TRACE 700 – TRACE 700 has been developed by Trane to assess the energy and financial impacts of building design and operational structure on HVAC system design. TRACE has a easy to use interface for all complex models and system design. Key features are – Models 33 different airside systems, plus many HVAC plant configurations and control strategies, controls, etc.
Training videos –
- Youtube Channel name – Energy-Models.com (TRACE 700 Training)
Hourly Analysis Program (HAP) – HAP is a power tool for design, sizing, and analysis of HVAC system. It is widely used by comfort system design professionals, engineers, HVAC contractors etc. who are involved in planning, design, and implementation stages of a commercial building comfort system. Key features of HAP are as below:
- Applicable to all types and sizes of commercial buildings
- Covers all complex comfort system types and components
- Applicable for all types of controls integration
- Applicable for new design, retrofit, or energy conservation work
Training videos –
- Youtube link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5FF-nJyzbI
Duct Calculator – Duct Calculator is a tool developed based on ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook Calculation Methods for duct calculation and sizing requirements. It analyse air flow, velocity, friction, etc to accurately estimate the duct design. This software is commonly linked with the Autodesk Building Mechanical software. Key features are – easy to use interface, fast and accurate results, and interactive duct calculation.
Training videos –
- Youtube link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r239nh4w1Q
HVAC 1 Toolkit – HVAC 1 toolkit is a tool designed for primary HVAC system energy calculation based on 38 algorithms for estimating the energy efficiency performance of various HVAC components. Two major scope of the toolkit is – large scale simulation modules based on physical principles and stand-alone component performance.
Building Energy Simulation Software
EnergyPlus – EnergyPlus is an advance whole building simulation engine for hourly simulation analysis. EnergyPlus is equipped with simultaneous solution of zone conditions and HVAC system actions, a modular HVAC structure that accommodates a wide range of system configurations, and a runtime scripting language for user-defined control strategies. Key features are – heat balance-based solution of radiant and convective effects, combined heat and mass transfer model, illuminance and glare calculations, component-based HVAC, and functional mock up Interface.
Training videos –
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwnY5t7wnAo
- Youtube Channel name – Building Energy Simulation
- Youtube Channel name – BIMSourceVideos
COMFIE– Comfie is an advance simulation software for hourly simulation analysis suitable to all types of simulation requirements – mechanical, whole building energy use, architectural engineering. The software estimates building energy needs and temperature profiles very accurately. Key features are – thermal comfort and passive solar structure analysis, life cycle assessment, intercode comparision.
eQuest – eQuest is an advance, comprehensive, user friendly software for building energy performance analysis, comfort system design, detail simulation results. The software support the batch integration effectively to analyse different energy conservation measures on the building and report the comparative analysis on each. It includes advance fenestration, heat balance, and day light controls options as well.
Training videos –
- Youtube Channel name – Energy-Models.com (eQUEST Training)
- Youtube link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgQsIa3KX9I (featuring ESD capacity building and training series)
IES VE – IES VE is an advance software for comfort system design, energy modelling, and performance analysis for comprehensive calculation and accurate results. The software supports the multiple iteration to analyse the impact of additional features on a comfort system for new building or retrofit project. Capable of handling all size of building, IES VE has four tiers –
- VE – Ware – It’s a free energy and carbon foot print analysis tool
- VE – toolkits – It’s a user friendly tool kit for concept and schematic design
- VE – Gaia – It’s an tool that included concept design analysis, quality check, detail analysis of energy performance and comfort system design, sizing and energy efficiency, and detailed report generation.
- VE – Pro – It’s a powerful, user friendly, and comprehensive building performance tools applicable for energy analysis, day light integration, solar integration, life cycle etc.
- Training videos –
- Youtube Channel name – Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES)
Other relevant tools and references on overall sustainable design
Training on sustainability design –
- Youtube Channel name – Autodesk Sustainability Workshop (Building design strategies, sustainable product design strategies, building performance analysis)
- Youtube Channel name – iihschannel
Other references for tools
