Energy Modeling
Computer simulations of a building’s energy use have long been accepted as required work in many tax or utility incentive programs.The answer to the question of whether simulations can really be accurate is “yes” and “no”. The accuracy of the simulation depends on three factors:
- The skill of the person doing the energy systems survey/audit and subsequent modeling,
- The competency of the energy and building modeling software, and
- The ability of the person and software to understand where to make appropriate and technically defendable changes when the modeling results do not sufficiently match the actual utility costs.
All Hanita energy modeling solutions are right-sized for the application and take into account the interdependent effects of building science and location when modeling. For example, a simulation of a building in Las Vegas will not only take into account the reduction in cooling costs but also potential for an increase in heating costs.
To have us perform an EnergyPlus / EFILM simulation on your building 
The following two sections describe the current Hanita energy modeling solutions:
EnergyPlus/EFILM
EnergyPlus / EFILM is a computer program developed by DesignBuilder Software and WinBuild, Inc., for analyzing the energy use of fenestration systems with and without film attachments and the cost-effectiveness analysis of different fenestration options in typical commercial and residential buildings.
As an interface with the powerful EnergyPlus 6.0 simulation engine defined in the following section, EnergyPlus / EFILM allows the typical fenestration engineer to hold certain modeling complications constant during the “before and after” simulation (such as HVAC type and lighting power density) in order to calculate the improvement from Hanita window films.
The model for the typical buildings was developed based on available studies of the average building use in the United States (existing buildings) and based on a new edition of energy codes and relevant U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) benchmark buildings. Many parameters are customizable, including envelope construction, HVAC systems, internal loads, schedules, and air infiltration. Some Figures below represent a sample of important EnergyPlus / EFILM data entry screens:
Please contact Hanita directly for any assistance you need regarding EnergyPlus / EFILM simulations or to request a no-cost license and training for your own use.
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EnergyPlus 6.0
In most situations, EnergyPlus / EFILM provides the accurate data required to make informed financial decisions based on net present and future value.
However, in some cases such as certain incentive and rebate programs, one must select from a very short list of modeling programs that are “pre-approved” to do the simulations. Hanita chose EnergyPlus as the simulation engine behind EnergyPlus / EFILM because EnergyPlus is on most of these lists.
Like EnergyPlus / EFILM, EnergyPlus is an energy analysis and thermal load simulation program based on a user's description of a building from the perspective of the building's physical make-up and associated mechanical and other systems. EnergyPlus calculates heating and cooling loads necessary to maintain thermal control setpoints, conditions throughout a secondary HVAC system and coil loads, and the energy consumption of primary plant equipment. Simultaneous integration of these—and many other—details verify that the EnergyPlus simulation performs as would the real building.
As a full service technical and engineering manufacturing supporter, please contact us directly for any assistance with Energy Plus energy simulation needs.
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| Figure 1 EnergyPlus/EFILM Detailed Building Description and Geometry |
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