working w/ energy modeling?

[Anonymous]

Happy New Year,

I don't know if this is the best forum for this question.

Our small office has been working with ArchiCAD for several years, almost always for custom residences in the 2000 sf range.
I've been asked to do some investigation into energy modeling software, and am wondering if anyone has experience and recommendations for this.

John

[Da3dalus]

John,

We typically use eQuest, as it is probably the most universal and accepted software in the US. However, there's quite a learning curve, and you have to do some research on materials to understand the choices. It may be more than you are looking for.
http://doe2.com/equest/index.html

The next runners-up used to be Green Building Studio's web-based tools, and Ecotect. Alas, both have been purchased by Autodesk and made generally incompatible with anything else . However, if you're willing to do some translation through AutoCAD or Revit, Ecotect is simple and has gorgeous results.
http://ecotect.com/
http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/

And, of course, there's what Graphisoft says:
http://www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad/solutions/analysis.html

You may also want to check out classes or seminars in energy modeling; we have a doctoral student at our firm that helps us out. There's a lot of new technology and nomenclature involved.

Good luck!

Chuck

[Anonymous]

Chuck,
Thank you very much for your reply! I'll be checking these out shortly.
I am delayed in my response because I was in Phoenix! What a gorgeous desert!
John

[Da3dalus]

Glad you enjoyed Phoenix! Were you here for the Cardinals, or the Marathon, or just getting out of the snow?

[Anonymous]

My brother lives there and January seemed a great time to visit! I'd never been. The Cardinals game was a total bonus, as I don't track football very closely. But what a game!
Checked out Taliesin West and Arcosanti and the Bruder library and Richard Meier's courthouse and a few other things. Definitely more to see, planning annual trips now.