  single Family, Detached 
> House.  In Canada (Ontario)
>
> 2) In SD Wizard Building Type "Multifamily, low-rise (Exterior 
> entries)"  is the closest option it has... Should I be using this?
>
> 3)What Energy Code Compliance Analysis should I be using for this 
> case? LEED NC - ASHRAE 90.1? (I have no idea what they are for)
>
>
> Sorry for such incompetency, your help is greatly appreciated!!
> *
> *
>
>
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