EnergyPlus Version 8.

7 Documentation

Getting Started

U.S. Department of Energy

September 30, 2016

COPYRIGHT (c) 1996-2016 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF

ILLINOIS AND THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA THROUGH THE
ERNEST ORLANDO LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS MATERIAL MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED
IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS OR THE ERNEST ORLANDO LAWRENCE BERKELEY
NATIONAL LABORATORY. ENERGYPLUS IS A TRADEMARK OF THE US DEPARTMENT
OF ENERGY.
Contents

1 EnergyPlus Overview 5
1.1 What is EnergyPlus? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.2 Why does EnergyPlus exist and what were its original goals? . . . . . . . . . 7
1.3 EnergyPlus Documentation Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.3.1 User Information Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.3.2 Engineering Reference Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.3.3 Application Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.3.4 Developer Menu and Developer Information Documents . . . . . . . 14

2 Getting Started with EnergyPlus 15

3 Running EnergyPlus 16
3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2 EP-Launch Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2.1 Start EP-Launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.2.2 Selecting Input and Weather Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.2.3 Running a Single Input File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.2.4 Looking at the Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.2.5 Viewing the Drawing File without Running a Simulation . . . . . . . 21
3.2.6 Editing the Input Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.2.7 File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.2.8 Edit Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.2.9 View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.2.10 Help Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.2.11 Recently Used Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.2.12 Utilities Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.2.13 Caveats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.2.14 When things go wrong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.2.15 Bugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.3 EnergyPlus File Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.3.1 Input Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.3.2 Primary Output Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.3.3 Other Output Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

2
CONTENTS 3

4 Tutorial Example for running EnergyPlus 35

4.1 Running EnergyPlus, Building Envelope, Internal Loads, Reports . . . . . . 35
4.1.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.1.2 Details of the exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.2 Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4.2.1 Exercise 1A. Run Pre-Defined Building with no Windows . . . . . . . 37
4.2.2 Exercise 1B. Add Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.2.3 Exercise 1C. Add Internal Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.2.4 Exercise 1D. Annual Simulation and Predefined Reports . . . . . . . 40
4.2.5 Solution: Exercise 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

5 Overall scheme/methodology for running EnergyPlus 44

5.1 Building Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
5.2 A Methodology for Using Energyplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
5.2.1 Step 1: Plan Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
5.2.2 *Step 2: *Zone the Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
5.2.3 Zoning Concept 1 - Simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
5.2.4 Zoning Concept 2 - Detailed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
5.2.5 Step 3: Prepare to Construct the Building Model . . . . . . . . . . . 47
5.2.6 Step 4: Compile Internal Space Gain Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

6 Tutorial Exercise 2 62
6.1 Unitary System and VAV using HVACTemplate Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
6.1.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
6.1.2 Details of the Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
6.2 Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
6.2.1 Exercise 2A. Add Unitary System with DX Cooling and Gas Heating
(Furnace) Serving a Single Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
6.2.2 Exercise 2B. Add VAV System with Reheat Serving Four Zones with
Chiller and Boiler Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
6.2.3 Exercise 2C. Annual Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
6.2.4 Solution: Exercise 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

7 IDF Editor Brief Introduction 74

7.0.1 Start IDF Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
7.0.2 Creating or Selecting an Input Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
7.0.3 Class List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
7.0.4 Changing Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
7.0.5 Working with Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
7.0.6 File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
7.0.7 Edit Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
7.0.8 View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
7.0.9 Help Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
4 CONTENTS

8 Other Useful programs/information 80

8.1 HVACTemplate Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
8.2 Data Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
8.3 Slab and Basement Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
8.4 Coefficient Curve Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
8.5 Useful Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
8.6 WeatherData . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
8.7 Results Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
8.8 HVAC-Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
8.9 CSVProc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
8.10 convertESOMTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
8.11 DataFiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
8.12 Library Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

9 Energy Meters 85
9.1 Standard Energy Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
9.2 Custom Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

10 Standard EnergyPlus Units 89

Chapter 1

EnergyPlus Overview

Welcome to EnergyPlus! This section offers a big picture view of what EnergyPlus is, what
it does, why it exists, and what its goals are AND provides an overview to the EnergyPlus
documentation library. While this document does not provide every detail on the pro-
gram, it does give the reader a macroscopic view of EnergyPlus and how it is intended to fit
into the energy analysis and thermal load simulation software continuum.

1.1 What is EnergyPlus?

EnergyPlus has its roots in both the BLAST and DOE2 programs. BLAST (Building Loads
Analysis and System Thermodynamics) and DOE2 were both developed and released in
the late 1970s and early 1980s as energy and load simulation tools. Their intended audience
is a design engineer or architect that wishes to size appropriate HVAC equipment, develop
retrofit studies for life cycling cost analyses, optimize energy performance, etc. Born out
of concerns driven by the energy crisis of the early 1970s and recognition that building
energy consumption is a major component of the American energy usage statistics, the two
programs attempted to solve the same problem from two slightly different perspectives. Both
programs had their merits and shortcomings, their supporters and detractors, and solid user
bases both nationally and internationally.
Like its parent programs, EnergyPlus is an energy analysis and thermal load simulation
program. Based on a users description of a building from the perspective of the buildings
physical make-up, associated mechanical systems, etc., EnergyPlus will calculate the heating
and cooling loads necessary to maintain thermal control setpoints, conditions throughout
an secondary HVAC system and coil loads, and the energy consumption of primary plant
equipment as well as many other simulation details that are necessary to verify that the
simulation is performing as the actual building would. Many of the simulation characteristics
have been inherited from the legacy programs of BLAST and DOE2. Below is list of some
of the features of the first release of EnergyPlus. While this list is not exhaustive, it is
intended to give the reader and idea of the rigor and applicability of EnergyPlus to various
simulation situations.

Integrated, simultaneous solution where the building response and the primary
and secondary systems are tightly coupled (iteration performed when necessary)

5
6 CHAPTER 1. ENERGYPLUS OVERVIEW

Sub-hourly, user-definable time steps for the interaction between the thermal
zones and the environment; variable time steps for interactions between the thermal
zones and the HVAC systems (automatically varied to ensure solution stability)

ASCII text based weather, input, and output files that include hourly or sub-
hourly environmental conditions, and standard and user definable reports, respectively

Heat balance based solution technique for building thermal loads that allows for
simultaneous calculation of radiant and convective effects at both in the interior and
exterior surface during each time step

Transient heat conduction through building elements such as walls, roofs, floors,
etc. using conduction transfer functions

Improved ground heat transfer modeling through links to three-dimensional finite

difference ground models and simplified analytical techniques

Combined heat and mass transfer model that accounts for moisture adsorp-
tion/desorption either as a layer-by-layer integration into the conduction transfer func-
tions or as an effective moisture penetration depth model (EMPD)

Thermal comfort models based on activity, inside dry bulb, humidity, etc.

Anisotropic sky model for improved calculation of diffuse solar on tilted surfaces

Advanced fenestration calculations including controllable window blinds, elec-

trochromic glazings, layer-by-layer heat balances that allow proper assignment of solar
energy absorbed by window panes, and a performance library for numerous commer-
cially available windows

Daylighting controls including interior illuminance calculations, glare simulation

and control, luminaire controls, and the effect of reduced artificial lighting on heating
and cooling

Loop based configurable HVAC systems (conventional and radiant) that allow
users to model typical systems and slightly modified systems without recompiling the
program source code

Atmospheric pollution calculations that predict CO2 , SOx , NOx , CO, particulate
matter, and hydrocarbon production for both on site and remote energy conversion

Links to other popular simulation environments/components such as WIN-

DOW5, WINDOW6 and DElight to allow more detailed analysis of building compo-
nents

More details on each of these features can be found in the various parts of the EnergyPlus
documentation library.
No program is able to handle every simulation situation. However, it is the intent of En-
ergyPlus to handle as many building and HVAC design options either directly or indirectly
1.2. WHY DOES ENERGYPLUS EXIST AND WHAT WERE ITS ORIGINAL GOALS?7

through links to other programs in order to calculate thermal loads and/or energy consump-
tion on for a design day or an extended period of time (up to, including, and beyond a
year). While the first version of the program contained mainly features directly linked to the
thermal aspects of buildings, later versions of the program also included other issues that
are important to the built environment: water, electrical systems, etc.
Although it is important to note what EnergyPlus is, it is also important to remember
what it is not.

EnergyPlus is not a user interface. It is intended to be the simulation engine around

which a third-party interface can be wrapped. Inputs and outputs are simple ASCII
text that is decipherable but best left to a GUI (graphical user interface). This ap-
proach allows interface designers to do what they do bestproduce quality tools specif-
ically targeted toward individual markets and concerns. The availability of EnergyPlus
frees up resources previously devoted to algorithm production and allows them to be
redirected interface feature development in order to keep pace with the demands and
expectations of building professionals.

EnergyPlus is currently not a life cycle cost analysis tool. It produces results that
can then be fed into an LCC program. In general, calculations of this nature are
better left to smaller utility programs which can respond more quickly to changes
in escalation rates and changes to methodologies as prescribed by state, federal, and
defense agencies.

EnergyPlus is not an architect or design engineer replacement. It does not check input,
verify the acceptability or range of various parameters (expect for a limited number
of very basic checks), or attempt to interpret the results. While many GUI programs
assist the user in fine-tuning and correcting input mistakes, EnergyPlus still operates
under the garbage in, garbage out standard. Engineers and architects will always be
a vital part of the design and thermal engineering process.

1.2 Why does EnergyPlus exist and what were its orig-
inal goals?
The existence of EnergyPlus is directly related to some of the increasingly obvious shortcom-
ings of its predecessor programsBLAST and DOE2. Both programs, though still valid
tools that will continue to have utility in various environments, have begun to show their age
in a variety of ways. Both BLAST and DOE2 were written in older version of FORTRAN
and used features that will eventually be obsolete in new compilers. Both programs consisted
of a significant amount of spaghetti code and outdated structures that made it difficult
to maintain, support, and enhance. Neither BLAST nor DOE2 is able to correctly handle
feedback from the HVAC system to the zone conditions.
Finally, the speed with which new technology in the HVAC field is developed has far
outpaced the ability of the support and development groups of both programs to keep the
programs current and viable. This is really the key issue in the existence of EnergyPlus: there
8 CHAPTER 1. ENERGYPLUS OVERVIEW

simply are not enough researchers worldwide who have enough experience with the complex
code of the programs to keep pace with new technology. In addition, due to the years of
experience necessary to make modifications to either BLAST or DOE2, it is extremely
expensive and time consuming to produce models or train someone to become proficient in
either programs code. The following paragraphs address how the goals of EnergyPlus have
been carefully selected to solve the problems of the legacy programs and to make EnergyPlus
an international repository for algorithms that can be made available to all interested parties.
Structure and Simulation Management: The spaghetti code nature of the parent
programs resulted in great confusion as to how information flowed within the program, when
data was modified or should be modified, and what was happening when. Thus, one of the
goals of EnergyPlus development was to eliminate the interconnections between various
program sections and the need to understand all parts of the code just to make an addition
to a very limited part of the program. This goal was achieved through a program structure
that implemented a manager philosophy. In effect, the program consists of many pieces
(i.e., modulessee next paragraph) which when viewed graphically resemble an inverted
tree. Instead of allowing lower level pieces of the program and calls to those sections of
the code to infiltrate up to the highest level of the simulation, each branch exercises control
over when its sub-branches are called. Thus, this is much like an organization chart where
management over employees proceeds up a chain of command until it reaches the CEO
of the simulation. In EnergyPlus, a subroutine called ManageSimulation serves the CEO
role. This single subroutine controls four of the five main simulation loops (environment,
day, hour, sub-hour time step; the system time step is controlled by the HVAC manager).
In addition, this subroutine also sets global flags that are used by other subroutines and
modules to determine the state of the simulation so that each part of the program knows
whether to read input, initialize, simulate, report, etc. The manager philosophy makes the
links between program modules simple and explicit. Typically, each module is accessible only
through a call to its manager routine. Developers no longer have to worry about hidden and
unexpected connections between and among program subroutines.
Modularity: One of the benefits of the structural improvements over the legacy pro-
grams is that the code can now be much more object-oriented and modular in nature. A
result of the goal for improved structure in EnergyPlus was the definition of a well-organized,
module concept that would facilitate adding features and links to other programs. It was
decided that FORTRAN90 would be used for the initial release of EnergyPlus due to the
fact that it:

is a modern, modular language with good compilers on many platforms

allows C-like data structures and mixed language modules
provides structure that begins to be object-based
allows long variable names (up to 32 characters)
provides backward compatibility with legacy code during the development process

The key benefit of modularity is that researchers can develop modules concurrently with-
out interfering with other modules under development and with only a limited knowledge
1.2. WHY DOES ENERGYPLUS EXIST AND WHAT WERE ITS ORIGINAL GOALS?9

of the entire program structure. This feature is critical to promoting both widespread use
and broad development of program models. EnergyPlus can only be successful if the pool
of potential model developers increases significantly so that interest and economics drives
what models are added to the program rather than have its extensions limited by a lack
of intellectual resources. Thus, modularity and structure improvements in EnergyPlus solve
the problems of not having enough experts to keep up with technology and the large start-up
time and expense previously needed to bring someone up to speed on program additions.
Since the original version (2001), EnergyPlus code and structure continued to evolve
and adopt the ever changing Fortran Standard. However, in 2014, a full conversion of the
simulation code to C++ was completed. The development team also adapted workflows and
open sourced the code and posted it on Github. Just like how the Fortran simulation code
utilized modern Fortran standard capabilities, the C++ code utilizes modern (C++11)
C++ standard capabilities.
Established Links: The modularity of EnergyPlus makes it easier for other developers
to quickly add other component simulation modules. This means that it will be significantly
easier to establish links to other programming elements. Since initially the EnergyPlus code
will contain a significant number of existing modules, there will be many places within the
HVAC code where natural links to new programming elements can be established. These
are fully documented to assist other developers in a swift integration of their research into
EnergyPlus. In addition to these more natural links in the HVAC section of the code,
EnergyPlus will also have other more fluid links in areas such as the heat balance that will
allow for interaction where the modules might be more complex or less component based.
Again, the goal of this feature of EnergyPlus is maximize the number of developers who can
quickly integrate their work into EnergyPlus for the minimum investment of resources. The
following diagram depicts how other programs have already been linked to EnergyPlus and
a big picture view of how future work can impact the program.
Integration of Loads, Systems, and Plants: One of the strong points of EnergyPlus
is the integration of all aspects of the simulationloads, systems, and plants. Based on a
research version of the BLAST program called IBLAST, system and plant output is allowed
to directly impact the building thermal response rather than calculating all loads first, then
simulating systems and plants. The simulation is coupled allowing the designer to more
accurately investigate the effect of undersizing fans and equipment and what impact that
might have on the thermal comfort of occupants within the building. The diagram below
shows a basic overview of the integration of these important elements of a building energy
simulation.
Open Source Code: Another advantage of EnergyPlus that it shares with both
BLAST and DOE2 is that the source code of the program will be available and open
for public inspection, revision, etc. The program is not intended to be a black box that is
unintelligible to the users and developers around the world. While there are many conflicting
ideas on what is meant by open, EnergyPlus is certainly not closed since this would be
counter to the goals that have already been stated. The hope is that this access to source
code will improve the accuracy and usability of the program over the long term and allow
many developers to work on the program simultaneously. This developer friendly stance
is critical to keeping EnergyPlus current and in step with technological advances.
In summary, the goals of EnergyPlus are ambitious but achievable via the path described
10 CHAPTER 1. ENERGYPLUS OVERVIEW

Figure 1.1: EnergyPlus the big picture

Figure 1.2: EnergyPlus Internal elements

1.3. ENERGYPLUS DOCUMENTATION LIBRARY 11

above. EnergyPlus aims to be a program that is relatively simple to work with from the
perspective of both the users and the developer. The development team made tremendous
efforts to keep simulation code and algorithms as separate as possible and as modular as
possible to minimize the overall knowledge that someone would need to have to add models to
the program. This will minimize the resource investment and maximize the impact of current
research in the field of building energy analysis and thermal load calculations. Finally, the
full coupling of building envelopes, systems, and plants will provide a better understanding
of how a building responds not only to the environmental factors that impact the building
but also the HVAC system as it attempts to meet the thermal loads on the building.
It is also important to note that testing and verification are key issues in the development
of any new program such as EnergyPlus. While there are large sections of EnergyPlus that
consist of brand new code, the majority of the heat balance code can be traced back to
the original parent programs. It should be noted that while this code has been significantly
reengineered the team used what has been termed an evolutionary reengineering (ER)
process. In ER, program code is modified stepwise in an effort to restructure it, modularize
it, replace old obsolete data structures, etc. The ultimate goal is to bring it up to current
programming standards without starting over with new code. At each step along the way,
the program is exercised over a variety of input files and parameters to insure that what
were intended to be algorithm neutral changes in the program have not resulted in changes
to the output. This process was very successful and bolstered confidence in the program.
In addition, comparisons could be made back to legacy programs to show that the new
program is at a minimum as accurate as its predecessors. Beyond this, EnergyPlus has
also been subjected to a lengthy and rigorous testing plan by an outside agency as well as
numerous beta testers. This level of effort and collaboration is unprecedented in the history
of energy analysis and thermal load calculation programs and has resulted in a much higher
level of confidence in the results produced by EnergyPlus.

1.3 EnergyPlus Documentation Library

The documentation library for EnergyPlus has historically been provided in the form of pdfs
packaged with the release. As of the 8.3.0 release, a major conversion was completed where
the source of the docs was changed to Markdown. This allows for numerous improvements:

Easy to automatically translate in between other markup languages, including html,

thus making it easy to host as a web page.
Merging can be done automatically so the documentation source can stay alongside
the source code, idd, and idfs, and all be merged at once. With the ever-increasing
visibility of EnergyPlus development, it is becoming key that documentation is directly
in sync with the rest of the program files.
Since Markdown is clear text, it is platform-independent and maximizes the possibility
for outside contributions to EnergyPlus.

The Markdown source for the latest major release is converted to html which is then
available at http://energyplus.net/documentation. The current, or daily documentation
12 CHAPTER 1. ENERGYPLUS OVERVIEW

is available at http://nrel.github.io/EnergyPlus, but since this is a moving target within a

release cycle, it is recommended that users view the .net documentation page.
Two key aspects of the documentation that are currently in development and should be
completed soon are:

Search: the ability to search the online html docs easily

Download as pdf: the ability to download pdfs for local/offline access

The Markdown based documentation is structured similarly to the pdfs, though the larger
files are broken into smaller pieces for faster load times due to the dynamic nature of the
math, especially in the engineering reference. Each of the main documentation pieces are
described here.

1.3.1 User Information Documents

The following documents relate to using EnergyPlus, the engine. These documents cover a
full range of questions and should be the first place a beginning or even experienced user
would go to find out how the program works, what it expects as input, what it produces as
output, etc. In general, the information in these documents is not highly technical, but it is
detailed enough to use the basic capabilities of the program.
Getting Started with EnergyPlus the Basics Manual: You are currently read-
ing the Overview section of this document. The overview contains a big picture description
of the EnergyPlus program as well as background of its development and the goals to which
it ascribes. The remainder of the Getting Started document provides beginning users with
an introduction into how to run EnergyPlus, what files are needed for EnergyPlus to exe-
cute, and what files are produced when EnergyPlus runs successfully. It also provides some
guidance as to how to determine what potential sources of errors are when EnergyPlus runs
into problems and how serious those problems might be.
Input and Output Reference: This document is a thorough description of the various
input and output files related to EnergyPlus, the format of these files, and how the files
interact and interrelate.
Output Details, Examples and Data Sets: While the Input and Output Reference
document touch on some of the outputs from EnergyPlus, this document has more details
and specific examples. It also addresses the reference data sets that are included.
Auxiliary Programs: This document contains information for the auxiliary programs
that are part of the EnergyPlus package. For example, this document contains the user man-
ual for the Weather Converter program, descriptions on using Ground Heat Transfer auxiliary
programs with EnergyPlus, Compact HVAC descriptions, the Transition program/package
and other assorted documents.

1.3.2 Engineering Reference Document

The Engineering Reference provides more in-depth knowledge into the theoretical basis be-
hind the various calculations contained in the program. This reference includes more infor-
mation on modeling equations, limitations, literature references, etc. The document con-
1.3. ENERGYPLUS DOCUMENTATION LIBRARY 13

tains the following information and is structured along the lines of the above illustration
(Figure 1.2. EnergyPlus Internal elements).
Heat Balance Overview and Reference: This section describes the heat balance
calculations that form the basis of the EnergyPlus building model. It includes descriptions
of shadowing calculations and other pieces of the model.
HVAC Overview and Reference:This section contains a description of the loop-
based approach used by EnergyPlus to model the HVAC systems: air loops, water loops,
etc. It includes a description of the higher-level managers that control the simulation flow as
well as some information on the various components that can be linked together to comprise
an HVAC system.
HVAC Branch Based Input Description:This section is a special extension of
both the input document and the HVAC overview document. It contains more detail on
the various HVAC input objects and how these different object link together to form an
HVAC description. It contains vital information mainly for the interface developer but also
provides users with an in-depth look at the inner workings of the loop approach adopted by
EnergyPlus.
Encyclopedic Reference:If the information did not fit in the above categories, then
the last part of the Engineering Reference is a detailed description of the various models.

1.3.3 Application Guides

The application guides are intended to address specific applications using EnergyPlus where
the other documents may not provide cohesive examples of intended usage; that is, the
techniques for doing certain things may be spread throughout other documents but warrant
a more how to approach that will be present in these documents. The application guides
are intended to become more prolific over time, specifically targeted to questions users have
sent to the helpdesk support site.
Current Application Guides:
EMS Application Guide: This guide contains information useful to use the advanced
feature of EnergyPlus: Energy Management System tweaks. The Erl language is described
and examples for use are given.
External Interface Application Guide: This guide contains information specific to
using the external interface feature of EnergyPlus to connect other simulation systems.
Plant Application Guide: This guide details the methods for simulating real chilled
and hot water plant systems within EnergyPlus.
Using EnergyPlus for Compliance Guide: This guide contains information specific
to using EnergyPlus in Compliance and Standard Rating systems.
External Interface(s) Application Guide: This guide contains information about
external interfaces (through the Building Controls Virtual Test Bed link) to EnergyPlus.
Tips & Tricks for Using EnergyPlus: This guide contains short tips and tricks for
using various parts of EnergyPlus.
14 CHAPTER 1. ENERGYPLUS OVERVIEW

1.3.4 Developer Menu and Developer Information Documents

The following documents will be most useful to potential developers of EnergyPlus, both
Interface Developers and Module Developers. Interface Developers will be creating input
and output wraps on EnergyPlus so that is it is usable to the architect, design engineers,
and others. Module developers will be creating new modules within the EnergyPlus structure
and framework.
Interface Developers Guide: This document is critically important to persons in-
terested in developing an interface that provides input to and read output from EnergyPlus.
It is a comprehensive guide to the input data dictionary and the input data files that contain
a users building data. Each piece of input syntax is described in detail. In addition, the
mechanism for obtaining output and the format in which output will be produced are dis-
cussed. This document also contains sections on weather files and units. Numerous samples
and examples are given throughout the document with a full file length example provided
in the appendix.
Module Developers Guide: This document contains a wealth of information that is
intended to provide as much assistance as possible to persons interested in adding modules
to the EnergyPlus program. It reviews the module concept as outlined in the programming
standard and how they have been implemented in EnergyPlus. It provides a description of
how the various modules work together and how the program is structured from a module
tree (inverted tree) perspective. One of the most important features of this document is a list
of standard EnergyPlus service subroutines and modules that greatly simplify the developers
task of integrating their work into the program. Input and output issues are also addressed
from the perspective of how modules actually obtain data from the input file and how each
section of the code sends data to the output files.
Chapter 2

Getting Started with EnergyPlus

The remainder of this document is intended to give you a start on using the program with
a few simple tools (EP-Launch to help run the simulation; IDFEditor to help create or look
at input files) as well as some of the features (such as energy meters, simulation results) of
using the program.
For learning about a specific input file, or a specific input object, the install includes two
documents in the ExampleFiles folder:
Example Files Summary (highlights of each example file)
Example Files Links to Objects (for any object, up to 3 files using that object are
shown)
The standard Windows install procedure has put the following information on your com-
puter, in the directories/folders shown.
The main EnergyPlus folder contains: * Energy+.idd * EnergyPlus.exe and dependent
shared libraries (dll files) * RunEPlus.bat and other batch files for running EnergyPlus *
readme file(s), license, etc. * EP-Macro.exe and other support binaries * bugreprt.txt
The general layout of folders from the install looks like:
. EnergyPlus main folder
+-- Documentation
| +-- A link to find the documentation online , and any additional docs packaged with the
installation
+-- DataSets
| +-- Reference Data Sets (libraries)
+-- MacroDataSets
| +-- Macroized Reference Data Sets (libraries)
+-- PreProcess
| +-- FMUParser Tool for external interface specific applications
| +-- IDFEditor Program files for the IDFEditor
| +-- GrndTempCalc Special program to calculate ground temperatures.
| +-- DOE2Translator Simple translator for DOE -2 files
| +-- WeatherConverter Tool for performing weather file creation and conversion
| +-- ParametricPreprocessor Parametric simulation tool
| +-- IDFVersionUpdater Graphical tool for updating old EnergyPlus files to the latest
version
+-- PostProcess
| +-- ReadVarsEso The simple post processor exe.
| +-- EPCompare A graphical tool for comparing two EnergyPlus output sets
+-- ExampleFiles Sample input , output , results files shipped with the program.
+-- WeatherData Sample weather files shipped with the program.

15
Chapter 3

Running EnergyPlus

3.1 Introduction
EnergyPlus is a simulation program designed for modeling buildings with all their associated
heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment. EnergyPlus is a simulation engine: it
was designed to be an element within a system of programs that would include a graphical
user interface to describe the building. However, it can be run stand alone without such an
interface. This document describes how to run EnergyPlus in such a stand alone fashion.
This section will introduce you to the EP-Launch program, which helps you run Energy-
Plus. EP-Launch looks and acts pretty much like a standard Windows program, so if you
just want to get started with some exercises, you can skip to the section Tutorial Example
for running EnergyPlus first and come back to this section if you run into problems with
EP-Launch.
Like all simulation programs, EnergyPlus consists of more than just an executable file.
EnergyPlus needs various input files that describe the building to be modeled and the en-
vironment surrounding it. The program produces several output files, which need to be
described or further processed in order to make sense of the results of the simulation. Fi-
nally, even in stand-alone mode, EnergyPlus is usually not executed by hand, but rather
by running a procedure file which takes care of finding input files and storing or further
processing the output files.
To assist those in the Windows environment, we have included the EP-Launch program.
Review the next section for basic instructions. More advanced techniques of executing the
program are contained in the Auxiliary Programs document under Technical Details of
running EnergyPlus, including some advanced uses of the EP-Launch program. If you wish
to learn about DOS/Command Line use for EnergyPlus, you will need to read that section
in the Auxiliary Programs document.

3.2 EP-Launch Program

EP-Launch is an optional component of the EnergyPlus Windows installation (it is not
available for Linux and Mac platforms). For users that want a simple way of selecting files
and running EnergyPlus, EP-Launch provides this and more. In addition, EP-Launch can

16
3.2. EP-LAUNCH PROGRAM 17

help open a text editor for the input and output files, open a spreadsheet for the postprocessor
results files, a web browser for the tabular results file, and start up a viewer for the selected
drawing file.

Figure 3.1: EP-Launch Screen

3.2.1 Start EP-Launch

EP-Launch is located in the main directory/folder for EnergyPlus. In addition, it is available
on the shortcut menu for EnergyPlus. By double clicking on the EP-Launch icon you get
the screen shown above (Figure 3.1) for running a single input file. The EP-Launch program
simply starts other programs and allows you to avoid having to use the DOS command line
prompt to run EnergyPlus. More help is provided for the program under the Help menu.
18 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

3.2.2 Selecting Input and Weather Files

The input file and weather files can be selected on the Single Input File tab from the two pull
down lists which show recently used files or you can press the Browse buttons to locate
an input or weather file that you have created yourself. If this is your first time using EP-
Launch, the pull down lists will show some files from the ExampleFiles subdirectory. These
are not the only examples, use browse to open other example files from the ExampleFiles
subdirectory or other EnergyPlus input files.

3.2.3 Running a Single Input File

On the Single Input File tab, after you select the weather and input files simply push the
Simulate button to start the EnergyPlus building energy simulation engine. At this point
a black DOS window should pop up on your screen and show the progress of your simulation.
The simulation is complete when the black DOS box closes. The EnergyPlus program black
DOS window will show scrolling text as the simulation procedure progresses. If you would
like to see these messages more slowly you have two options:
1) Press the Control-S key combination to try to stop the progress and any key to
continue.
2) Under the View menu on the EP-Launch program, select Options then Com-
mand Window then check Pause During Simulation and this will pause the process im-
mediately after EnergyPlus executes. To continue after the pause, press any key.
If the file contains Parametric objects, the single input file may cause multiple simulations
to be performed. If multiple simulations are performed, the output files will be listed on the
History tab and will be named with either the file suffixes defined in the input file or with a
serial number.
Multiple single input file and group simulations can be started at the same time. On
a computer with multiple-processors or multiple-cores, this will enable the simulations to
complete more quickly than starting one after another.

3.2.4 Looking at the Results

After you have run a simulation and the black DOS window closes, EnergyPlus has com-
pleted, and a status message is displayed see Figure 3.2:

Figure 3.2: EP-Launch Finish Status

3.2. EP-LAUNCH PROGRAM 19

This status gives you a quick overview of whether there were warning (should look
at), severe (should probably fix) or fatal (must fix) errors in the run as well as the
time it took for the simulation to complete. After pressing OK from this box, selecting
ERR/EIO/BND Output Files Only from the View menu will display the ERR, EIO, and
BND files useful when errors may have occurred. Alternatively, pressing the F2 function
key will display the same three files.
Another way to open files easily is by using the View Results buttons shown in Figure 3.3.
Two different panels of buttons can be used under View Results, one shown by using the
All tab on the left edge and by using the Sets tab on the left edge. The All tab shows
all the various files by file extension that can be viewed individually. Files available for
view based on the current input file name are enabled (extension names clearly readable).
The contents of each file extension is listed below.

Figure 3.3: EP-Launch with the Sets tab of View Results

The figure above shows the same main screen of EP-Launch but with the Sets tab
selected on the left edge of the View Results section. The buttons on this tab can open
20 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

many files at the same time and are a shortcut to opening the files that may be commonly
used. The Text Output Files, Drawing Files, and Spreadsheets buttons cause several different
results files to open at once based on the currently selected Input File. The HTML file opens
just the tabular results file if that file was produced (see OutputContol:Table:Style).
The contents (along with examples) are discussed in the Output Details document.
You can also view the results using one of the three buttons (Text Output Files,
Drawing File and Spreadsheets) in the View Results area of the main EP-Launch
screen.
By pressing the Text Output Files button, a text editor will open each of the text
output files. Up to 29 files will open, if they exist. Selecting Single File from the View
menu displays a menu of all available output files from which any file can be opened
individually. Each file may also be opened with an associated function key. The output files
and function key shortcuts are listed below:
1. Variable tabulated results in comma, tab or space delimited format (generated by
the ReadVarsESO postprocessor) (F4)
2. ESO raw report variable output (F5),
3. RDD list of output variables available from the run (F6).
4. MDD list of output meters available from the run (Shift-Ctrl-F3)
5. EIO additional EnergyPlus results (F7),
6. ERR list of errors and warnings (F8),
7. BND HVAC system node and component connection details (F9),
8. MTR raw report meter output (F11),
9. MTD list of meter component variables (F12)
10. METER File tabulated meter report in comma, tab or space delimited format
(generated by the ReadVarsESO postprocessor) (Ctrl-F4)
11. ZSZ zone sizing details in comma, tab or space delimited format (Ctrl+F5)
12. SSZ system sizing details in comma, tab or space delimited format (Ctrl+F6)
13. AUDIT input file echo with input processor errors and warnings (Ctrl+F8)
14. SLN output from report, surfaces, lines (Ctrl+F9)
15. DBG output from the debug command (Ctrl+F11)
16. SHD output related to shading (Ctrl+F12)
17. SVG - HVAC Diagram (Shift+ F4)
18. EPMIDF clean idf file after EP-Macro processing (Shift+F5)
19. EPMDET EP-Macro detailed output with errors and warnings (Shift+F6)
20. MAP daylighting illuminance map (Shift+F7)
21. TABLE tabulated report of bin and monthly data in comma, tab or space delimited
or HTML format (Shift+F8)
22. VMRL drawing file in VRML (Virtual Reality Markup Language) format (Shift
F+F11)
23. DXF drawing file in AutoCAD DXF format (Shift+F12)
24. Delight IN - DElight input generated from EnergyPlus processed input
(Shift+Ctrl+F4)
25. Delight OUT Detailed DElight output (Shift+Ctrl+F5)
26. Delight ELDMP DElight reference point illuminance per time step (Shift+Ctrl+F6)
27. Delight DFDMP DElight warning and error messages (Shift+Ctrl+F7)
3.2. EP-LAUNCH PROGRAM 21

28. EXPIDF Expanded IDF when using HVACTemplate objects (Shift+Ctrl+F8)

29. Group Error combined error files for a group run. (Shift+Ctrl+F9)
30. VCpErr Transition program error file (Shift+Ctrl+F11)
31. Screen (Shift+Ctrl+f12)
32. Proc CSV Simple statistiscs generated from CSVProc (also see Create Statistics
File option under View-Options).
33. EDD Energy Management System details.
Clicking on the Drawing File button will open the generated DXF file if an appropriate
viewer has been configured (see Selecting Viewers and Editors below). The DXF file is
a CAD format that displays the physical shape of the building being modeled in three
dimensions. The Drawing File button also opens the HVAC diagram generated with the
HVAC-Diagram utility (see Auxiliary Programs).
Clicking on the Spreadsheets buttons will open any generated CSV files if an appro-
priate viewer has been configured (see Selecting Viewers and Editors below).

3.2.5 Viewing the Drawing File without Running a Simulation

The Drawing button (or the View menu Drawing File option) will automatically run
EPDrawGUI if the DXF file does not exist or it is older than the input file. This allows the
building geometry to be viewed without running a full simulation. For more information
about EPDrawGUI, see the Auxiliary Programs document.

3.2.6 Editing the Input Files

The input file, called IDF file that is selected from the top pull-down list, can be edited by
pressing one of two buttons in the Input File area. The Edit - Text Editor button will
start a text editor and the Edit - IDF Editor will start the separate program called the
IDF Editor. Remember to save any changes you make in either editor before returning to
EP-Launch to run the simulations again.

3.2.7 File Menu

The File menu can be used for selecting input and weather files just like the Browse
buttons (see the Selecting Input and Weather Files section above).
If you are upgrading from the previous version of EnergyPlus you can use the File,
Transition menu option to upgrade your EnergyPlus input files (IDF and IMF) to the
most recent version (see the AuxiliaryPrograms document for more information about the
Transition program). This EP-Launch option only works for upgrading input files one ver-
sion.

3.2.8 Edit Menu

No cutting or pasting is used in this program so the edit menu shows options that duplicate
the functions of the Edit Text Editor and Edit IDF Editor buttons. In addition, the
weather file and the postprocessor command file (rvi) may be opened in the text editor.
22 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

3.2.9 View Menu

The View menu (Figure 3.4) duplicates the options in the View Results area of the main
screen (see the Looking at the Results section above) and allows opening of selected output
files. You can also open the folders that contain the active input and weather files. Opening
a single file is under a submenu and is very similar to the Quick Open Panel for Single
Simulation described above. Selecting HTML File from the View menu will open any
user created files saved in the format: <filename>table.html (see OutputControl:Table:Style).

Figure 3.4: EP-Launch View Menu

The View menu also accesses the Options menu item shown in Figure 3.5 that is
used to control many of the optional features of EP-Launch. These optional features are
described below:
3.2. EP-LAUNCH PROGRAM 23

Figure 3.5: EP-Launch Options Screen.

3.2.9.1 Command Window Options

Pause During Simulation (Unless Minimized) Stops the progress of the EnergyPlus
run at different points. This does not stop the simulation itself but pauses before or after
important events as files are copied or utility programs are run. It is usually used only for
diagnosing problems with the EPL-RUN batch file. The feature is also described in the
Running a Single Input File section above.
Minimize Single Simulation Command Window For a single input file, minimizes
the Command Window that EP-Launch uses to run EnergyPlus. The command window will
appear only in the Windows taskbar and the command window will not be visible. You can
restore the command window be clicking on the taskbar item labeled EnergyPlus Process.
This option should be used with caution since you will not see any indication of the simulation
being complete other than the EnergyPlus Process taskbar item will disappear.
Minimize Group Simulation Command Window For a group of input files, min-
imizes the Command Window that EP-Launch uses to run EnergyPlus. This is a good
option when working on something else on your computer at the same time as the group of
simulations is running since the command window normally becomes the front window each
time a new simulation starts. This option prevents the command window coming to the
front for each simulation. The command window will appear only in the Windows taskbar
and the command window will not be visible. You can restore the command window be
clicking on the taskbar item labeled EnergyPlus Process. This option should be used with
caution since you will not see any indication of the simulation being complete other than
24 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

the EnergyPlus Process taskbar item will not be present.

Number of Simultaneous Processes Select the maximum number of simulations
that should be able to be run at the same time. For a computer with multiple processors or
multiple cores, this will allow better utilization of the computers power. The value selected
should correspond to the number of processors/cores but higher or lower number can be used
as well.

3.2.9.2 Interface Options

Extra Wide Window Select this option to make the main EP-Launch window wider.
This is useful when files are used with very long file path names.
Alternative layout Changes the layout of the EP-Launch window to an alternative
arrangement of buttons.

3.2.9.3 Miscellaneous Options

Tab Delimited Open with Spreadsheet Selecting Single File and then Main Re-
sults File from the View menu or pressing the F4 function key will open TAB files with
the default spreadsheet application rather than the text editor. Comma-separated variable
(CSV) is the default setting for viewing tabulated results set in the RVI file. If the user
changes the setting for viewing tabulated results to TAB or TXT format, selecting Single
File and then Main Results File from the View menu or pressing the F4 function key
will open the files in the default text editor. TAB files, when selected, will also be opened
by the text editor when the Text Output Files button is pressed after a successful run.
Allow More Than 250 Columns Tabulated data that exceeds 250 columns, the
MS Excel maximum, will be truncated to that limit unless Allow >250 Columns is se-
lected. Excel versions prior to 2007 were limited to 255 columns in a sheet; later versions
allow unlimited number of columns. This limitation may not be true for other spreadsheet
programs.
Check VERSION Prior to Simulation Automatically check the VERSION object
in the selected EnergyPlus input file prior to simulation and if it is an older version than the
current version will run the Transition program to update the file.
Convert ESO/MTR to IP Units Runs the convertESOMTR utility program (see
AuxiliaryPrograms documentation for more information). This utility will convert the ESO
and MTR files into Inch-Pound units. The CSV file created from these files will also be in
Inch-Pound units.
Create Statistics File Runs the CSVProc utility program (see the AuxiliaryPrograms
documentation for more information) and creates the Proc.csv file. This file contains some
simple statistics on each variable in the normal CSV file.
Create Batch File to Run EnergyPlus Traditionally EP-Launch has created a
batch file in order to execute EnergyPlus with the various options chosen. This can cause
problems with some operating systems, such as Windows Vista, when set to a higher secu-
rity setting. This option can be unchecked and a batch file is not created when running
EnergyPlus instead parameters are passed to an existing batch file.
3.2. EP-LAUNCH PROGRAM 25

Run ParametricPreprocessor When this option is checked, if Parametric objects

are present in the file, the ParametricPreprocessor will be run prior to the first simulation
and if multiple simulations are needed they will all be executed. See the Auxiliary Programs
documentation for details.
Check for Updates to EnergyPlus When this option is checked, EP-Launch will
check every seven days if an update to EnergyPlus or any of the files distributed with
EnergyPlus are available to download. If they are available a message will be shown upon
start up. You can also manually check by going to HELP .. CHECK FOR UPDATES.

3.2.9.4 Text Editor Options

EP-Launch will start a text editor when editing a IDF file or when viewing many of the
results files. The text editor that will be used is shown but can be changed by either
pressing the Select button or by pressing the Auto Find button. The Select button allows
you to find the text editor of your choice. The Auto Find button will automatically find the
program that is associated with the TXT file extension and use that program. Auto Find
is invoked the first time EP-Launch is started so that a text editor is available immediately.
The most common text editor is NOTEPAD.EXE and is built into Windows but many other
text editors are also available.

3.2.9.5 Drawing Viewer Options

The default drawing viewer is the application associated with DXF files. This can be changed
to your favorite drawing program by using the Select button then locating the executable
file for your favorite drawing software capable of reading a DXF file. The Auto Find button
will automatically find the program that is associated with the DXF file extension and use
that program. A variety of programs (free of charge) can render DXF files for viewing. The
Output Details document lists some of these programs as well as displaying what a DXF
rendered file looks like on the screen.

3.2.9.6 VRML Viewer Options

EP-Launch will start a VRML Viewer when a building drawing is created using the Report,
Surfaces, VRML option in your IDF file. The VRML Viewer that will be used is shown but
can be changed by either pressing the Select button or by pressing the Auto Find button.
The Select button allows you to find the VRML Viewer of your choice. The Auto Find
button will automatically find the program that is associated with the WRL file extension
and use that program. Auto Find is invoked the first time EP-Launch is started so that a
VRML Viewer is available immediately. Many other VRML Viewers are available.

3.2.9.7 Spreadsheet Options

EP-Launch will start a spreadsheet program when viewing many of the results files. The
spreadsheet that will be used is shown but can be changed by either pressing the Select button
or by pressing the Auto Find button. The Select button allows you to find the spreadsheet
program of your choice. The Auto Find button will automatically find the program that is
26 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

associated with the CSV file extension and use that program. Auto Find is invoked the first
time EP-Launch is started so that a spreadsheet program is available immediately.

3.2.9.8 Diagramming Options

EP-Launch will start a diagramming program to view SVG files from HVAC Diagram. The
diagramming program that will be used is shown but can be changed by either pressing
the Select button, the Auto Find button, the Use Firefox button or the Use Opera button.
The Select button allows you to find the diagramming program of your choice but make
sure it is capable of opening SVG files. The Auto Find button will automatically find the
program that is associated with the SVG file extension and use that program. Auto Find
is invoked the first time EP-Launch is started so that a spreadsheet program is available
immediately. Since both Firefox and Opera web browsers can view SVG files, those buttons
will select those respective browsers if available.

3.2.9.9 HTML Browser Options

EP-Launch will start a HTML browser program when viewing the tabular results file when
HTML is chosen in OutputControl:Table:Style object. The HTML browser that will be used
is shown but can be changed by either pressing the Select button or by pressing the Auto
Find button. The Select button allows you to find the HTML browser of your choice. The
Auto Find button will automatically find the program that is associated with the HTML file
extension and use that program. Auto Find is invoked the first time EP-Launch is started
so that a HTML browser is available immediately.

3.2.9.10 ESO Viewer Options

By default, ESO files are opened with a text editor. ESO files are the raw output file
containing results from EnergyPlus for Output:Variable objects. They are often processed
into CSV files to make it easier to view them. At least one utility program has been developed
to view ESO files directly (see the EnergyPlus.gov web site under Interfaces & Other Tools,
Third-party EnergyPlus Tools). The Auto Find and Select buttons work the same way as
other viewer selectors. If no special ESO viewer is selected the box will be shown as empty.
It can also be emptied by using the Clear button.

3.2.9.11 PDF Viewer Options

EP-Launch will start a PDF viewer program when opening the EnergyPlus documentation
under the Help menu. The PDF Viewer that will be used is shown but can be changed by
either pressing the Select button or by pressing the Auto Find button. The Select button
allows you to find the PDF Viewer of your choice. The Auto Find button will automatically
find the program that is associated with the PDF file extension and use that program.
Auto Find is invoked the first time EP-Launch is started so that a PDF Viewer is available
immediately.
3.2. EP-LAUNCH PROGRAM 27

3.2.9.12 File Association Options

When installing EnergyPlus, you are given an option if you want IDF, IMF, and EPG files
associated with EP-Launch. This allows double clicking on files with those extensions and
having EP-Launch start automatically with those files. If during the install that option is
not selected or if you have changed the program that opens IDF, IMF and EPG files and
want to change it back to EP-Launch, the button for this option will do that.

3.2.9.13 Reset Options

Two reset options are available here.

The Auto Find All File Viewers button will autofind all the file viewers in one step.
This is equivalent to pressing the Auto Find button for each viewer program.
The Reset All Options and Exit button will clear all options and restore the default
values used when first invoking EP-Launch for the first time. This also clears the list of
recently used IDF and weather files. This option will exit EP-Launch and you will have to
start EP-Launch again.

3.2.10 Help Menu

The Help menu can be used to open the EnergyPlus documentation files and the EP-Launch
help file. In addition, you can check for updates to the EnergyPlus program and other files
in the EnergyPlus distribution.

3.2.11 Recently Used Files

The recently used input, weather and group file pull down lists can hold a maximum of
twenty items. These lists, like the viewers selected, are saved between times you use the
EP-Launch program.

3.2.12 Utilities Tab

The utilities tab shown in the following figure allows several utility programs that come with
EnergyPlus to be used directly. More information on each utility is also available in the
AuxiliaryPrograms documentation.
For each utility, input files can be selected by using the Browse Button. The input file
can be opened using a text editor and, for certain utilities, the IDF Editor. If a weather file
is needed for a utility it can also be selected. For other utilities, no weather file is needed
and that portion of the screen is not shown. The appropriate output files can be opened by
the Open button near the bottom of the screen. To run the utility, use the Run button
in the lower left corner of the screen above the Exit button.
In addition, for each utility, a brief description of the function of the utility is shown in the
about box but much more information is available in the AuxiliaryPrograms documentation.
28 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Figure 3.6: EP-Launch Utilities Tab.

3.3. ENERGYPLUS FILE EXTENSIONS 29

3.2.13 Caveats
Remember to save changes made in the editor before you run another simulation.
The simulation cannot write new results to open files which are locked by another appli-
cation.
You will need to close the spreadsheet program that views the resulting CSV files prior
to another simulation and you may need to close the text editor windows also (depending
on your editor).
The EPL-RUN.BAT batch file is used to run EnergyPlus from the EP-Launch program.
It can be edited with care if other postprocessors or preprocessors are to be used.

3.2.14 When things go wrong

Though EnergyPlus has had several releases (including beta releases prior to initial release),
there still may be problems when input files meet with EnergyPlus. If you are using EP-
Launch when this happens, you will see a window appear as in the figure below (Figure 3.7).
Follow the instructions listed on the screen.

3.2.15 Bugs
The EP-Launch program has been through several releases but there is still a chance you
will find bugs. Please report them to the [email protected] address so that we
can fix them prior to the release.
If the pull-down lists ever are shown as blank the reset button may be used. This
unlabeled button is very small in the lower left-hand corner of the main screen. It removes
the items shown in the recently used file list and causes the program to forget the selected
viewers and text editors; and exits the program. When you start EP-Launch again, you will
need to make these selections (viewers and text editors) again.

3.3 EnergyPlus File Extensions

This section will present a list of common EnergyPlus file extensions and what they mean.
This will help you after the EP-Launch program finishes.

3.3.1 Input Files

The following files are input to the EnergyPlus program.

3.3.1.1 IDD
The input data dictionary (IDD) is an ASCII (text) file containing a list of all possible
EnergyPlus objects and a specification of the data each object requires. This file is analogous
to the DOE-2 keyword file. The Guide for Interface Developers contains a full description
of the input data dictionary.
30 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Figure 3.7: EnergyPlus crash within EP-Launch.

3.3. ENERGYPLUS FILE EXTENSIONS 31

3.3.1.2 idf
The input data file (IDF) is an ASCII file containing the data describing the building and
HVAC system to be simulated. Many example files are installed as part of the Energy-
Plus installation. Additionally, a spreadsheet file ExampleFiles.xls contains columnar
descriptions of each files features.

3.3.1.3 imf
The input macro file (IMF) is an ascii file containing the data describing the building and
HVAC system to be simulated and will have some contents of macro commands. The
Auxiliary programs document describes use of the macro commands and the program that
processes them EP-Macro. Many example files are installed as part of the EnergyPlus
installation.

3.3.1.4 ini
This is the EnergyPlus initialization file. It is an optional ascii input file that allows the
user to specify the path for the directory containing Energy+.idd. This file, using the actual
directories of the install, will be created during the install. Unless you change where the
EnergyPlus.exe file resides, you will not need to change this file.

3.3.1.5 epw
The EnergyPlus weather file is an ascii file containing the hourly or sub-hourly weather data
needed by the simulation program. The data format is described in detail in the Auxiliary
Programs Document. It is also described succinctly in the Input Output Reference document.

3.3.2 Primary Output Files

The following output files are the most important for beginning users. Then, there is the
section on other output files. And, more information about output files (complete list) is
shown in the Output Details and Examples Document.

3.3.2.1 err
A text file containing the error messages issued by EnergyPlus. This is the first output
that should be examined after a simulation.Error messages may be issued by Energy-
Plus during its input phase or during the simulation. There are three levels of error severity:
fatal, severe, and warning as well as simple information lines. A fatal error causes the
program to terminate immediately. The following table illustrates the necessary actions.
32 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Table 3.1: Error Message Levels Required Actions

Error Level Action

Information, shown Informative, usually a follow-on to one of the others. No action
as ********* required.
\ ** This is a continuation of a previous message. String all the
words/sentences together to form the complete message.
Warning Take note. Fix as applicable.
Severe Should Fix
Fatal Program will abort, Must Fix

3.3.2.2 csv
When run normally, EP-Launch and EnergyPlus automatically creates post-processed stan-
dard output (eso) and meter output (mtr) files into columnar csv (comma separated variable)
files. These files are ready to be read by spreadsheet programs (such as Excel).

3.3.2.3 htm/html
Several of the report options produce html files that can be read in standard Web
browsers. These are very powerful, information packed files. Though wary of information
overload, the easiest way to see everything is to enter the following in your input file:

OutputControl:Table ,
HTML; !- ColumnSeparator

Output:Table:SummaryReports ,
All Summary;

Note that you can also get this file in other formats (the OutputControl:Table option).

3.3.3 Other Output Files

3.3.3.1 audit
This is an text file which echoes the IDD and IDF files, flagging syntax errors in either file.
Note that both err and audit will show most of the error messages caused by input syntax
errors; however only err will show errors issued during the actual simulation. The audit can
be used when you need to see the context of the error message to fully ascertain the cause.
The audit file also contains potentially extra information that may be useful from the input
scan.

3.3.3.2 eso
The EnergyPlus Standard Output (ESO) is a text file containing the time varying simulation
output. The format of the file is discussed in the Guide for Interface Developers and the
3.3. ENERGYPLUS FILE EXTENSIONS 33

InputOutputReference. The contents of the file are controlled by Output:Variable commands

in the IDF file. Although the ESO is a text file, it is not easily interpretable by a human.
Usually postprocessing will be done on this file in order to put it in a format that can be
read by a spreadsheet; however a quick visual inspection of the file does show whether the
expected variables are output at the desired time step.

3.3.3.3 mtr
The EnergyPlus Meter Output (MTR) is a text file containing the time varying simulation
output. The format of the file is similar to the ESO file. As described in a later section of this
document (see Energy Meters), meters are a powerful reporting tool in EnergyPlus. Values
are grouped onto logical meters and can be viewed the same way that the ESO variables
are used. The contents of the file are controlled by Output:Meter commands in the IDF
file. Although the MTR is a text file, it is not easily interpretable by a human. Usually
postprocessing will be done on this file in order to put it in a format that can be read by
a spreadsheet; however a quick visual inspection of the file does show whether the expected
variables are output at the desired time step.

3.3.3.4 mtd
This file contains all the details (i.e., which report variables are on a meter and, conversely,
what meters contain) about meters.

3.3.3.5 eio
The EnergyPlus Invariant Output (EIO) is a text file containing output that does not vary
with time. For instance, location information (latitude, longitude, time zone, altitude) ap-
pears on this file.

3.3.3.6 rdd
3.3.3.7 mdd
The Report (variable) Data Dictionary (RDD) is a text file listing those variables available
for reporting (on the ESO) for this particular simulation. Which variables are available for
output depends on the actual simulation problem described in the IDF. The Report (meter)
Data Dictionary (MDD) is a text file listing those variables available for reporting (on the
MTR) for this particular simulation. Which meters are available for output depends on the
actual simulation problem described in the IDF. A simulation with no chiller does not permit
the output of any chiller report variables. The user may need to examine the RDD or MDD
to find out which report variables are available in a particular simulation. The RDD and
MDD are written only if the following is included in the IDF file.

Output:Reports , VariableDictionary;

A variant produces the same files in a IDF ready format.

34 CHAPTER 3. RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Output:Reports , VariableDictionary , IDF;

3.3.3.8 dxf
This is a file in AutoCad DXF format showing all the surfaces defined in the IDF file. It
provides a means of viewing the building geometry. The DXF file from EnergyPlus highlights
different building elements (shading, walls, subsurfaces) in differing colors. A number of
programs can read and display DXF files. Output of this file is triggered by

Output:Reports , Surfaces , DXF;

in the IDF.
Chapter 4

Tutorial Example for running

EnergyPlus

The following example is taken directly from the training course Introduction to Energy-
Plus, Exercise 1. Of course, it is presented here without the benefit of classroom pre-
sentation and discussion but when followed step by step, should provide an introduction of
actually using EnergyPlus.

4.1 Running EnergyPlus, Building Envelope, Internal

Loads, Reports
4.1.1 Overview
Rectangular single story building

Windows in east and west walls

Single zone with no interior partitions

Lightweight construction

The details of the building construction and operation are shown in the following tables
and description. For tutorial purposes, the building is located in Chicago Illinois, one of the
weather files supplied with EnergyPlus. These details are listed in a fashion to make for easy
entry into EnergyPlus.

4.1.2 Details of the exercise

4.1.2.1 Surface Constructions

Material (listed Conductivity Thickness (m) U (W/m-K) R (m-K/W) Density (kg/m) C (J/kg-K)
from outside to (W/m-K)
inside)

Walls

35
36 CHAPTER 4. TUTORIAL EXAMPLE FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Material (listed Conductivity Thickness (m) U (W/m-K) R (m-K/W) Density (kg/m) C (J/kg-K)
from outside to (W/m-K)
inside)

WOOD 0.140 0.009 15.556 0.064 530 900

SIDING-1
FIBERGLASS 0.040 0.066 0.606 1.650 12 840
QUILT-1
PLASTER- 0.160 0.012 13.333 0.075 950 840
BOARD-1
Roof
ROOF DECK 0.140 0.019 7.368 0.136 530 900
FIBERGLASS 0.040 0.066 0.606 1.650 12 840
QUILT-2
PLASTER- 0.160 0.010 1.60 0.625 950 840
BOARD-2
Floor
C5 1.73 0.1015 17.04 0.059 2243 837
CONCRETE

4.1.2.2 Window Properties

Type * Clear
Number of panes 2
Pane thickness 0.006 m
Air-gap thickness 0.0032 m
Conductivity of glass 0.9 W/m-K

Refers to specific glass type included in the EnergyPlus datasets directory

(WindowGlassMaterials.idf)

Table 4.3: Additional Model Details

Type Details
Internal Loads Lights (1000 W), Office Lighting schedule, surface mount
fluorescent
Space Conditioning Heating setpoint 20C, cooling setpoint 24C, no setback
Location Chicago, Illinois, USA; Summer and Winter design days
Simulation Period Annual, Jan 1 - Dec 31
Ground 18.2 C to 22.5 C (from Slab preprocessor, vary monthly)
Temperatures
4.2. INSTRUCTIONS 37

Figure 4.1: Schematic for Exercise 1

4.2 Instructions
4.2.1 Exercise 1A. Run Pre-Defined Building with no Windows
Objective: Learn to use EP-Launch to run an EnergyPlus input file and view output files.
1. Open EP-Launch.
2. Under Input File, browse for input file Exercise1A.idf. This input file contains the
1-zone model described above without the windows and lights. This is located under the
install folder <root>\ExampleFiles\BasicsFiles,
3. Under Weather File, select No Weather File (at the top of the pull-down list).
4. Press Simulate.
5. When the simulation is complete, review output files:

Press Text Output Files to see all text output. Look especially at the eio and err
output files.

Press Drawing Files to see a dxf drawing of the building envelope. (If using Voloview
Express, right-click to switch between wireframe and shaded orbit view. In DWG True
View, use View -> Visual Styles to switch between wireframe and solid views. In
both programs, use View Named Views to select isometric views.)

An empty svg drawing file will also open (this will show HVAC system components in
later exercises). Note that the Adobe SVG viewer is a plug-in for Internet Explorer
(IE), so IE will open when viewing an SVG file. Depending on the security settings
in IE, you may be prompted with a warning about active content.

Press Spreadsheets to open the numeric csv output files. In Exercise1a.csv, review
the pattern of outdoor conditions and loads. (To make it easier to read the column
38 CHAPTER 4. TUTORIAL EXAMPLE FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

headings, select Row 1, format cells, and turn on wrap text; then select cell B2 and
select freeze panes.) In Exercise1aMeter.csv, review the facility district heating and
cooling meters.

Zone/Sys Air Temperature the zone air temperatures are already being reported.

Outdoor Dry Bulb is being reported (so you can compare to outside temperature)

The meter for the heating in the facility - DistrictHeating:Facility is being reported.
Facility is the entire building.

The meter for the cooling in the facility - DistrictCooling:Facility is being reported.

4.2.2 Exercise 1B. Add Windows

Objective: Learn how to add materials, constructions, and a surface using 3-D coordinates.
1. In EP-Launch, with input file Exercise1A.idf still selected, press Edit IDF Edi-
tor. This will open Exercise1A.idf in the IDF Editor, a tool that assists in editing Energy-
Plus input files (idf).
2. In IDF Editor, select File -> Save Options . . . and set Saved Order to Original
with New at Top, and Special Format for Some Objects to Yes. Check the Set as
Default box.
3. In IDF Editor, Select File -> Save As . . . and save this file as Exercise1B.idf.
4. Create the construction definition for the windows which are double-pane clear gas
with an air space:

Using File -> Open Dataset, open the window glass materials dataset file, Window-
GlassMaterials.idf

Scroll down the Class list and select WindowMaterial:Glazing.

-Hint: In IDF Editor , View -> Show Classes with Objects Only (or ctl -L) will hide all empty
object types from the class list.

Locate the object which defines the material properties for CLEAR 6MM. Select
this object (by clicking on the column heading).

Using Edit -> Copy Object (or the toolbar button, or ctl-C), copy this object.

Switch windows to file Exercise1B.idf and paste the window material into this
file. (Verify that is had been added by going to WindowMaterial:Glazing to view
the object.)

Open dataset file WindowGasMaterials.idf.

Locate AIR 3MM, copy it and paste it into Exercise1B.idf.

In Exercise1B.idf, select the Construction class. There are three constructions

pre-defined for the walls, roof, and floor.
4.2. INSTRUCTIONS 39

Press New Obj to create a new blank Construction object.

Name this new construction DOUBLE PANE WINDOW.

Use the pulldown list to select CLEAR 6MM for the outside layer, then press Enter
or Return to save this entry and move to the next field.

Select AIR 3MM for Layer 2, and CLEAR 6MM for Layer 3.

5. Add the east window (3m wide by 2m high, centered on wall, see the drawing in
Figure 4.1 to determine coordinates):

Select FenestrationSurface:Detailed class.

Add a new object named EAST WINDOW.

Set the remaining fields as listed:

Surface Type = Window

Construction Name = DOUBLE PANE WINDOW

Base Surface Name = ZONE SURFACE EAST

OutsideFaceEnvironment Object . = <blank>

View Factor to Ground .. = autocalculate

Name of shading control = <blank>

WindowFrameAndDivider Name .. = <blank>

Multiplier . = 1

Number of Surface Vertex Groups = 4

Vertex coordinates = as determined from the drawing Figure 4.1. Coordinates in this
input are in World Coordinates (all relative to the global origin of 0,0,0). Coordinates
are specified as viewed from the outside of the surface, using the rules specified in the
SurfaceGeometry object.

6. Add the west window, similar to the east window.

7. Add a new Output:Surfaces:List object, type = Details. This report produces a
list of all surfaces in the eio output summarizing area, azimuth, tilt, etc.
8. Save and close the IDF file, select Exercise1B.idf in EP-Launch, run the simulation
and view outputs.

Always review the err file for errors and warnings. Fix problems if needed and re-run.

Are the windows in the right place in the dxf drawing file. (Use the Drawing File
button or select the DXF file from View -> Single File or from the Quick-Open panel).
40 CHAPTER 4. TUTORIAL EXAMPLE FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Review the surface details report in the eio file, search for Zone/Shading Surfaces
to find this report. (Use the Text Output button, Quick Open eio button, or select
from the single file menu, or use F7). This report is easier to read by pasting this
section into a spreadsheet and using the text to columns function with comma as a
delimiter).

Open the csv output file and compare the heating and cooling loads with the results
from Exercise1A.csv.

4.2.3 Exercise 1C. Add Internal Loads

Objective: Learn how to add schedules, internal loads, and report variables.
1. Save Exercise1B.idf as Exercise1C.idf.
2. Open the dataset file Schedules.idf:

Copy the Schedule:Compact object named Office Lighting, and paste it into Ex-
ercise1C.idf.

Copy the ScheduleTypeLimits object named Fraction, and paste it into Exer-
cise1C.idf.

3. In Exercise1C.idf, add a LIGHTS object named ZONE ONE Lights, using the Office
Lighting schedule, peak input is 1000W. Consult the EnergyPlus Input Output Reference
section on Lights for values for the return, radiant, and visible fractions. Assume the lights
are surface mounted fluorescents.
4. Save and close the IDF file, select Exercise1C.idf in EP-Launch, run the simulation
and review outputs.
5. Open the rdd file (the report variable data dictionary) and find report variable names
related to Lights. Add a new Output:Variable object to report the lighting electric
consumption.
6. Run the simulation and review outputs.

Check the err file.

Find the lighting electric consumption in the csv output file.

7. Compare heating and cooling loads with Exercise1A and Exercise1B.

8. Add more Output:Variable objects as desired.

4.2.4 Exercise 1D. Annual Simulation and Predefined Reports

Objective: Learn how to run an annual simulation using a weather data file and add table
reports.
1. Save Exercise1C.idf as Exercise1D.idf.
2. Edit the SimulationControl object to turn off the design day simulations by setting
Run Simulation for Sizing Periods to No and turn on the weather file (annual) simulation
by setting Run Simulation for Weather File Run Periods to Yes..
4.2. INSTRUCTIONS 41

3. Add a RunPeriod object to run a full annual simulation, let other fields default or
remain blank.
4. Add a Output:Table:SummaryReports object, and select the following re-
ports: Annual Building Performance Summary (ABUPS), Input Verification and
Results Summary (IVRS), Climate Summary, and Envelope Summary.
5. Add a OutputControl:Table:Style object, and select HTML format (ColumnSepa-
rator).
6. Edit existing Output:Variable and Output:Meter objects and change the reporting
frequency from Hourly to Monthly.
7. Save and close the IDF file, select Exercise1D.idf in EP-Launch.
8. Select Chicago TMY2 weather file (or the weather file of your choice) and run the
simulation.
9. Review outputs.

Check the err file.

Look at the monthly results in the csv output.

Press the Table output button to view the predefined reports.

4.2.5 Solution: Exercise 1

Try not to look at this section until you have completed the Exercise.

4.2.5.1 List of New Objects

This is a listing of new and modified objects created in this Exercise.
WindowMaterial:Glazing ,
CLEAR 6MM , !- Name
SpectralAverage , !- Optical Data Type
, !- Name of Window Glass Spectral Data Set
0.006 , !- Thickness {m}
0.775 , !- Solar Transmittance at Normal Incidence
0.071 , !- Solar Reflectance at Normal Incidence: Front Side
0.071 , !- Solar Reflectance at Normal Incidence: Back Side
0.881 , !- Visible Transmittance at Normal Incidence
0.080 , !- Visible Reflectance at Normal Incidence: Front Side
0.080 , !- Visible Reflectance at Normal Incidence: Back Side
0.0, !- IR Transmittance at Normal Incidence
0.84, !- IR Hemispherical Emissivity: Front Side
0.84, !- IR Hemispherical Emissivity: Back Side
0.9; !- Conductivity {W/m-K}

WindowMaterial:Gas ,
AIR 3MM , !- Name
Air , !- Gas Type
0.0032; !- Thickness {m}

Construction ,
DOUBLE PANE WINDOW , !- Name
CLEAR 6MM , !- Outside Layer
AIR 3MM , !- Layer #2
CLEAR 6MM; !- Layer #3
42 CHAPTER 4. TUTORIAL EXAMPLE FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

FenestrationSurface :Detailed ,
EAST WINDOW , !- User Supplied Surface Name
WINDOW , !- Surface Type
DOUBLE PANE WINDOW , !- Construction Name of the Surface
ZONE SURFACE EAST , !- Base Surface Name
, !- OutsideFaceEnvironment Object
autocalculate , !- View Factor to Ground
, !- Name of shading control
, !- WindowFrameAndDivider Name
1, !- Multiplier
4, !- Number of vertices
8, 1.5, 2.35, !- X,Y,Z 1 {m}
8, 1.5, 0.35, !- X,Y,Z 2 {m}
8, 4.5, 0.35, !- X,Y,Z 3 {m}
8, 4.5, 2.35; !- X,Y,Z 4 {m}

FenestrationSurface :Detailed ,
WEST WINDOW , !- User Supplied Surface Name
WINDOW , !- Surface Type
DOUBLE PANE WINDOW , !- Construction Name of the Surface
ZONE SURFACE WEST , !- Base Surface Name
, !- OutsideFaceEnvironment Object
autocalculate , !- View Factor to Ground
, !- Name of shading control
, !- WindowFrameAndDivider Name
1, !- Multiplier
4, !- Number of Vertices
0, 4.5, 2.35, !- X,Y,Z 1 {m}
0, 4.5, 0.35, !- X,Y,Z 2 {m}
0, 1.5, 0.35, !- X,Y,Z 3 {m}
0, 1.5, 2.35; !- X,Y,Z 4 {m}

Output:Surfaces:List ,Details;

Schedule:Compact ,
Office Lighting , !- Name
Fraction , !- ScheduleType
Through: 12/31 , !- Complex Field #1
For: Weekdays SummerDesignDay , !- Complex Field #2
Until: 05:00 , 0.05, !- Complex Field #4
Until: 07:00 , 0.1, !- Complex Field #6
Until: 08:00 , 0.3, !- Complex Field #8
Until: 17:00 , 0.9, !- Complex Field #10
Until: 18:00 , 0.5, !- Complex Field #12
Until: 20:00 , 0.3, !- Complex Field #14
Until: 22:00 , 0.2, !- Complex Field #16
Until: 23:00 , 0.1, !- Complex Field #18
Until: 24:00 , 0.05, !- Complex Field #20
For: Saturday WinterDesignDay , !- Complex Field #21
Until: 06:00 , 0.05, !- Complex Field #23
Until: 08:00 , 0.1, !- Complex Field #25
Until: 12:00 , 0.3, !- Complex Field #27
Until: 17:00 , 0.15, !- Complex Field #29
Until: 24:00 , 0.05, !- Complex Field #31
For: Sunday Holidays AllOtherDays , !- Complex Field #32
Until: 24:00 , 0.05; !- Complex Field #34

ScheduleTypeLimits ,
Fraction , !- ScheduleType Name
0.0, !- Lower Limit Value
1.0, !- Upper Limit Value
CONTINUOUS; !- Numeric Type

Lights ,
ZONE ONE Lights , !- Name
4.2. INSTRUCTIONS 43

ZONE ONE , !- Zone Name

Office Lighting , !- Schedule Name
LightingLevel , !- Design Level Calculation Method
1000, !- Lighting Level {W}
, !- Watts per Zone Floor Area {W/m2}
, !- Watts per Person {W/person}
0, !- Return Air Fraction
0.72, !- Fraction Radiant
0.18, !- Fraction Visible
1, !- Fraction Replaceable
General , !- End -Use Subcategory
No; !- Return Air Fraction Calculated from Plenum Temperature

Output:Variable ,*, Lights Electric Consumption ,hourly;

RunPeriod ,
1, !- Begin Month
1, !- Begin Day Of Month
12, !- End Month
31, !- End Day Of Month
UseWeatherFile , !- Day Of Week For Start Day
Yes , !- Use WeatherFile Holidays/Special Days
Yes , !- Use WeatherFile DaylightSavingPeriod
No , !- Apply Weekend Holiday Rule
Yes , !- Use WeatherFile Rain Indicators
Yes , !- Use WeatherFile Snow Indicators
1; !- Number of years of simulation

Output:Table:SummaryReports ,
Annual Building Utility Performance Summary , !- ReportName1
Input Verification and Results Summary , !- ReportName2
Climate Summary , !- ReportName3
Envelope Summary; !- ReportName4

OutputControl:Table ,
HTML; !- ColumnSeparator

SimulationControl ,
No , !- Do the zone sizing calculation
No , !- Do the system sizing calculation
No , !- Do the plant sizing calculation
No , !- Do the design day simulations
Yes; !- Do the weather file simulation
Chapter 5

Overall scheme/methodology for

running EnergyPlus

5.1 Building Simulation

If you are already familiar with modeling buildings, particularly modeling buildings for
energy consumption, you may wish to skip to IDF Editor Brief Introduction. The
following steps are general guidelines for using any building simulation program.

5.2 A Methodology for Using Energyplus

This section provides a step by step outline that will help you streamline creating your
building models for using EnergyPlus.

5.2.1 Step 1: Plan Ahead

Some preliminary steps will facilitate the construction of your input file. EnergyPlus requires
some information in specified, externally available formats; other information may require
some lead time to obtain. The following checklist should be completed before you start to
construct your input file.
Obtain location and design climate information for the city in which your building is
located. If possible, use one of the weather files available for your weather period run.
Obtain sufficient building construction information to allow specification of overall
building geometry and surface constructions (including exterior walls, interior walls,
partitions, floors, ceilings, roofs, windows and doors).
Obtain sufficient building use information to allow specification of the lighting and
other equipment (e.g. electric, gas, etc.) and the number of people in each area of the
building.
Obtain sufficient building thermostatic control information to allow specification of the
temperature control strategy for each area of the building.

44
5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 45

Obtain sufficient HVAC operation information to allow specification and scheduling of

the fan systems.

Obtain sufficient central plant information to allow specification and scheduling of the
boilers, chillers and other plant equipment.

5.2.2 *Step 2: *Zone the Building

A building surface is the fundamental element in the building model. In the general sense,
there are two types of surfaces in EnergyPlus. These are:
1. heat transfer surfaces and
2. heat storage surfaces
The first rule of building modeling is, Always define a surface as a heat storage surface
unless it must be defined as a heat transfer surface. Any surface, which is expected to sepa-
rate spaces of significantly different temperatures, must be defined as a heat transfer surface.
Thus, exterior surfaces, such as outside walls, roofs and floors, are heat transfer surfaces.
Interior surfaces (partitions) are heat storage surfaces if they separate spaces maintained
at the same temperature and heat transfer surfaces if they separate spaces maintained at
different temperatures. A discussion of how to define heat transfer and heat storage surfaces
will occur in later steps. In order to correctly zone the building it is necessary only to
distinguish between the two.
A zone is a thermal, not a geometric, concept. A zone is an air volume at a uniform
temperature plus all the heat transfer and heat storage surfaces bounding or inside of that
air volume. EnergyPlus calculates the energy required to maintain each zone at a specified
temperature for each hour of the day. Since EnergyPlus performs a zone heat balance, the
first step in preparing a building description is to break the building into zones. The objective
of this exercise is to define as few zones as possible without significantly compromising the
integrity of the simulation.
Although defining building zones is somewhat of an art, a few general rules will keep the
new simulation user out of trouble. Consider the following figure, which shows the floor plan
of an Adult Education Center.
The question is, How many thermal zones should be used to model this building? The
inexperienced building modeler may be tempted to define each room in the building as a
zone, but the thermal zone is defined as a volume of air at a uniform temperature. The
general rule then is to use the number of fan systems (and radiant systems) not the number
of rooms to determine the number of zones in the building. The minimum number of zones
in a general simulation model will usually be equal to the number of systems serving the
building. The collection of heat transfer and heat storage surfaces defined within each zone
will include all surfaces bounding or inside of the space conditioned by the system.

5.2.3 Zoning Concept 1 - Simple

Complete estimates of the total building load (magnitude only) may be obtained with very
simple models. For example the total building load calculated using a one-zone model of the
Education Center (Figure 5.2) will NOT be significantly different from the total building
46CHAPTER 5. OVERALL SCHEME/METHODOLOGY FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Figure 5.1: Adult Education Center

load calculated using a more detailed model. The distribution of the load within the building
cannot be estimated with the simplified building model, but its magnitude (such as would
be used in sizing the central plant equipment) can be quickly estimated using a very simple
model. For simplicity, assume there is no ground heat transfer; if you want to simulate
ground heat transfer, you should use the slab and/or basement programs as described in the
Auxiliary Programs document.

5.2.4 Zoning Concept 2 - Detailed

A more detailed model will allow you to determine more accurately the actual distribution
of loads/energy within the building. In a more detailed model of the education center,
five systems were designed to serve the Adult Education Center. These systems with the
thermal zones they serve are shown in the table below. The location of each zone is shown
in accompanying figure.

Table 5.1: Zoning the Building by System Type.

System Number System Name CFM m/s Zone Served

1 Four Pipe Fan Coil 3900 19.812 Zone 1
1 Four Pipe Fan Coil 2500 12.7 Zone 2
2 Single Zone Draw Through 1400 7.112 Zone 3
3 Single Zone Draw Through 2250 11.43 Zone 5
5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 47

Table 5.1: Zoning the Building by System Type.

System Number System Name CFM m/s Zone Served

4 Single Zone Draw Through 2450 12.446 Zone 6
5 Unit Heater 185 .9398 Zone 4
5 Unit Heater 41 .20828 Zone 7

Take note of Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 4, and Zone 7. The two important zoning concepts
can be demonstrated with the zoning to reinforce the idea of a thermal zone and encourage
the use of simplified models.
1. Notice that Zones 4 and 7 include two rooms that are not adjacent to one another but
are served by the same system. Because the air temperature in the two spaces is maintained
at the same uniform temperature, the two spaces, though separated spatially, may be defined
as a single zone. For our purposes, we will define them as separate zones.
2. Notice that Zone 1 and Zone 2 are served by the same fan system and could be
defined as a single zone with 7650 cfm of conditioned air supplied to the space. The space
was split into two zones because the designer expected higher solar loads on the South and
West sides of the wing and wanted to examine the distribution as well as the magnitude of
the load in the space.

5.2.5 Step 3: Prepare to Construct the Building Model

Working from blueprints or sketches and following the guidelines in Step 2, the building
zones were determined. It is recommended that the engineer sketch the building with its
zones. Surface dimensions should be included in the sketch. Additional geometric and
surface information is required before an input file describing the building can be constructed.
Specifically the building model must:
1. Determine heat transfer and heat storage surfaces.
2. Define equivalent surfaces.
3. Specify surfaces and subsurfaces (windows, doors, etc.) construction and materials.
4. Compile surface and subsurface information.
By the way, the file for this example, the 1 zone model are contained in your EnergyPlus
installation ExampleFiles\BasicFiles folder.

5.2.5.1 Step 3.1. Determine heat transfer and heat storage surfaces.
The surfaces of the building can be described in any order; grouping surfaces by zone may
help you read the input file. Specifics of the describing surfaces help categorize the surfaces
heat transfer/storage as well as identify the surface construction information.
The details of inputting surfaces are described in the Input/Output Reference document.
The allowable surface types are shown in the following table:
48CHAPTER 5. OVERALL SCHEME/METHODOLOGY FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Figure 5.2: Single Zone Model of the Adult Education Center.

5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 49

Figure 5.3: Thermal Zones in the Education Center

50CHAPTER 5. OVERALL SCHEME/METHODOLOGY FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Table 5.2: Surface types and categorization

Surface Type Applicability

BuildingSurface:DetailedWall, Roof, Ceiling, Floor
FenestrationSurface:Detailed
Window, Door, Glassdoor
InternalMass Areas internal to a zone
Shading:Site:Detailed Shading devices external to the building face (other buildings,
trees, etc.)
Shading:Zone:Detailed Shading devices attached to the building (overhang, fin)

The pieces of the definition that designate BuildingSurface:Detailed surfaces as either

heat transfer or heat storage surfaces are:

A5 , \field Outside Boundary Condition

\required -field
\type choice
\key Surface
\key Zone
\key Outdoors
\key Ground
\key OtherSideCoefficients
\key OtherSideConditionsModel
A6 , \field Outside Boundary Condition Object
\type object -list
\object -list OutFaceEnvNames
\note Non -blank only if the field Outside Boundary Condition is Surface , Zone ,
OtherSideCoefficients ,
\note or OtherSideConditionsModel
\note If Surface , specify name of corresponding surface in adjacent zone or
\note specify current surface name for internal partition separating like zones
\note If Zone , specify the name of the corresponding zone and
\note the program will generate the corresponding interzone surface
\note If OtherSideCoefficients , specify name of SurfaceProperty : OtherSideCoefficients
\note If OtherSideConditionsModel , specify name of SurfaceProperty :
OtherSideConditionsModel
A7 , \field Sun Exposure
\required -field
\type choice
\key SunExposed
\key NoSun
\default SunExposed
A8 , \field Wind Exposure
\required -field
\type choice
\key WindExposed
\key NoWind
\default WindExposed

Note that subsurfaces (windows, doors) on these base surfaces will inherit the base surface
properties listed above. The following examples will use a bit more of the Surface definition
to give context.
Surfaces that specify themselves as the outside boundary condition are ceilings, floors
and partitions that divide temperature-controlled spaces. The program assumes that the
surface temperatures on both sides of the surface are the same. This means that even
though heat may be stored in a partition, ceiling, or floor, no heat flows through it.
5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 51

Heat Storage Surfaces (Use current Surface name for ExteriorEnvironment), e.g.:

BuildingSurface:Detailed ,Zn005:Wall006 , !- Base Surface Name

Wall ,INTERIOR , !- Class and Construction Name
MAINE WING , !- Zone
Surface , Zn005:Wall006 , !- Exterior Conditions and Target
NoSun , !- Solar Exposure
NoWind , !- Wind Exposure
0.5000000 , !- VF to Ground
4, !-Rectangle
57.90000 , 57.79000 , 10.00000 ,
57.90000 , 57.79000 , 0.0000000E+00,
57.90000 , 47.79000 , 0.0000000E+00,
57.90000 , 47.79000 , 10.00000 ;

Some surfaces divide the temperature controlled space from the outside environment.
Surfaces that are both sun and wind exposed (e.g. exterior walls, exposed floors, roofs)
feel the full effect of both solar radiation and outside temperature, and the outside air film
resistance for these surfaces changes with wind speed and wind direction. Surfaces that
are not sun or wind exposed (a wall to an uncontrolled space) are not affected by solar
radiation, wind speed or direction and have a constant outside convective air film resistance.
Heat Transfer Surfaces Exposed to the Outside Environment, such as Exterior Walls,
Roofs, Exposed Floors:

BuildingSurface:Detailed ,Zn005:Wall002 , !- Base Surface Name

Wall ,EXTERIOR , !- Class and Construction Name
MAINE WING , !- Zone
Outdoors ,, !- Exterior Conditions and Target (if applicable)
SunExposed , !- Solar Exposure
WindExposed , !- Wind Exposure
0.5000000 , !- VF to Ground
4, !-Rectangle
77.90000 , 47.79000 , 10.00000 ,
77.90000 , 47.79000 , 0.0000000E+00,
77.90000 , 67.79000 , 0.0000000E+00,
77.90000 , 67.79000 , 10.00000 ;

Surfaces such as basement walls and slab floors separate the space from the earth sur-
rounding the surfaces. Therefore, the outside surface temperatures become the ground tem-
peratures.
Heat Transfer Surfaces in Contact with the Ground, such as Basement Walls or Slab
Floors:

BuildingSurface:Detailed ,Zn004:Flr001 , !- Base Surface Name

Floor ,SLAB FLOOR , !- Class and Construction Name
ARIZONA WING , !- Zone
Ground ,, !- Exterior Conditions and Target (if applicable)
NoSun , !- Solar Exposure
NoWind , !- Wind Exposure
1.000000 , !- VF to Ground
4, !-Rectangle
38.01000 , 8.510000 , 0.0000000E+00,
18.01000 , 8.510000 , 0.0000000E+00,
18.01000 , 28.51000 , 0.0000000E+00,
38.01000 , 28.51000 , 0.0000000E+00;

Other surfaces separate zones that may be at different temperatures. These surface types
allow heat transfer (by conduction through the walls) from a zone at a higher temperature
52CHAPTER 5. OVERALL SCHEME/METHODOLOGY FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

to a zone at a lower temperature. The location of the heat storage surface in the zone is
not important except in specialized solar studies. The surface above (wall to uncontrolled
space) would be more correctly modeled as an interzone surface.
Heat Transfer Surfaces Exposed to Another Zone, such as Interzone walls, ceilings or
floors:
BuildingSurface:Detailed ,Zn005:Wall005 , !- Base Surface Name
Wall ,INTERIOR , !- Class and Construction Name
MAINE WING , !- Zone
Surface ,Zn001:Wall009 , !- Exterior Conditions and Target
NoSun , !- Solar Exposure
NoWind , !- Wind Exposure
0.5000000 , !- VF to Ground
4, !-Rectangle
57.90000 , 47.79000 , 10.00000 ,
57.90000 , 47.79000 , 0.0000000E+00,
67.90000 , 47.79000 , 0.0000000E+00,
67.90000 , 47.79000 , 10.00000 ;

5.2.5.2 Step 3.2. Define equivalent surfaces as desired.

When the building was zoned, our objective was to define as few zones as possible. Now
we would like to extend this objective to include defining as few surfaces as possible with-
out significantly compromising the integrity of the simulation. We reduce the number and
complexity of surfaces in our input file by defining equivalent surfaces.
Before dealing with equivalent surfaces, it is appropriate to take the concept of a thermal
zone one step further. EnergyPlus performs heat balances on individual zone surfaces and on
the zone air. For purposes of the heat transfer calculations, a geometrically correct rendering
of the zone surfaces is not required. The surfaces do not even have to be connected. As long
as the program knows to which thermal zone (mass of air) each surface transfers heat, it
will calculate all heat balances correctly. For example, all heat storage surfaces of the same
construction within a zone may be defined as a single rectangular surface. The size of this
equivalent surface will equal the sum of all the areas of all the heat storage surfaces in the
zone. A few simple rules will further explain what we mean by equivalent surfaces and how
these surfaces may be used. Remember that these are guidelines for optional simplification
of input. Each simplification must be evaluated to determine if it would significantly impact
certain shading, interior solar gains, or daylighting features. The goal is to seek an adequate
level of detail to capture the key features of the building envelope without spending excess
time describing and computing results for details that are insignificant.
1. Define all roofs and floors as rectangles regardless of the shape of the zone. Each
zone may have one rectangular roof and one rectangular floor of a given construction.
2. Define all heat storage surfaces of the same construction within a zone as a single
surface. The size of the single surface is obtained by summing the individual surface areas
exposed to the zone. Thus, if a partition is completely within a zone (both sides of the
partition are exposed to the zone), the area of each side must be added to the area of the
equivalent surface. On the other hand, if the partition separates two zones, the area of only
one side should be added to the equivalent surface.
3. Combine all windows on a given exterior surface into a single window. Usually
each exterior surface should have only one window of each type. Overhangs or other shading
5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 53

devices may require that more windows be specified or combined together. By using the
WindowMaterial:Glazing construction for your glass door, they will be correctly modeled in
EnergyPlus with sunlight transferring into the zone.
The following figure shows the surfaces and subsurfaces required for a one-zone model,
i.e., the education center. Since there were two types of partitions in the building, two heat
storage surfaces (internal mass) of different constructions were defined.

Figure 5.4: Simplifications Using Equivalent Surfaces

5.2.5.3 Step 3.3. Specify construction elements

BLAST, DOE-2 and other programs often have libraries of constructions, schedules, and
other aspects of simulating the building. In EnergyPlus, we have a special set of files in the
DataSets folder that represent many facets of building simulation. Data sets are usually IDF
snippets or macro files. For constructions, using the guidelines in the ASHRAE Handbook of
Fundamentals (2005), the file ASHRAE_2005_HOF_Materials.idf contains materials and
constructions from Chapters 30 and 25. Since Chapter 30 discusses heating and cooling loads,
it includes constructions for light, medium and heavy weight buildings these constructions
are represented in the dataset file. For the education center, medium constructions are
used. For the windows, we will use the Double Pane Window from the previous exercise.
54CHAPTER 5. OVERALL SCHEME/METHODOLOGY FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Table 5.3: Building Elements

Type (1) Name (2) Material (3)

Wall Medium Exterior Wall M01 100mm brick
I02 50mm insulation board
F04 Wall air space resistance
G01a 19mm gypsum board
Window Double Pane Window Clear 6MM
Air 3MM
Clear 6MM
Partition Medium/Heavy Partitions G01a 19mm gypsum board
M01 100mm brick
M05 200mm concrete block
G01a 19mm gypsum board
Partition Medium Partitions G01a 19mm gypsum board
F04 Wall air space resistance
G01a 19mm gypsum board
Wall Heavy/Medium Partitions G01a 19mm gypsum board
M05 200mm concrete block
M01 100mm brick
G01a 19mm gypsum board
Roof Medium Roof/Ceiling M14a 100mm heavyweight concrete
F05 Ceiling air space resistance
F16 Acoustic tile
Floor Medium Floor F16 Acoustic tile
F05 Ceiling air space resistance
M14a 100mm heavyweight concrete

Notes:
(1) The surface type is a wall, floor, roof, window or door.

(2) User supplies name for the element. For this example use name from the DataSet:
ASHRAE_2005_HOF_Materials.idf. Similarly, the window was constructed
from the Windows.idf dataset.

(3) Materials full name is as found in the ASHRAE_2005_HOF_Materials.idf dataset.

5.2.5.4 Step 3.4. Compile surface and subsurface information.

Building information:
5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 55

Building North Axis: This syntax simplifies building geometry specification by designat-
ing one wall of the building as the buildings north pointing axis. The building model North
axis is measured from true (compass) North. Surface facing angles (see surface information
below) are then specified relative to the building north axis. The North Axis entry in the
Input Output Reference (duplicated here) illustrates specification of the building north axis.

Figure 5.5: Illustration of Building North Axis

Zone information:

1. Wall height: In a simple model, one should make all the walls the same height. Then,
the simple, 1 zone model can entirely enclose the space. In more complex models, you
may resize each wall accordingly.

Surface information:
56CHAPTER 5. OVERALL SCHEME/METHODOLOGY FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

1. Base Surface Type: Heat Transfer/Heat Storage Surfaces may be of the following
types: wall, floor, roof, internal mass, or subsurface
2. Construction: The type of construction of the surface (see previous table).
Subsurface information:
1. Subsurfaces are Windows, Doors or GlassDoors
2. Area: Area of the subsurface.
3. Reveal: For windows only, the distance it is inset from the outside surface of a wall.
For simplicity, put all the windows in the same physical plane as the wall they are on.
For the single zone model, the following figure is a schematic representation of a one
zone representation. The figure shows the length of all base surfaces and the areas of all
subsurfaces (windows). Doors are shown and may be entered, if desired. In the table
(Table 5.4), the surfaces are numbered counter-clockwise around the zone beginning at the
lower left corner of the figure. This table is the minimum required zone information compiled
by the user. A few simple conventions should be followed to facilitate the construction of
zone information tables:
1. Number all surfaces in order counter-clockwise around the zone.
2. Keep the subsurfaces with the base surface on which they are located.
3. Specify lengths for base surfaces and areas for subsurfaces and internal mass.
4. Specify the roof and floor as rectangles of the correct size.
Full Building 1 Zone model

Table 5.4: Compilation of Surface Information for the

One Zone Model

Surface type construction Length {m} Area {m }

1 exterior wall Medium Exte- 15.25
rior Wall
2 window Double Pane 5.62
Window
3 exterior wall Medium Exte- 4.9
rior Wall
4 window Double Pane 3.9
Window
5 exterior wall Medium Exte- 34.44
rior Wall
6 window Double Pane 33.7
Window
7 exterior wall Medium Exte- 13.2
rior Wall
8 window Double Pane 9.44
Window
9 exterior wall Medium Exte- 10.4
rior Wall
5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 57

Table 5.4: Compilation of Surface Information for the

One Zone Model

Surface type construction Length {m} Area {m }

10 window Double Pane 7.58
Window
11 exterior wall Medium Exte- 20
rior Wall
12 window Double Pane 10.5
Window
13 exterior wall Medium Exte- 12
rior Wall
14 window Double Pane 7.58
Window
15 exterior wall Medium Exte- 20
rior Wall
16 window Double Pane 17.66
Window
17 exterior wall Medium Exte- 6.1
rior Wall
18 window Double Pane 4.7
Window
19 exterior wall Medium Exte- 3.1
rior Wall
20 exterior wall Medium Exte- 6.1
rior Wall
21 window Double Pane 3.71
Window
22 exterior wall Medium Exte- 23
rior Wall
23 window Double Pane 19.39
Window
24 exterior wall Medium Exte- 15.24
rior Wall
25 window Double Pane 7.8
Window
26 exterior wall Medium Exte- 38
rior Wall
27 window Double Pane 31
Window
58CHAPTER 5. OVERALL SCHEME/METHODOLOGY FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

Table 5.4: Compilation of Surface Information for the

One Zone Model

Surface type construction Length {m} Area {m }

28 roof Medium Roof/- Equivalent area 1250.1
Ceiling (square)
29 floor Medium Floor Equivalent area 1250.1
(square)
30 internal mass Medium Parti- 956.9
tions
31 internal mass Medium/Heavy 1757.7
Partitions

The column headings in the previous table have the following meanings:
Type: A shortened notation for the surface type in EnergyPlus to differentiate between
heat storage surfaces and various types of heat transfer surfaces.
Construction: A name for the surface construction types.
Length: The length of base surfaces (i.e. Exterior Walls).
Area: The area of subsurfaces (windows), roofs, floors.

5.2.6 Step 4: Compile Internal Space Gain Data

People, lights, equipment, outside air infiltration and ventilation all constitute internal
gains for the thermal zone. These gains are described to EnergyPlus as a design or peak
level with a schedule that specifies a fraction of the peak for each hour. The peak level is
calculated by the user. Table 5.5. Internal Gain Data shows the internal loads for a single
zone model of Ft. Monmouth and the schedule named to specify the hourly load.

Table 5.5: Internal Gain Data

Zone Gain Type Size Schedule

1 People 205 Office occupancy
Lights 26360 W Office lighting
ZoneInfiltration .75 m /sec Constant

The column headings in the table have the following meanings:

Gain Type: The code used to differentiate between various types of internal gains.
Size: The peak load. This is the actual size of the load for every hour that the schedule
specifies 100%.
Schedule: The hourly schedule that specifies the percentage of peak load for each hour
of the day.
HVAC: Using the Compact HVAC models, purchased air can be used to calculate the
5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 59

Figure 5.6: Schematic of One Zone Model with Exterior Wall length and Window Areas.
60CHAPTER 5. OVERALL SCHEME/METHODOLOGY FOR RUNNING ENERGYPLUS

energy needs of the building.

As the following figure shows, the equivalent area floor/roof does not fit in the building
perimeter. As an exercise, you might reconfigure both floor and roof to be a polygonal shape
and compare results.

Figure 5.7: Full Building - Adult Education Center

As an adjunct to the previous schematic layout for the one zone approach, the following
figure shows the same building but with IP units:
5.2. A METHODOLOGY FOR USING ENERGYPLUS 61

Figure 5.8: Schematic for One Zone Building - IP Units

Chapter 6

Tutorial Exercise 2

The following example is taken directly from the training course Introduction to Energy-
Plus, Exercise 2. Of course, it is presented here without the benefit of classroom pre-
sentation and discussion but when followed step by step, should provide an introduction of
actually using EnergyPlus.

6.1 Unitary System and VAV using HVACTemplate

Inputs
6.1.1 Overview
Rectangular single story building with 5 occupied zones and a ceiling plenum
Packaged DX cooling with gas heat serving one zone
VAV with reheat and return plenum serving the other 4 zones
All equipment autosized using summer and winter design days

6.1.2 Details of the Exercise

6.1.2.1 Building Description
Single floor rectangular building 30.5 m (100 ft) by 15.2 m (50 ft) by 3m (10 ft) high.
Building is oriented with the long axis running east-west.
Floor Area 463.6 m2 (5000 ft2).
5 occupied zones - 4 exterior, 1 interior, zone height 2.4 m (8 ft). Exterior zone depth
is 3.7 m (12 ft).
1 plenum zone 0.6 m (2 ft) high.
Windows on all 4 facades

62
6.1. UNITARY SYSTEM AND VAV USING HVACTEMPLATE INPUTS 63

Figure 6.1: Schematic for Exercise 2.

South and north facades have glass doors.

South facing glass is shaded by overhangs.

Walls are wood shingle over plywood, insulation, and gypsum board.

Roof is gravel built up roof with mineral board insulation and plywood sheathing.

Floor slab is 0.1 m (4 in) heavy concrete.

Windows and glass doors are double pane Low-e clear glass with argon gap.

Window to wall ratio is approximately 0.3.

Lighting is 16 W/m2 (1.5 W/ft2).

Office electric equipment is 10.8 W/m2 (1.0 W/ft2).

1 occupant per 9.3 m2 (100 ft2) of floor area.

Infiltration is 0.25 air changes per hour (always on, proportional to wind speed).

* Refers to specific glass type included in the EnergyPlus datasets directory

(WindowGlassMaterials.idf)
64 CHAPTER 6. TUTORIAL EXERCISE 2

6.1.2.2 Space Conditioning

Heating setpoints: 21.1C (70F) occupied, 12.8C (55F) unoccupied

Cooling setpoints: 23.9C (75F) occupied, 40.0C (104F, system off) unoccupied

Plenum zone not controlled

6.1.2.3 Environment
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Design Days: Summer, Winter

Annual Simulation Period: Jan 1 Dec 31

Ground Temperatures: from Slab preprocessor (20.4 to 23.0 C)

6.2 Instructions
6.2.1 Exercise 2A. Add Unitary System with DX Cooling and Gas
Heating (Furnace) Serving a Single Zone
Objective: Learn how to describe a thermostat and unitary equipment using HVACTemplate
objects.
1) Open Exercise2.idf and save it as Exercise2A.idf. (Exercise2.idf contains the building
envelope, internal loads, and some extra schedules to support the HVAC system descriptions
which will be added in this Exercise.)
2) Add a HVACTemplate:Thermostat object to define the thermostat setpoints for
this simulation.

Choose a name for the thermostat. This name will be referenced in the next step.

For heating setpoints, use pre-defined schedule named Office Heating Setpoints.

For cooling setpoints, use pre-defined schedule named Office Cooling Setpoints.

3) Add a HVACTemplate:Zone:Unitary object serving the NORTH PERIMETER

zone. Choose a name for the air handling system which will be added in Step 4. Use the
thermostat name from step 2 for the thermostat field. Retain the defaults for the remaining
fields.
4) Add a HVACTemplate:System:Unitary object. The name of this system object
must be the same name used in the zone object for Air Handling System Name field (See
Step 3). Retain the defaults for all fields except the following:

Availability Schedule = Office HVAC (predefined)

Control Zone Name or Thermostat Location = NORTH PERIMETER

6.2. INSTRUCTIONS 65

Supply Fan Operating Mode Schedule Name = Continuous

Heating Coil Type = Gas

Minimum Outdoor Air Schedule Name = Office Minimum OA (predefined)

5) Add a Sizing:Parameters object and set the sizing factor to 1.2 (for 20% oversizing).
6) Edit the SimulationControl object and set the Zone and System sizing flags to
Yes.
7) Run the simulation and review output files, especially:

err, there will be some warnings about meters that do no exist and the ABUPS report
not being a full year. These will go away as more features are added and an annual
run is simulated.

DXF , drawing of building surfaces. (Try selecting the Southwest Isometric named
view, then see how each zone is a separate drawing layer. In Voloview open the View
-> Layers dialog. Click on the light bulbs to toggle display of each zone. In TrueView
click on the Layer Properties Manager toolbar button. To toggle display of a layer,
single-click a layer light bulb, then click apply.)

SVG, block diagram of the HVAC system components. (HINT: right-click in the draw-
ing and read the Help to learn how to navigate in the SVG viewer.)

Main Results File (csv) and Meter File (Meter.csv).

eio, zone and system sizing results

Add output variables to report operation of the system (furnace) fan, heating coil, and
cooling coil. Reference the RDD output file for variable names.

8) Re-run the simulation and review results again.

Note during hour 7 of the summer design day that NORTH PERIMETER:Zone/Sys
Sensible Heating RateW is nonzero, but the heating coil is off and the DX cooling
coil shows a load. Why? This report variable reports the impact of the system on
the zone (not the zones demand for heating or cooling), averaged over the hour. The
system fan is scheduled on at 6 a.m., but the outside air dampers are closed. The
zone is not warm enough from the night to require cooling, so the circulating fan heat
warms the zone slightly for a portion of the hour until the zone temperature exceeds
the cooling setpoint and the DX coil comes on for the remainder of the hour. If the
economizer were active, this would not occur.
66 CHAPTER 6. TUTORIAL EXERCISE 2

6.2.2 Exercise 2B. Add VAV System with Reheat Serving Four
Zones with Chiller and Boiler Plant
Objective: Learn how to describe a VAV system with central plant using HVACTemplate
objects.
1) Save Exercise2A.idf as Exercise2B.idf.
2) Add a HVACTemplate:System:VAV object. Retain the defaults for all fields
except the following:

Air Handling System Name = <assign a name>

System Availability Schedule = Office HVAC (predefined)

Cooling Coil Design Setpoint = 13C (55.4F)

Minimum Outdoor Air Schedule Name = Office Minimum OA (predefined)

Economizer Type = FixedDryBulb

Return Plenum Name = PLENUM

3) Add four HVACTemplate:Zone:VAV objects serving the four remaining zones

(South Perimeter, East Perimeter, West Perimeter, and Core). Retain the defaults for all
fields except the following:

Specify the same air handler name added in Step 2 (use the dropdown list)

Specify the same thermostat control added in Exercise 2A Step 2 (again, use the
dropdown list).

Supply Air Minimum Flow Fraction = 0.2

Reheat Coil Type = Hot Water

Heating Damper Action = Reverse

HINT: Define one HVACTemplate:Zone:VAV object, make the above changes to

defaults, then press Dup Obj three times to duplicate the object, then edit the
remaining three zone names.

4) Add a HVACTemplate:Plant:ChilledWaterLoop object and assign a

name. Retain the defaults for all fields except the following:

Condenser Water Temperature Control Type = Specified Setpoint

6.2. INSTRUCTIONS 67

5) Add a HVACTemplate:Plant:Chiller object, type Electric Reciprocating Chiller

with a nominal COP of 3.6, water cooled.
6) Add a HVACTemplate:Plant:Tower object, type Two Speed.
7) Add a HVACTemplate:Plant:HotWaterLoop object and assign a name. Retain
the defaults for all fields.
8) Add a natural gas fired hot water boiler using HVACTemplate:Plant:Boiler.
9) Run the simulation, add desired report variables, and re-run the simulation. Review
results and compare with results from Exercise 2A:

Note how the heating and cooling rates for the NORTH PERIMETER zone are smaller
than before. Why?

Review the SVG drawing to see the components of the VAV system and water loops.

Browse the expidf file in a text editor (or open in IDF Editor from File, Open, setting
file type to expidf) to see the full detailed description of the HVAC systems using native
EnergyPlus objects (the expanded result of the HVACTemplate preprocessor).

6.2.3 Exercise 2C. Annual Simulation

Objective: Learn how to schedule report variables and create a monthly table report.
1) Save Exercise2B.idf as Exercise2C.idf.
2) Edit the SimulationControl object to turn off the design day simulations by setting
Run Simulation for Sizing Periods to No and turn on the weather file (annual) simulation
by setting Run Simulation for Weather File Run Periods to Yes..
3) Edit existing Output:Variable and Output:Meter objects and change the report-
ing frequency from Hourly to Monthly.
4) Locate the Output:Variable object for Zone/Sys Air Temp and duplicate it. Edit
the new object and add a schedule Office Occupancy 2. This object will report zone
temperatures averaged only during occupied periods (when Office Occupancy 2 is greater
than zero). The original instance of this report variable will average the zone temperatures
over all hours.
5) Add a new Output:Table:Monthly object:

Name = Zone Temperature Report

Open the rdd output file for Exercise2B in the text editor and find the following report
variable names to copy and paste into the fields of the Report:Table:Monthly object in
IDF Editor. Variable name and aggregation type are listed in pairs.

Zone Mean Air Temperature, SumOrAverage

Zone Mean Air Temperature, Maximum

Zone Mean Air Temperature, Minimum

Zone People Number of Occupants, HoursPositive

68 CHAPTER 6. TUTORIAL EXERCISE 2

Zone Mean Air Temperature, SumOrAverageDuringHoursShown

Zone Mean Air Temperature, MaximumDuringHoursShown

Zone Mean Air Temperature, MinimumDuringHoursShown

6) Edit Output:Table:SummaryReports to add the Equipment Summary report.

7) Select Chicago TMY2 weather file and run the simulation.
8) Review outputs. (Note the ABUPS report in the HTML file will now show a full year
of results.) Especially review the Zone Temperatures table report in the HTML file. There
will be a warning regarding Output:Table:Monthly, because there are no people in the
PLENUM zone; this is normal.

6.2.4 Solution: Exercise 2

This is a listing of new objects added in this Exercise.
Try not to look at this section until you have completed the Exercise.

6.2.4.1 Solution: Exercise 2A

HVACTemplate:Thermostat ,
Office Thermostat , !- Thermostat Name
Office Heating Setpoints ,!- Thermostat Heating Setpoint Schedule
, !- Thermostat Constant Heating Setpoint {C}
Office Cooling Setpoints ,!- Thermostat Cooling Setpoint Schedule
; !- Thermostat Constant Cooling Setpoint {C}

HVACTemplate:Zone:Unitary ,
NORTH PERIMETER , !- Zone Name
North Zone Unitary , !- Air Handling System Name
Office Thermostat , !- Thermostat Name
autosize , !- Zone Supply Air Max Flow Rate {m3/s}
, !- Zone Supply Air Sizing Factor
Flow/Person , !- Zone Outside Air Method
0.00944 , !- Zone Outside Air Flow Rate per Person {m3/s}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone Area {m3/s-m2}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone {m3/s}
, !- Zone Supply Plenum Name
, !- Zone Return Plenum Name
None , !- Baseboard Heating Type
, !- Baseboard Heating Availability Schedule
autosize; !- Baseboard Heating Capacity {W}

HVACTemplate:System:Unitary ,
North Zone Unitary , !- Air Handling System Name
Office HVAC , !- System Availability Schedule
NORTH PERIMETER , !- Control Zone Name or Thermostat Location
autosize , !- Supply Fan Max Flow Rate {m3/s}
Continuous , !- Supply Fan Operating Mode Schedule Name
0.7, !- Supply Fan Total Efficiency
600, !- Supply Fan Delta Pressure {Pa}
0.9, !- Supply Fan Motor Efficiency
1, !- Supply Fan Motor in Air Stream Fraction
Single -speed DX , !- Cooling Coil Type
, !- Cooling Coil Availability Schedule
autosize , !- Cooling Coil Capacity {W}
6.2. INSTRUCTIONS 69

autosize , !- Cooling Coil Rated SHR

3, !- Cooling Coil Rated COP
Gas , !- Heating Coil Type
, !- Heating Coil Availability Schedule
autosize , !- Heating Coil Capacity {W}
0.8, !- Gas Heating Coil Efficiency
, !- Gas Heating Coil Parasitic Electric Load {W}
autosize , !- Maximum Outside Air Flow Rate {m3/s}
autosize , !- Minimum Outside Air Flow Rate {m3/s}
Office Minimum OA , !- Minimum Outside Air Schedule Name
NoEconomizer , !- Economizer Type
NoLockout , !- Economizer Lockout
, !- Economizer Upper Temperature Limit {C}
, !- Economizer Lower Temperature Limit {C}
, !- Economizer Upper Enthalpy Limit {J/kg}
, !- Supply Plenum Name
, !- Return Plenum Name
BlowThrough , !- Supply Fan Placement
StayOff , !- Night Cycle Control
, !- Night Cycle Control Zone Name
None , !- Heat Recovery Type
0.7, !- Sensible Heat Recovery Effectiveness
0.65, !- Latent Heat Recovery Effectiveness
, !- Dehumidification Control Type
, !- Dehumidification Setpoint {percent}
, !- Humidifier Type
, !- Humidifier Availability Schedule
, !- Humidifier Rated Capacity {m3/s}
, !- Humidifier Rated Electric Power {W}
, !- Humidifier Control Zone Name
; !- Humidifier Setpoint {percent}

Sizing:Parameters ,
1.2; !- sizing factor

Output:Variable ,*, Furnace Fan Part -Load Ratio ,hourly;

Output:Variable ,*,DX Cooling Coil Runtime Fraction ,hourly;
Output:Variable ,*, Heating Coil Runtime Fraction ,hourly;

6.2.4.2 Solution: Exercise 2B

HVACTemplate:System:VAV ,
VAV with Reheat , !- Air Handling System Name
Office HVAC , !- System Availability Schedule
autosize , !- Supply Fan Max Flow Rate {m3/s}
autosize , !- Supply Fan Min Flow Rate {m3/s}
0.7, !- Supply Fan Total Efficiency
1000, !- Supply Fan Delta Pressure {Pa}
0.9, !- Supply Fan Motor Efficiency
1, !- Supply Fan Motor in Air Stream Fraction
ChilledWater , !- Cooling Coil Type
, !- Cooling Coil Availability Schedule
, !- Cooling Coil Setpoint Schedule
13, !- Cooling Coil Design Setpoint {C}
None , !- Heating Coil Type
, !- Heating Coil Availability Schedule
, !- Heating Coil Setpoint Schedule
10.0, !- Heating Coil Design Setpoint {C}
0.8, !- Gas Heating Coil Efficiency
, !- Gas Heating Coil Parasitic Electric Load {W}
None , !- Preheat Coil Type
, !- Preheat Coil Availability Schedule
, !- Preheat Coil Setpoint Schedule
7.2, !- Preheat Coil Design Setpoint {C}
70 CHAPTER 6. TUTORIAL EXERCISE 2

0.8, !- Gas Preheat Coil Efficiency

, !- Gas Preheat Coil Parasitic Electric Load {W}
autosize , !- Maximum Outside Air Flow Rate {m3/s}
autosize , !- Minimum Outside Air Flow Rate {m3/s}
ProportionalMinimum , !- Minimum Outside Air Control Type
Office Minimum OA , !- Minimum Outside Air Schedule Name
FixedDryBulb , !- Economizer Type
NoLockout , !- Economizer Lockout
, !- Economizer Upper Temperature Limit {C}
, !- Economizer Lower Temperature Limit {C}
, !- Economizer Upper Enthalpy Limit {J/kg}
, !- Supply Plenum Name
PLENUM , !- Return Plenum Name
DrawThrough , !- Supply Fan Placement
InletVaneDampers , !- Supply Fan Part -Load Power Coefficients
StayOff , !- Night Cycle Control
, !- Night Cycle Control Zone Name
None , !- Heat Recovery Type
0.7, !- Sensible Heat Recovery Effectiveness
0.65, !- Latent Heat Recovery Effectiveness
None , !- Cooling Coil Setpoint Reset Type
None , !- Heating Coil Setpoint Reset Type
, !- Dehumidification Control Type
, !- Dehumidification Control Zone Name
, !- Dehumidification Setpoint {percent}
, !- Humidifier Type
, !- Humidifier Availability Schedule
, !- Humidifier Rated Capacity {m3/s}
, !- Humidifier Rated Electric Power {W}
, !- Humidifier Control Zone Name
; !- Humidifier Setpoint {percent}

HVACTemplate:Zone:VAV ,
SOUTH PERIMETER , !- Zone Name
VAV with Reheat , !- Air Handling System Name
Office Thermostat , !- Thermostat Name
autosize , !- Zone Supply Air Max Flow Rate {m3/s}
, !- Zone Supply Air Sizing Factor
0.2, !- Zone Supply Air Min Flow Fraction
Flow/Person , !- Zone Outside Air Method
0.00944 , !- Zone Outside Air Flow Rate per Person {m3/s}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone Area {m3/s-m2}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone {m3/s}
HotWater , !- Reheat Coil Type
, !- Reheat Coil Availability Schedule
Reverse , !- Zone Damper Heating Action
, !- Zone Supply Plenum Name
, !- Zone Return Plenum Name
None , !- Baseboard Heating Type
, !- Baseboard Heating Availability Schedule
autosize; !- Baseboard Heating Capacity {W}

HVACTemplate:Zone:VAV ,
EAST PERIMETER , !- Zone Name
VAV with Reheat , !- Air Handling System Name
Office Thermostat , !- Thermostat Name
autosize , !- Zone Supply Air Max Flow Rate {m3/s}
, !- Zone Supply Air Sizing Factor
0.2, !- Zone Supply Air Min Flow Fraction
Flow/Person , !- Zone Outside Air Method
0.00944 , !- Zone Outside Air Flow Rate per Person {m3/s}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone Area {m3/s-m2}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone {m3/s}
HotWater , !- Reheat Coil Type
, !- Reheat Coil Availability Schedule
Reverse , !- Zone Damper Heating Action
6.2. INSTRUCTIONS 71

, !- Zone Supply Plenum Name

, !- Zone Return Plenum Name
None , !- Baseboard Heating Type
, !- Baseboard Heating Availability Schedule
autosize; !- Baseboard Heating Capacity {W}

HVACTemplate:Zone:VAV ,
WEST PERIMETER , !- Zone Name
VAV with Reheat , !- Air Handling System Name
Office Thermostat , !- Thermostat Name
autosize , !- Zone Supply Air Max Flow Rate {m3/s}
, !- Zone Supply Air Sizing Factor
0.2, !- Zone Supply Air Min Flow Fraction
Flow/Person , !- Zone Outside Air Method
0.00944 , !- Zone Outside Air Flow Rate per Person {m3/s}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone Area {m3/s-m2}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone {m3/s}
HotWater , !- Reheat Coil Type
, !- Reheat Coil Availability Schedule
Reverse , !- Zone Damper Heating Action
, !- Zone Supply Plenum Name
, !- Zone Return Plenum Name
None , !- Baseboard Heating Type
, !- Baseboard Heating Availability Schedule
autosize; !- Baseboard Heating Capacity {W}

HVACTemplate:Zone:VAV ,
CORE , !- Zone Name
VAV with Reheat , !- Air Handling System Name
Office Thermostat , !- Thermostat Name
autosize , !- Zone Supply Air Max Flow Rate {m3/s}
, !- Zone Supply Air Sizing Factor
0.2, !- Zone Supply Air Min Flow Fraction
Flow/Person , !- Zone Outside Air Method
0.00944 , !- Zone Outside Air Flow Rate per Person {m3/s}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone Area {m3/s-m2}
0.0, !- Zone Outside Air Flow per Zone {m3/s}
HotWater , !- Reheat Coil Type
, !- Reheat Coil Availability Schedule
Reverse , !- Zone Damper Heating Action
, !- Zone Supply Plenum Name
, !- Zone Return Plenum Name
None , !- Baseboard Heating Type
, !- Baseboard Heating Availability Schedule
autosize; !- Baseboard Heating Capacity {W}

HVACTemplate:Plant:ChilledWaterLoop ,
Chilled Water Plant , !- Plant Loop Name
, !- Pump Schedule
Intermittent , !- Pump Control Type
Default , !- Chiller Plant Operation Scheme Type
, !- Chiller Plant Operation Scheme Name
, !- Chilled Water Setpoint Schedule
7.22, !- Chilled Water Design Setpoint {C}
ConstantPrimaryNoSecondary , !- Chilled Water Pump Configuration
179352 , !- Primary Chilled Water Pump Rated Head {Pa}
179352 , !- Secondary Chilled Water Pump Rated Head {Pa}
Default , !- Condenser Plant Operation Scheme Type
, !- Condenser Plant Operation Scheme List Name
SpecifiedSetpoint , !- Condenser Water Temperature Control Type
, !- Condenser Water Setpoint Schedule
29.4, !- Condenser Water Design Setpoint {C}
179352 , !- Condenser Water Pump Rated Head {Pa}
None , !- Chilled Water Setpoint Reset Type
12.2, !- Chilled Water Setpoint at Outdoor Dry Bulb Low {C}
72 CHAPTER 6. TUTORIAL EXERCISE 2

15.6, !- Chilled Water Reset Outdoor Dry Bulb Low {C}

6.7, !- Chilled Water Setpoint at Outdoor Dry Bulb High {C}
26.7; !- Chilled Water Reset Outdoor Dry Bulb High {C}

HVACTemplate:Plant:Chiller ,
Chiller 1, !- Chiller Name
ElectricReciprocatingChiller , !- Chiller Type
autosize , !- Capacity {W}
3.6, !- COP {W/W}
WaterCooled , !- Condenser Type
; !- Priority

HVACTemplate:Plant:Tower ,
Tower 1, !- Tower Name
TwoSpeed , !- Tower Type
autosize , !- High -Speed Nominal Capacity {W}
autosize , !- High -Speed Fan Power {W}
autosize , !- Low -Speed Nominal Capacity {W}
autosize , !- Low -Speed Fan Power {W}
autosize , !- Free Convection Capacity {W}
; !- Priority

HVACTemplate:Plant:HotWaterLoop ,
Hot Water Plant , !- Plant Loop Name
, !- Pump Schedule
Intermittent , !- Pump Control Type
Default , !- Hot Water Plant Operation Scheme Type
, !- Hot Water Plant Operation Scheme List Name
, !- Hot Water Setpoint Schedule
82, !- Hot Water Design Setpoint {C}
ConstantFlow , !- Hot Water Pump Configuration
179352 , !- Hot Water Pump Rated Head {Pa}
None , !- Hot Water Setpoint Reset Type
82.2, !- Hot Water Setpoint at Outdoor Dry Bulb Low {C}
-6.7, !- Hot Water Reset Outdoor Dry Bulb Low {C}
65.6, !- Hot Water Setpoint at Outdoor Dry Bulb High {C}
10; !- Hot Water Reset Outdoor Dry Bulb High {C}

HVACTemplate:Plant:Boiler ,
Boiler 1, !- Boiler Name
HotWaterBoiler , !- Boiler Type
autosize , !- Capacity {W}
0.8, !- Efficiency
NaturalGas , !- Fuel Type
; !- Priority

Output:Variable ,*,Damper Position ,hourly;

Output:Variable ,*, Chiller Evap Heat Trans Rate ,hourly;
Output:Variable ,*, Chiller COP ,hourly;
Output:Variable ,*,Boiler Heating Output Rate ,hourly;
Output:Variable ,*,Tower Heat Transfer ,hourly;

6.2.4.3 Exercise 2C

Output:Variable ,*,Zone/Sys Air Temperature ,monthly ,Office Occupancy 2;

Output:Table:Monthly ,
Zone Temperature Report , !- Name
2, !- DigitsAfterDecimal
Zone Mean Air Temperature , !- VariableOrMeterName01
6.2. INSTRUCTIONS 73

SumOrAverage , !- AggregationType01
Zone Mean Air Temperature , !- VariableOrMeterName02
Maximum , !- AggregationType02
Zone Mean Air Temperature , !- VariableOrMeterName03
Minimum , !- AggregationType03
Zone People Number of Occupants , !- VariableOrMeterName04
HoursPositive , !- AggregationType04
Zone Mean Air Temperature , !- VariableOrMeterName05
SumOrAverageDuringHoursShown , !- AggregationType05
Zone Mean Air Temperature , !- VariableOrMeterName06
MaximumDuringHoursShown , !- AggregationType06
Zone Mean Air Temperature , !- VariableOrMeterName07
MinimumDuringHoursShown ; !- AggregationType07
Chapter 7

IDF Editor Brief Introduction

EnergyPlus has several options for the user to create input files. For the purposes of this
document, we will describe briefly the workings of the IDF Editor that is supplied with the
EnergyPlus Installation. The IDF Editor is a simple, intelligent editor that reads the
EnergyPlus Data Dictionary (IDD) and allows creation/revision of EnergyPlus Input Files
(IDF). It can be run from a shortcut in the main EnergyPlus directory (created as part of
the install) or directly from EP-Launch.
Full details of the IDF Editor can be found in the Auxiliary Programs document. IDD
Conventions (to be able to read the IDD) are found in the Input Output Reference document.
EnergyPlus standard units are described in several places, including later in this document.
IDF Editor is an optional component of the EnergyPlus installation. For users who want
a simple way of creating or editing EnergyPlus input data files (IDF), IDF Editor provides
this service. The IDF Editor does not check inputs for validity, although some numeric
fields are highlighted if out of range and some text fields are highlighted if they contain an
invalid reference. For instructions and rules that must be followed when creating an IDF file
the user should refer to the Input/Output Reference document.

7.0.1 Start IDF Editor

IDF Editor should be located in the EnergyPlus\PreProcessor\IDFEditor directory where
you installed EnergyPlus. By double clicking on the IDF Editor icon you will get a screen
similar to the one shown above. IDF Editor works in conjunction with the current EnergyPlus
Input Data Directory (IDD) file that resides in the directory where EnergyPlus is installed.
Another way to start the IDF Editor is from EP-Launch. Multiple IDF files can be opened
at once.

7.0.2 Creating or Selecting an Input Data File

Creating a new input data file or selecting an existing input data file can be accomplished
either through use of the File menu on the menu bar at the top of the screen or through use
of the New File icon button or Open File icon button on the tool bar.

74
 75

Figure 7.1: IDF Editor Screen.

76 CHAPTER 7. IDF EDITOR BRIEF INTRODUCTION

7.0.3 Class List

The class list shows how the items for the IDF are grouped. This class list follows the Data
Dictionary (IDD) description. Select a class from the list by clicking on and highlighting the
class. The field to the left of the selected class in the Class List will either contain [] to
indicate that this class has no objects in the IDF file or it will contain a number like [0003]
to indicate the number of times the object currently appears in the IDF file. For example,
for the BuildingSurface:Detailed class selected in the screen above under the Thermal Zone
Description/Geometry group, there are 40 objects in the IDF file. The details for these 40
objects or any new object that is defined are displayed in columns within the grid. Each
object is made up of fields and can be used to further define the object. Any units attached
to each field are shown in the second column. You may need to scroll down the field list
or maximize the application to see all of the fields. Likewise, you may need to scroll to the
right of the main grid to see other objects.
Options under the view menu can change how you use the Class List. To display only
classes that contain objects select the show classes with objects only option on the View
menu. You can also toggle this feature on and off with CTRL+L. If the file is empty and
has no objects, this toggle does not impact the display.
The Show Quick Select Dropdowns view menu option adds two new input fields to
the main screen. The input fields can be used to go quickly to different classes in the main
list of classes. By typing in the top input field, the group that start with those letters are
displayed. After selecting one and pressing the tab button, classes in that group are shown
and by typing the first few letters, you can easily select a specific class. Pressing tab again
displays that class and it objects. This method allow for quick selection of classes if you
remember the group name and class name.

7.0.4 Changing Values

By clicking and highlighting a value within an object, several things happen:
1) Any user comments from the IDF file will be displayed in the Comments from IDF
portion of the screen
2) Any notes contained in the IDD for this input field will be displayed in the Expla-
nation of Keyword portion of the screen
3) The value can be edited. Depending on the field, a drop down list may display the
default value, maximum and minimum, or other keywords that can be used with the field.
4) Numeric fields that can be autosized will include autosize as a selection in the drop
down list.
5) Some numeric fields have a maximum and/or minimum value specified in the IDD.
If the value entered is outside this range, the cell will be highlighted in pale orange.
6) For values that are names of nodes, a new dialog box titled Edit or Select Node
Name can be shown when the small button is pressed that is on the right side in each node
name cell.
 77

7.0.5 Working with Objects

To delete an object, first click on any value for the object and then click on the Del Obj
button. To add a new object, click on the New Obj button and a new object column with
fields set to blanks, zeros, or default values will be added to the far right of the grid. The
Dup Obj button is similar to New Obj, but copies the values of the fields of the currently
selected object. Copying and pasting an object or groups of objects is also possible using
the Copy Obj and Paste Obj buttons. These allow objects to be copied between files
are also good for copying from files in the DataSets subdirectory. (Also see the Edit menu
to perform these functions.)

7.0.6 File Menu

The File menu can be used for creating or selecting input files just like the buttons on the
IDF Editor screen (see the Creating or Selecting an Input File section above). In addition,
the File menu is used to save a file or exit the IDF Editor. More than one file can be opened
at a time.
The File, Save Options screen is shown below.

Figure 22. IDF Editor Save Options Screen.

The save options allow the order of the objects in the file to be sorted by type of object or
to keep the original order of the objects (for an existing file). The placement of new objects
when the original order is specified can be either at the top or bottom of the file.
In addition, the Save Options also allow certain objects to be written to the file
using a specific format that some users prefer. Selecting this option will format
the following objects on a single line: Report, Report Meter, Report Variable, Ver-
sion, Timestep in Hour, Inside Convection Algorithm, Outside Convection Algorithm,
Solution Algorithm, Shadowing Calculations, Ground Reflectances, and GroundTem-
peratures:Deep. In addition, Schedule:Compact objects will be formatted to have
two field for some lines. With this option, objects with geometric vertices are for-
matted to have the X, Y, and Z values on the same line. Those objects include:
Surface:HeatTransfer, Surface:HeatTransfer:Sub, Surface:Shading:Detached:Fixed, Sur-
face:Shading:Detached:Building and Surface:Shading:Attached.
The settings for the save options are kept for each file saved from the IDF Editor.
78 CHAPTER 7. IDF EDITOR BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Also on the File menu is the Open DataSet menu and submenu. This allows you to open
any input file that appears in the DataSet subdirectory and copy objects from them into
another file. This is required because EnergyPlus does not read the DataSet files, it is up to
you to include objects from them.

7.0.7 Edit Menu

The Edit Menu offers options to create a new object, duplicate an object, and delete an
object as well as finding and searching. The object options are the same operations as can
be accomplished by using the New Obj, Dup Obj and Del Obj buttons (see the Working
with Objects section above). In addition, the Next Row after Enter option can be toggled.
When this option is on, the selection moves down one row after pressing Enter. The copy
and paste object commands allow a single object to be copied within a file or between files.
The pasted object appears as the last object in the class. This capability makes it easier to
utilize the data in the DataSets directory. The Find Class and Search and Replace options
can be used to search through the list of classes or the values of a file quickly. If renaming
objects, the recommended approach is to rename the object and select the cell again and
open the Search and Replace dialog. This will show other places in the file that use that
object name that also may need to be changed.

7.0.8 View Menu

The View menu offers options for units and column widths. The Narrow/Medium/Wide
Column options set the standard column width for items in the object grid. Individual
columns can also be resized by dragging the column separator. The displayed value is
rounded and/or expressed in scientific notation to fit within the column width.
EnergyPlus input files must always be in SI units. Selecting Inch-Pound (IP) units in
the View menu displays and edits values in IP units.
1) The IP unit will be displayed in the units column of the object grid. Some SI
units convert to multiple IP units. For example, W becomes Btu/hr for heating and cooling
capacity but remains as W for lighting and electrical equipment.
2) All conversion factors used in the IDF editor are documented in a block of comments
near the top of the Energy+.IDD file.
3) Schedules, fluid properties and curves now support IP unit conversions. For curves,
the minimum and maximum values are converted but the coefficients are not.
To display only classes that contain objects select the show classes with objects only
option on the View menu. You can also toggle this feature on and off with CTRL+L. If
the file is empty and has no objects, this toggle does not impact the display.
The Show Quick Select Dropdowns view menu option adds two new input fields to the
main screen. The input fields can be used to go quickly to different classes in the main list
of classes.
The Validity Check function has replaced and expanded upon the old Check Out-of-
Range function. It can also be started by using CTRL-R. The Validity Check function
performs three kinds of validity checks. It displays the values and locations for objects with
values that are either above the maximum or below the minimum values. It also displays
 79

fields that contain invalid references. The Validity Check dialog also shows when an entry
for a field is not one of the possible lists of choices. The Perform Validity Check When
Saving File can be turned on and off and automatically performs the check whenever the file
is saved.

7.0.9 Help Menu

The Help menu offers options to open the EnergyPlus documentation files.
Chapter 8

Other Useful programs/information

8.1 HVACTemplate Objects

HVAC Template objects are available. These are intended to allow for several usual HVAC
types to be expanded into EnergyPlus HVAC inputs with minimal user entries. These are
described in the Input/Output Reference document under the Group HVACTemplates
and the expansion process is described in the Auxiliary Programs document under Ex-
pandObjects.

8.2 Data Sets

EnergyPlus uses snippets of IDF files to create the library of data that may be useful for
you. Two folders are created upon installation: DataSets which contains IDF snippets and
MacroDataSets which also contain IDF snippets but are in a form such that they can be
easily used with the EPMacro program.

8.3 Slab and Basement Programs

The Slab and Basement programs can be used to create accurate Ground Temperature
profiles for your runs using minimal input about your building. These are used prior to an
actual simulation. The programs are described in the Auxiliary Programs document.

8.4 Coefficient Curve Generation

The CoeffConv and CoeffConv utility programs can be used to convert DOE-2 tempera-
ture dependent curves (Fahrenheit) to EnergyPlus temperature curves (Centigrade/Celsius).
These programs are described in the Auxiliary Programs document.

80
8.5. USEFUL PROGRAMS 81

8.5 Useful Programs

Several useful programs, not described fully here can be found in the Auxiliary Programs
document.

8.6 WeatherData
The E/E+ format is very flexible (as well as being ASCII and somewhat readable). In ad-
dition to the usual weather data (temperatures, solar radiation data), the format embodies
other information from the location and weather data (e.g. design conditions, calculated
ground temperatures, typical and extreme weather periods). The EPW (weather data for-
mat) is described in Auxiliary Programs Document. Other details including statistical
reports, backgrounds on data sources and formats, use of the Weather Converter program
(used both for processing data and reporting) are also provided in the Auxiliary Programs
document.
The web site for EnergyPlus (http://www.energyplus.gov) provides downloadable
weather data for many sites throughout the world from several different formats. In
addition, we are amenable to posting more weather data from users.

8.7 Results Processing

Results from EnergyPlus (using EP-Launch) appear in several possible formats. The most
basic are the csv files for the time oriented output and the meter output. These will
appear as <filename>.csv and <filename>Meter.csv. These can be quite detailed files (ref:
Output:Variable, Output:Meter commands). Other formats (such as Tabular outputs) can
yield more summarized results. These files and contents are described in more detail in the
Output Details and Examples document.
As an example, here is what the normal csv file might look like in Excel:
Likewise, a tabular output (usually in HTML format which can be read by any web
browser) might look like:
End Uses

Electricity Natural Other Fuel Purchaseh Purchaseh Water (m3)

(GJ) Gas (GJ) (GJ) Cooling Heating
(GJ) (GJ)
Heating 0.00 95.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Cooling 56.78 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Interior 124.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Lighting
Exterior 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Lighting
Interior 28.27 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Equipment
82 CHAPTER 8. OTHER USEFUL PROGRAMS/INFORMATION

Electricity Natural Other Fuel Purchaseh Purchaseh Water (m3)

(GJ) Gas (GJ) (GJ) Cooling Heating
(GJ) (GJ)
Exterior 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Equipment
Fans 73.52 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Pumps 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Heat Rejec- 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
tion
Humidification0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Heat Re- 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
covery
Water Sys- 0.08 85.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 363.07
tems
Refrigeration 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Generators 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Total End 283.03 180.56 0.00 0.00 0.00 363.07

Uses

8.8 HVAC-Diagram
Another post processing program (EnergyPlus versions 1.2 and later) is the HVAC-Diagram
application. It reads one of the EnergyPlus output files (eplusout.bnd and produces a Scal-
able Vector Graphics (SVG) file. More information on the HVAC Diagram program is found
in the Auxiliary Programs document.

8.9 CSVProc
This simple post processing program uses .csv files (such as created by ReadVarsESO) and
performs some simple statistics on the contents. This program is described more fully in the
Auxiliary Programs document.

8.10 convertESOMTR
This simple post processing program can be used seamlessly with EP-Launch to provide IP
(inch-pound) unit output files rather than SI units. This program is described more fully in
the Auxiliary Programs document.
8.10. CONVERTESOMTR 83

Figure 8.1: Results in Spreadsheet format

84 CHAPTER 8. OTHER USEFUL PROGRAMS/INFORMATION

8.11 DataFiles
Some example files are installed during installation (Sample Files option). Each sample
input file should contain comments about its purpose at the start of the file. Other example
files are made available from the website (http://www.energyplus.gov/).

8.12 Library Files

Library files for EnergyPlus are embodied in the DataSets and MacroDataSets folders.
DataSets are IDF excerpts you must cut and paste from them in order to use them. Items
in MacroDataSets can be used in conjunction with the EPMacro preprocessor program. All
files are in the necessary form for processing with EnergyPlus.
The files in the DataSets and MacroDataSets folders are described in more detail in the
Output Details and Examples document.
Chapter 9

Energy Meters

9.1 Standard Energy Meters

Meters provide one way for EnergyPlus to report energy use in a form that is pallatable to
the users. The primary implemented method for output gives very fine detail (down to the
variable level) for results from EnergyPlus. However, to get the required energy use, there
may be several variables that need to be polled and accumulated. The meter implementation
for EnergyPlus accomplishes this reporting.
Meters can be used to typify energy use by type and by component. The diagrams and
tables illustrate how the meters have been incorporated into EnergyPlus.
As shown in the figure above, energy use for the facility is grouped according to fuel type
(see Table 9.2. Table of Metered Fuel Types), by meter type (see Table 9.1. Overall Meter
Types) and by end use category type (see Table 9.4. End Use Category Types).

Table 9.1: Overall Meter Types

Meters
Facility
Building
Zone
System
Plant

Both the fuel types and enduse types are set within the program by the developers.
Current Fuel types are shown in the table below. There is also a special category called
EnergyTranser.

85
86 CHAPTER 9. ENERGY METERS

Figure 9.1: Illustration of Energy Metering

9.1. STANDARD ENERGY METERS 87

Table 9.2: Table of Metered Fuel Types

Utility/Fuel Types
Electricity
Gas
Gasoline
Diesel
Coal
FuelOil#1
FuelOil#2
Propane
Water
Steam
DistrictCooling
DistrictHeating

AdditionalTypes
HeatingCoils
CoolingCoils
Chillers
Boilers
Baseboard
HeatRecoveryForCooling
HeatRecoveryForHeating

The end use types are shown in the following table:

Table 9.4: End Use Category Types

End Use Types

InteriorLights
ExteriorLights
InteriorEquipment
ExteriorEquipment
Fans
Pumps
88 CHAPTER 9. ENERGY METERS

Table 9.4: End Use Category Types

End Use Types

Heating
Cooling
HeatRejection
Humidifier
HeatRecovery
DHW
Cogeneration
Refrigeration
Miscellaneous

Additional End Use Types Only Used for EnergyTransfer:

AdditionalTypes
HeatingCoils
CoolingCoils
Chillers
Boilers
Baseboard
HeatRecoveryForCooling
HeatRecoveryForHeating

9.2 Custom Meters

You can also define your own custom meters from variable names that are summed dur-
ing the simulation. You assign the proper fuel type during the definition (review Input
Output Reference, objects: Meter:Custom and Meter:CustomDecrement) for further
requirements.
Chapter 10

Standard EnergyPlus Units

EnergyPlus has adopted the standard SI units for input and output.
ASCII with no spaces is used for abbreviations. Note that exponents appear without
any indication of exponentiation: i.e., kg/m3 not kg/m3 or kg/m**3. Also note the use of
dashes. We have W/m2-K not W/m2*K or W/(m2*K).
At the end we note the problem variables the inputs that have non-standard units.
Inputs using these units will have to be changed and the code checked to see how the
quantities are used internally.

Table 10.1: Standard EnergyPlus Units

Quantity unit abbreviation

angular degrees degree deg
Length meter m
Area square meter m2
Volume cubic meter m3
Time seconds s
frequency Hertz Hz
temperature Celsius C
absolute temperature Kelvin K
temperature difference Celsius deltaC
Speed meters per second m/s
energy (or work) Joules J
Power Watts W
Mass kilograms kg
Force Newton N
mass flow kilograms per second kg/s
volume flow cubic meters per second m3/s
Pressure Pascals Pa

89
90 CHAPTER 10. STANDARD ENERGYPLUS UNITS

Table 10.1: Standard EnergyPlus Units

Quantity unit abbreviation

pressure difference Pascals Pa
specific enthalpy Joules per kilogram J/kg
Density kilograms per cubic meter kg/m3
heat flux watts per square meter W/m2
specific heat J/kg-K

conductivity W/m-K

Diffusivity m2/s

heat transfer coeffi- W/m2-K
cient
R-value m2-K/W

heating or cooling ca- Watts W
pacity
electric potential volts V
electric current Amperes A
illuminace lux lx
luminous flux lumen lm
luminous intensity candelas cd
luminance candelas per square meter cd/m2
vapor diffusivity m2/s
Viscosity kg/m-s

Dynamic Viscosity N-s/m2

Porosity m3/m3

thermal gradient coeff kg/kg-K
for moisture capacity
isothermal moisture m3/kg
capacity