DesignBuilder v3 HVAC Simulation

For the first time, the advanced HVAC features in EnergyPlus are accessible to the building simulation community in a user-friendly graphical environment.

DesignBuilder v3 HVAC capabilities have been significantly expanded to provide a powerful and flexible way to access a wide range of EnergyPlus HVAC system types. It will be possible to model both air and water sides together in full detail with a good range of component types including all ASHRAE 90.1 baseline HVAC system types.

Watch a demo of the DesignBuilder v3 HVAC functionality

HVAC features include:

• Graphical definition of plant, condenser and air loops through placement of components, mixers and splitters
• Definition of connecting nodes using 'universal' connection tool with drawing guide and snap tools
• Extensible library of E+ components including boilers, chillers, heating coils, heat pumps, cooling coils, pumps, fans, humidifiers, etc
• Templates for component data (e.g. input of performance curves etc.)
• Access to all ASHRAE 90.1 baseline HVAC system types
• Graphical representation of zones featuring drag and drop facilities for ADUs (air distribution units), radiant heating/cooling devices, fan coil units, etc
• Zone groups allow multiple zones having similar system types to be grouped together simplifying the HVAC diagram layout and speeding data entry
• Graphical definition of set-point managers
• Comprehensive set of ADUs including cooled beams, direct air, dual duct CAV, dual duct VAV, single duct CAV reheat, single duct VAV with/without reheat, single duct VAV reheat with variable speed fan, series PIU (VAV terminal type), parallel PIU, four pipe induction
• Air handling units with drag and drop facilities for including fans, coils, humidifiers, etc
• Zone forced air units covered are fan coil units and packaged heat pumps
• Automatic network integrity and connection compatibility checks
• Fully automatic generation of EnergyPlus IDF data