Modeling half levels or "garden levels" in BEOpt
I am modeling specific homes to estimate energy and carbon emissions and savings/reductions with system upgrades using NREL's BEOpt platform.
One specific home is built as half-levels. The "Basement" is really a "Garden Level", only about 4-5 feet underground, with windows to the outside. The "Ground Floor" starts about six stairs, or 3-4 feet above ground level.
Is it possible to model these types of "half levels" or garden levels in BEOpt? Or does anyone have tips or how-to's?
Thank you,
There are some similar questions here and here with proposed workarounds.
Fantastic. Thank you @shorowit. And so fast! I had searched for "half levels" and "garden levels" but didn't find anything. Thank you for pointing me to the right place.
A followup question...The house I'm modeling has a larger garden level ("finished basement") than the ground+level. The finished basement is 34' W x 36' L. The ground+ level is 34' W x 28' L, with an 8' UNcovered porch over the rest of the finished basement.
BEOpt does not appear to allow a basement NOT underneath finished area. (ie if I try to build the finished basement, BEOpt automatically creates a finished 1st level where it is open exterior space.) Does anyone have any suggestions for modeling a "finished basement" underneath a porch? @shorowit?
You'll have to stick with 34x28 for the finished basement -- I wouldn't expect that to make a huge difference in results.