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An overview of why this site is so important to our community: bit.ly/ZEmtjS. – cmiller8 Jan 8 at 22:48

91 Example Questions

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up vote 21 down vote

added by Sheena Jan 8 at 19:01

This is a great question - however once we get to Beta, it would be appropriate to have an example showing this phenomenon. – cmiller8 Feb 6 at 4:01

I agree this is a great topic for an entire discussion – Michael Tillou Feb 15 at 15:30

up vote 19 down vote

added by cmiller8 Dec 12 '12 at 13:54

This question could be improved by citing what sources of occupancy/load schedules you're currently using. That way the community could direct you to things you don't already know about. – RyanStochastic Feb 7 at 17:49

Hey everyone - consider voting on questions with LESS than 10 votes (we need 40 with >10)! There are some good questions down at the bottom also! – cmiller8 Mar 8 at 7:28

up vote 13 down vote

added by cmiller8 Dec 12 '12 at 13:23

I like this question too but try to use your votes on the newer questions with <10 votes! – cmiller8 Mar 8 at 7:29

BIM-to-BEM is a good topic. How far into BIM do we expect to get in this forum? – Amir Roth Mar 8 at 15:23

@Amir - You're right - that's a very interesting and yet massive topic. I think we should tackle it also! It is very relevant and is not too broad for the scope of this community (in my humble opinion). – cmiller8 Mar 8 at 15:32

Excellent question focusing on the near future (next step?). We can port the CAD design, but not the system model. – Richard Raustad Mar 9 at 0:56

up vote 13 down vote

added by cmiller8 Dec 12 '12 at 13:43

@dcoakley <comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. Comments are here to help improve the questions. This proposal is not part of the Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define a future site. Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 7 at 14:38

This question was downvoted on Feb 25 - can the downvoter please explain the logic behind this? – cmiller8 Mar 5 at 10:17

This is a great question. It would be interesting to explore the possibilities for parametrization across a number of different simulation engines. One might ask whether there are programs in which this type of parametrization is easier to carry out? – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:33

@Daniel - thanks. In a real question I would be much more specific such that the question is directly answerable for the particular situation I outline. Questions that are too general or too subjective are not good. – cmiller8 Mar 5 at 19:55

Please consider voting on other questions with <10 votes! Thanks! – cmiller8 Mar 9 at 10:08

up vote 12 down vote

added by Daren Thomas Dec 13 '12 at 13:41

<comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. Comments are here to help improve the questions. This proposal is not part of the Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define a future site. Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 7 at 14:38

This question could be improved by citing an example; i.e. tell us what your simulation is engine is simulating (building /plant/VAV box/PV system), and citing what part of the simulation you want to verify. (dynamic performance? end result?) – RyanStochastic Feb 7 at 17:52

I agree. It's an interesting question and there are some general resources out there, but a more specific question would be more likely to attract a response. – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:41

up vote 11 down vote

added by Neal Kruis Oct 10 '12 at 16:33

	In the spirit of StackOverflow, I would ask that this question be much more specific - ie: what the scenario is for modeling, what types of input/output are required, etc – cmiller8 Dec 12 '12 at 9:48
	I just realized that more detail can't be provided due to the length restrictions at this phase of the site! However, if we make it to beta then we should insist on more detail. – cmiller8 Dec 12 '12 at 10:23

up vote 10 down vote

added by Neal Kruis Oct 10 '12 at 16:26

Yeah, I think this one needs to be more specific also - ie: what version of LEED and more information about the scenario... – cmiller8 Dec 12 '12 at 9:56

A lot of these questions came right from the listserve the day I started the site. I feel they are fairly typical of what will be asked on this site. A lot of the details didn't make it within the character limit. – Neal Kruis Dec 12 '12 at 17:13

Yep, I noticed that as soon as I tried to post a question! – cmiller8 Dec 13 '12 at 7:47

Based on the Stack Exchange model, the question is really only a hook. You then have a longer explanation with all the details, plus tags for the software used, etc. – Jamie Bull Jan 8 at 15:04

up vote 10 down vote

added by Neal Kruis Oct 10 '12 at 16:41

I suspect that building energy modelling is just a subset of the already-live computational science StackExchange. – EnergyNumbers Oct 16 '12 at 8:24

I don't think computational scientists are the correct audience for a building energy modeling Q and A. Computational science may be an appropriate venue for the people developing building energy modeling software, but not the people using the software. – Neal Kruis Oct 16 '12 at 15:16

I just had a quick look at the computational science stack exchange and it appears to be much more focussed on the science of computation itself, rather than on the application of computational tools to scientific questions. Also keep in mind that building energy modellers tend to be practitioners more akin to engineers than to scientists - an overgeneralization to be sure, but a fair one I think. – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:43

up vote 10 down vote

added by cmiller8 Dec 12 '12 at 10:22

I think this is a great example question - very specific, and concise. Although with EP Version 8 soon to be released, we should probably try to keep questions in regards to the current version. – Karen Feb 14 at 16:59

@downvoter - I'm curious to know why this question was downvoted yesterday? Please help me improve the question. – cmiller8 Mar 5 at 10:16

The "tool" used is no different than that used for any performance curve. Spreadsheet data analysis, 3rd party statistical programs, etc. can regress virtually any data set. I use excel to create my VRF curves. EnergyPlus also offers a spreadsheet tool to create bi-quadratic curves that could help in this regard. In case others want to know how to create VRF curves: fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/pdf/… – Richard Raustad Mar 9 at 0:10

@new voters - consider using your votes on newer questions with <10 votes. We need 40 questions with 10+ votes to move on to the next phase! – cmiller8 Mar 9 at 10:10

up vote 10 down vote

added by cmiller8 Dec 12 '12 at 13:18

Please consider voting on other questions with <10 votes! We need 40 questions with >10 votes to make it to the next phase!!! – cmiller8 Mar 9 at 10:09

up vote 10 down vote

added by Marcus Jones Dec 12 '12 at 13:21

Are there going to be separate sub-stacks for engine/interface specific questions under a main stack for general BEM questions? Or everything in one stack? Not that this question is really that engine specific ... – Amir Roth Mar 7 at 1:00

There is one site, but questions are "tagged" with engine (software like TRNSYS or E+), application, etc., see i.e. this discussion. This is one the main benefits compared to email lists, for content that crosses categories. Tags will be defined in Beta. – Marcus Jones Mar 7 at 12:50

@downvoter - why?! – cmiller8 Mar 19 at 19:22

up vote 10 down vote

added by Michael O'Keefe Dec 12 '12 at 17:28

Is this a question of how the zoning impacts the energy performance? – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:38

up vote 10 down vote

added by user71468 Dec 12 '12 at 19:27

	What do you mean by "end"? Do you mean the build phase? What about snagging and services commissioning? What about occupant feedback and systems adaptation? A simple answer to the question is "Whoever paid for it"! – Pete Jan 8 at 20:34
	The model should remain with the building for use in the future. Similar to how plans are on file with the county so should be the computer model. Commissioining, retrofitting, upgrading, etc. would then be much easier. – Richard Raustad Mar 8 at 18:46
	Unfortunately there is no correct answer or protocol for this. Ownership in the design and construction of a building is something that may differ from project to project and is ultimately a function of the contract requirements between all parties involved. – Alan J. Mar 9 at 16:47
	@downvoter - please provide feedback if you think this is a bad question – cmiller8 Mar 19 at 19:17

up vote 10 down vote

added by Daren Thomas Dec 13 '12 at 14:13

This would be an interesting question to explore in a discussion. I would be curious to know what impact this kind of change might have on the annual energy consumption. – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:37

up vote 10 down vote

added by Marcus Jones Dec 13 '12 at 16:14

@rRyanStochastic <comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. Comments are here to help improve the questions. This proposal is not part of the Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define a future site. Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 7 at 14:41

@Robert Cartaino: how can users get a feel for the Q/A nature of the site without some example questions AND example answers? – RyanStochastic Feb 7 at 17:22

Please see What is the rationale for not allowing answers during the definition phase? – Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 7 at 17:45

up vote 10 down vote

added by Eric Wilson Dec 13 '12 at 19:14

	@Anonymous <comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. Comments are here to help improve the questions. This proposal is not part of the Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define a future site. Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 7 at 14:40
	This question comes up a lot on mailing lists and is especially important for modellers looking at calibrating energy models against utility and sub-metering data for existing buildings. – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:39

up vote 10 down vote

added by Brent Griffith Dec 14 '12 at 22:31

A system application guide for all types would be ideal for this community. Plug-and-pay type rules. Type 4 is just a roof-top heat pump, how hard is that....then comes App. G. – Richard Raustad Mar 9 at 0:43

@Richard - Just an FYI that the moderator may remove 'answers' to the questions in this phase of the site due: discuss.area51.stackexchange.com/questions/9054/… Good insight though! Don't worry, the beta phase will come soon enough I hope. – cmiller8 Mar 9 at 9:53

Do twitter-isms like @ and # have actual semantics in SE? Or are they just acceped "stage directions" for general textual conversation at this point? God, I feel old! – Amir Roth Mar 18 at 4:22

up vote 10 down vote

added by Patrick Bivona Dec 20 '12 at 12:33

up vote 10 down vote

added by Jamie Bull Jan 8 at 16:03

up vote 10 down vote

added by Pete Jan 8 at 20:30

@Andrew <comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. Comments are here to help improve the questions. This proposal is not part of the Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define a future site. Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 7 at 14:39

up vote 10 down vote

added by Jamie Bull Jan 10 at 9:49

up vote 10 down vote

added by ASkillman Jan 10 at 16:40

	This is a good question that could be improved by reference to a specific simulation tool. The answer will vary depending on the tool in question. – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:45
	This question is too vague given it is about eQuest. The question should be framed asking what limitations can be expected when using eQuest to model chilled beams with DOAS? It can be modeled, but not exactly as one might wish given modern designs. – NeilB Mar 29 at 5:18

up vote 10 down vote

added by Patrick Bivona Jan 17 at 2:16

up vote 10 down vote

added by Benjamin Brannon Jan 29 at 3:41

@User2542 <comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. Comments are here to help improve the questions. This proposal is not part of the Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define a future site. Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 7 at 14:41

up vote 10 down vote

added by Benjamin Brannon Jan 29 at 3:49

up vote 10 down vote

added by Neal Kruis Feb 6 at 18:36

This would be a good topic of discussion and it would very useful for new users to see the answers that people might provide. – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:44

up vote 10 down vote

added by Michael O'Keefe Feb 14 at 20:34

Up to and including schematic design, the Advanced Energy Design Guides are a good starting point. Moving forward from the schematic stage requires more details and actual simulation. – Richard Raustad Mar 8 at 16:38

up vote 10 down vote

added by Michael Tillou Feb 15 at 15:11

This might be better posed as a question on zoning strategy. For example, what are the key principles one should keep in mind when creating thermal zones in an energy model? – Daniel Knapp Mar 5 at 19:55

up vote 10 down vote

added by Jamie Bull Mar 1 at 12:58

up vote 10 down vote

added by Dan Macumber Mar 8 at 2:40

<comments removed> @Richard Please do not use comments to answer these questions. This proposal is not part of a Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define what is on and off topic for a site. Comments are here to help improve the questions; not to answer them. See What is the rationale for deleting answers? Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Mar 20 at 13:48

up vote 7 down vote

added by user76470 Apr 17 at 14:08

up vote 6 down vote

added by Eric Wilson Feb 12 at 17:56

up vote 5 down vote

added by user76470 Apr 17 at 14:04

up vote 3 down vote

added by Neal Kruis Feb 6 at 18:37

up vote 3 down vote

added by user76470 Apr 17 at 14:02

up vote 3 down vote

added by user76470 Apr 17 at 14:10

up vote 1 down vote

added by Michael O'Keefe Feb 14 at 20:35

up vote 1 down vote

added by Damien Tavan Mar 11 at 16:02

A question to pave the way for Python as a BPS support tool! – Damien Tavan Mar 11 at 16:03

Great question! – Eric Wilson Apr 17 at 15:45

up vote 0 down vote

added by Marcus Jones Dec 12 '12 at 13:25

	This one is also asked very often on the TRNSYS list. – Marcus Jones Dec 12 '12 at 13:25
	This is not my area (TRNSYS...I use PI in the lab all the time), but I am very interested in future comments. Have you reviewed the PID loop tuning procedures? – Richard Raustad Mar 9 at 0:39

up vote 0 down vote

added by Michael O'Keefe Dec 12 '12 at 17:41

@Michael <comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. Comments are here to help improve the questions. This proposal is not part of the Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define a future site. Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 7 at 14:42