Solutions
Energy Modeling & Analysis
Test improvement options on a model of your building before committing capital, and compare them against a clear energy goal.
The problem
Building systems interact. A new chiller, a controls upgrade and an envelope improvement each change how the others perform, so estimating measures one at a time can overstate or understate the result.
Without a model, it is hard to compare realistic combinations of equipment, measures and operating schedules before money is spent.
Who it’s for
- Owners comparing several upgrade or replacement options.
- Design teams at any phase, including early schematic design.
- Projects working toward a defined energy-use goal or measuring performance against a standard such as ASHRAE 90.1.
What the work involves
- Building an energy simulation model of the facility, commonly using eQUEST.
- Grounding the model in the building’s actual characteristics and utility baseline.
- Running multiple scenarios with different equipment configurations, measures and operating conditions.
- Comparing results against an energy-use goal, typically expressed as energy use per square foot per year.
- Comparing design options against applicable standards and code baselines.
About eQUEST
eQUEST is a widely used building energy simulation tool built on the DOE-2 simulation engine. It is not Astro software. Astro uses it within this service because it can support design decisions at every phase, from early concepts through detailed design.
eQUEST produces detailed tables and charts of modeled energy use by end use, measure and scenario, which makes options easier to compare.
Audit or modeling: what’s the difference?
An energy audit examines the building as it is today: how it uses energy, what condition systems are in, and which measures look promising.
Energy modeling looks forward. It simulates how the building would perform with different combinations of measures, so you can compare options before choosing one. Many projects start with an audit and use modeling to test the most promising measures.
What you receive
- Modeled results for each scenario studied.
- Tables and charts comparing energy use across options.
- Analysis that supports measure selection, payback evaluation and design decisions.
How it connects to the next stage
In Astro’s project delivery model, the energy model is revisited during design and again during construction documents, so the final design stays aligned with the energy goal set at the start.
Next stageNext step
Talk through your building with us
Tell us what you want to improve. We’ll discuss your goals and constraints and suggest a sensible first step. No obligation.