Technical Information and Energy Related Software
For detailed information on the following subjects and software programs, please visit out Technical Information section.
Model Energy Code
The Model Energy Code (MEC) was originally developed jointly by Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA); International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO); National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards (NCSBCS); and Southern Building Code Conference International, Inc. (SBCCI), under a contract funded by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The MEC is maintained as an activity of the Council of American Building Officials (CABO). Solargy can provide all the services required for completion of compliance documentation for the MEC nationwide.
Unfortunately, the MEC makes it difficult to use trade-offs, particularly those that require computer simulations. Indeed, there is really no "approved" residential simulation program. Nevertheless, some states will allow the use of programs such as Micropas and EnergyPro to do the simulations as long as the appropriate weather "tapes" are used.
Payback Analysis
Given the cost and other parameters of an energy saving alternative, we can provide the client with the savings of various alternatives. This is usually not a sophisticated analysis because here at Solargy we feel that the cost of fuels and electricity is so uncertain that any analysis becomes suspect. However, because many clients demand a two-year payback, the long-term trend of fuel prices diminishes in importance and usually it is obvious to an experienced consultant if an energy saving alternative makes sense.
If you would like more information or would like to schedule a meeting you can call us directly 818-347-6096 during normal business hours.
DOE 2.1
DOE-2.1E is a universally accepted computer program for the simulation of buildings with regard to their use of energy. Nowadays it is rare for any one to use the raw program; vendors have come up with interfaces that alleviate much of the tedium of inputting the building information.
EnergyPro™, supplied by EnergySoft, is perhaps the most mature of all those available, probably because they have the most practical experience in providing sophisticated energy simulations for code compliance.
PowerDoe™, a collaborative between The Lawrence Berkeley Lab and others, allows the user to input the dimensions of the building itself, including windows, etc. One is able to see what the building looks like when all is done (or as one progresses). Although one might suspect that the time required in recreating the building by inputting data would be time consuming, it turns out to be remarkably efficient and fast. Obviously, one does not model a cornice or other details; one does not do that in other interface schemes either. One of the benefits of this approach is that errors in input stand out immediately. Also, self-shading effects are automatically taken into account. The complexity of creating this program, the squabbling over who has delayed its widespread acceptance and distribution.
EQuest™, is a freeware program and a simplified version of PowerDoe.
Power DOE
PowerDoe, a collaborative between The Lawrence Berkeley Lab and others, allows the user to input the dimensions of the building itself, including windows, etc. One is able to see what the building looks like when all is done (or as one progresses). Although one might suspect that the time required in recreating the building by inputting data would be time consuming, it turns out to be remarkably efficient and fast. Obviously, one does not model a cornice or other details; one does not do that in other interface schemes either. One of the benefits of this approach is that errors in input stand out immediately. Also, self-shading effects are automatically taken into account.
Trace 7.0
Trace 7.0, supplied by the Trane Company, has been used for many years to simulate building energy use and economic analyses. Probably the best reason to use Trace in the past was its relative ease of input (relative to the raw DOE programs). Furthermore, the large selection of HVAC system types was also one of its strongest points. Both of these advantages have somewhat faded with the debut of more powerful and robust DOE interfaces.
Solargy-F
Solargy-F was developed in the early to mid-eighties to provide an easy way to size active solar water heating systems using flat plate collectors (water or air). Domestic hot water and space heating may be analyzed with collectors at arbitrary tilt and orientation. I think you will find that the program is "commercial" in quality, sophisticated and fairly bug free, but remember that it is a DOS program written long ago so bells and whistles are at a minimum. Nevertheless, the output has generous amounts of information not normally provided with programs of this type; sunset hour angles, average collector incidence angle, etc. I designed the program and the very young and remarkable Mark Zaremba did the programming. Mark has passed away but his legacy lives on.
Solargy-F is certified by the California Energy Commission for calculating the solar fraction value for a given solar hot water heating system. Credit taken for solar water heating in a Title 24 energy report must be justified by use of a certified program. Interestingly, a Solargy-F analysis is rarely submitted with the Title 24 report and that is the way it should be! The reason for this is that at the time a building permit is issued, the owner or builder may know that they need or choose to have a solar water heating system, but it is a rare circumstance that they know the manufacturer of the collectors, the exact storage tank they will be buying, etc. It is very similar to heating and cooling equipment. The Title 24 report requires that the efficiency (AFUE, SEER, etc.) be stated, but other than that the building inspector must field verify the actual efficiencies. So it is with the solar contribution. Any building department that requires the owner or builder to make the choice of equipment (heating, cooling and or solar) at the time of permit is just not living in the real world. I know of one such otherwise sensible building department.
There is no certified computer program in the State of California for solar space heating, which may come as a surprise to some of you. However, in all likelihood, a reasonable building department would allow Solargy-F to be used for solar space heating energy contribution.
Solargy-F Disclaimer
The program is free of charge but you must understand that there are no guarantees as to the accuracy of any of the output that may be generated by its use. Solargy, Inc., or any person connected with Solargy, Inc. assumes no liability for damages resulting from its use or for any viruses that might enter your computer by virtue of your downloading the program. Furthermore, there is zero support offered by Solargy, Inc.; we do not even want you to report bugs! If you understand and agree to the above, email me ( tom@solargy.com ) and request the program.
To start the program type "SF CLAND696" and hit the enter key. Make sure to include the space between SF & CLAND696. After that entering "SF" will start the program.
You will probably find that most printers can be used with the program as is. Print.exe can be used to modify the codes sent to the printer by the program.
There is a users manual available from Solargy, Inc. for $20.00. Just send a check; no phone calls please. Remember that the same disclaimer above applies to the manual.
Good Luck
Tom Rotchford, P.E. |
