Question-and-Answer Resource for the Building Energy Modeling Community
 | 1 | initial version |
What is the purpose of the model? Is this for an energy efficiency study for a utility? An illustrative "what if" scenario for a design team or a LEED certification study? The purpose of the model dictates what you information you need for the model. If you are doing an energy conservation measure (ECM) for an isolated section of a school building (DCV for a auditorium) the ventilation rate in the kitchen of the school doesn't matter in that instance.
What is currently known about the building? Will there be more information know about the building down the road? Is this schematic design (SD) or construction design (CD) or an existing building with a old design files and consumption data to calibrate too?
All those qualifiers aside. RMI has made a good template called the EMIT tool to add information to eQuest. Also, the wizard in eQuest is helpful for being led through that building categories can impact consumption in a building.
Tools: RMI page
Energy Model Input Translator (EMIT)
Now for any model you will need weather data. Larger discussion on weather information here: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/weatherdata_simulation.cfm?print
