How important are the structure of tabs in OS?

asked 2016-02-07 04:46:15 -0600

updated 2016-02-08 07:28:08 -0600

I'm trying mostly to use OS for indoor climate simulation, and in that matter, I would like to know more about which of the tabs are most important...

I can se tab "Thermal Zone" have the zone equipment where I can define ventilation, heating, cooling and so on. Then do I need to add anything to the tab "HVAC system"?? I'm a little confused on that.

As well, whats the importance of the "facility" tab?

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Good to see you join the ranks of the UnmetHours community, welcome! Fyi, I've removed the greetings in your question in accordance with our policy. See this thread for more info.

Julien Marrec ( 2016-02-07 08:13:42 -0600 )edit

I understand. One question in that matter: If now I want to indicate that I have read your comment and accept/like it, am I right to use/press the arrow pointing up in front of your comment and then it becomes red I can see.

EnnaEnitsriK ( 2016-02-07 11:47:24 -0600 )edit

Yes, that's the way to do it! Comments cannot be downvoted, just upvoted. Questions can be upvoted or downvoted. Answers can be upvoted (+10 karma), downvoted, and accepted (+15). Some of that information is on the help page

Julien Marrec ( 2016-02-07 11:55:39 -0600 )edit

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answered 2016-02-07 08:10:46 -0600

Julien Marrec

29696 ●94 ●76 http://www.effibem.com/

updated 2016-02-07 08:11:08 -0600

I suggest you start with the basics if you haven't done it yet and go to the Introduction Tutorial and specifically to the Quick Start Guide to OpenStudio Modeling Tools. The OpenStudio Quick Start Guide (PDF) does explain what each tab is and what it's used for.

To answer your specific questions:

On the thermal zone tab, you will define the heating and cooling schedules and any ZoneHVAC components (a PTHP, a baseboard, etc), that isn't part of an air loop (you'll also see AirTerminal units on this tab but you typically assign this though the HVAC tab). Take a look at the Input Output reference for Zone Equipment. You'll typically assign the Zone Forced Air Units and the Radiative/Convective Units on the Thermal Zones tab.
On the HVAC tab you will define plant loop and air loops.
OpenStudio is object-oriented (as in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)), and has as such as concept of inheritance. This is extremely important (and awesome compared to other software lacking it, like eQuest). You need to read this OpenStudio Model Objects page, and especially the inheritance diagram.
- To give you an example of what that means: I can set a default construction set for my entire building and that will apply to each surface, unless I have specified (=hard coded) a different construction set at a lower (abstraction) level, such as for a story, a space type, or a space. It means that I can say that my external walls should be of type X, unless it's my BuildingStory Basement and then I want it to be of type Y. I don't have to apply it to each surface, which is a huge time saver.
the Facility Tab has the highest levels of abstraction: Building (highest), and Stories. Also has the shading and exterior equipment. In my Exampe above, you would assign the default construction set of type X to the building. And you would assign the construction set of type Y to the story Basement

This might not be the clearest explanation, but I'm sure once you take a look at the links I gave you, you'll be able to make sense of it.

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Oh great information! Thank you so much !! I'll just check out the links you wrote and come back if I miss something, hope that alright! :D

EnnaEnitsriK ( 2016-02-07 09:31:20 -0600 )edit

Yep, absolutely! If you need to ask a small additional info, make sure you use a comment and not an answer (never use an answer to add a question), or if you have something more detailed or more specific, open new thread.

Julien Marrec ( 2016-02-07 10:20:00 -0600 )edit

(If this ends up solving your problem, make sure you mark the question as Accepted (the check mark below the upvote and downvote arrows) so that the question is mark as "closed/answered". See this stackexchange meta question for why it's important)

Julien Marrec ( 2016-02-07 10:25:02 -0600 )edit

Thank you for all the nice information about "how to act", it's very helpful!

I have been reading now in the links, especially the input output reference document, and still do not fully understand why I can't only have the zone equipment? Maybe you can elaborate this part?

and if you take into matter that I only need to do indoor climate simulation.. meaning the use-of-energy-part it not really that important to me - I just need the right size of temperature and amount of air, I do not care about how it heats the air or how much energy it requires. I know this is VERY important in

EnnaEnitsriK ( 2016-02-07 11:56:55 -0600 )edit

reality, but in my country energy calculations has to be done in another program, and this is just a school fictive project.

EnnaEnitsriK ( 2016-02-07 11:57:49 -0600 )edit

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