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How should I fix the UpdateZoneSizing message? Why does one error produce a warning and the other a severe warning?

asked 2024-05-07 01:45:59 -0500

Mike117's avatar

updated 2024-05-07 07:23:55 -0500

I have the following error messages, but I am not sure why one is a warning and the other a severe warning/error. How can I fix it?

** Warning ** UpdateZoneSizing: Heating supply air temperature (calculated) within 5C of zone temperature
**   ~~~   ** ...check zone thermostat set point and design supply air temperatures
**   ~~~   ** ...zone name = TZ - S6 - AHU 4 VAV
**   ~~~   ** ...design heating load         = 5957.52 W
**   ~~~   ** ...thermostat set point temp   = 25.000 C
**   ~~~   ** ...zone temperature            = 24.993 C
**   ~~~   ** ...supply air temperature      = 27.000 C
**   ~~~   ** ...temperature difference      = 2.00704 C
**   ~~~   ** ...calculated volume flow rate = 2.41854 m3/s
**   ~~~   ** ...calculated mass flow rate   = 2.91094 kg/s
** Severe  ** UpdateZoneSizing: Heating supply air temperature (calculated) within 2C of zone temperature
**   ~~~   ** ...check zone thermostat set point and design supply air temperatures
**   ~~~   ** ...zone name = TZ - S6 - FCU 1
**   ~~~   ** ...design heating load         = 175.39 W
**   ~~~   ** ...thermostat set point temp   = 25.000 C
**   ~~~   ** ...zone temperature            = 25.001 C
**   ~~~   ** ...supply air temperature      = 27.000 C
**   ~~~   ** ...temperature difference      = 1.99877 C
**   ~~~   ** ...calculated volume flow rate = 7.14982E-002 m3/s
**   ~~~   ** ...calculated mass flow rate   = 8.60548E-002 kg/s
** Warning ** Calculated design heating load for zone=TZ - S7 - LIFTS is zero.
**   ~~~   ** Check Sizing:Zone and ZoneControl:Thermostat inputs.

I have since changed some of the values, but I am asking for knowledge and documentation sake. Thank you!

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answered 2024-05-07 08:02:59 -0500

updated 2024-05-07 08:04:34 -0500

The message is telling you that the supply air temperature is close to the zone temperature (a small delta T). During sizing the zone air mass flow rate is calculated as: mass flow rate = design heating load / (Cp, air * (supply air temperature - zone temperature). So as the supply air temperature approaches the zone temperature the mass flow rate becomes unreasonable large. Within a 5C difference and larger than 2C is a warning (27 - 24.993 = 2.007) and within a 2C difference (27 - 25.001 = 1.999) is a severe. A typical range of air flow for HVAC is 300 - 500 CFM/ton. The small delta T here shows a very high air flow of 10x what is typical. To fix this, increase the Sizing:Zone heating supply air temperature.

The first message shows 2.41854 m3/s / 5957.52 W = 0.000406 m3/s/W or 3025 CFM/ton
The second message shows 0.0714982 m3/s / 175.39 W = 0.000408 m3/s/W or 3038 CFM/ton
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Thank you! This makes sense.

Is this outlined in an EnergyPlus engineering reference book? I would like to use the formula and reference it in my research report.

Mike117's avatar Mike117  ( 2024-05-07 14:16:41 -0500 )edit

You can see similar numbers of m3/s/W in the Engineering Reference under DX Coil Sizing. Then also search for "0.00004" to find other places that discuss this concept.

rraustad's avatar rraustad  ( 2024-05-07 14:23:18 -0500 )edit

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Asked: 2024-05-07 01:45:59 -0500

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Last updated: May 07