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First, read through this thread:

https://unmethours.com/question/359/what-are-your-techniques-for-reducing-unmet-hours/

Although many suggestions are for EnergyPlus/OpenStudio, the same techniques will apply to eQuest.

There are many possible solutions. Examine your SS-R report, and find which zones are having issue - it may all be in one zone which can help to focus your efforts.

First, I'd look at your Throttling Range (at the zone level) - it defaults to 2F, which is a fairly tight range. Try 4F or even 6F, and see how much of an impact it has.

Try autosizing the airflow/heat capacities, and see what eQuest thinks the capacities should be.

If you are using Floor Multipliers, heating and cooling capacities need to be entered at the zone level rather than the system level. In this case, it would show up in the SS-R report with the Mid level zones having the underheated/cooled hours, but the Bottom and Top floors are fine.

Also check your outdoor air rates - are you bringing in too much outdoor air? This would cause the systems to have to work harder to condition the air.

At the end of the day, if it is just one or two zones, you can add an electric resistance baseboard to cover the unmet capacity and reduce the hours to an acceptable range. This would be the very last resort though...

First, read through this thread:

https://unmethours.com/question/359/what-are-your-techniques-for-reducing-unmet-hours/

Although many suggestions are for EnergyPlus/OpenStudio, the same techniques will apply to eQuest.

There are many possible solutions. Examine your SS-R report, and find which zones are having issue - it may all be in one zone which can help to focus your efforts.

First, I'd look at your Throttling Range (at the zone level) - it defaults to 2F, which is a fairly tight range. Try 4F or even 6F, and see how much of an impact it has.has. This is particularly relevent for VAV systems.

Try autosizing the airflow/heat capacities, and see what eQuest thinks the capacities should be.

If you are using Floor Multipliers, heating and cooling capacities need to be entered at the zone level rather than the system level. In this case, it would show up in the SS-R report with the Mid level zones having the underheated/cooled hours, but the Bottom and Top floors are fine.

Also check your outdoor air rates - are you bringing in too much outdoor air? This would cause the systems to have to work harder to condition the air.

At the end of the day, if it is just one or two zones, you can add an electric resistance baseboard to cover the unmet capacity and reduce the hours to an acceptable range. This would be the very last resort though...