Parametric / Optimization in DesignBuilder with Heating/Cooling capacity as output

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Hi Adriaan, you can use the "Script KPI" to define a custom output(s). This example shows how to read the EUI from EnergyPlus summary tables. The script can be easily adjusted to read and report autosized capacities from the "ZoneHVAC:IdealLoadsAirSystem" report (Simple HVAC) or equipment-specific tables in Detailed HVAC.

When comparing design loads of different architectural design variables, I manually calculate the heating and cooling design loads and post process the comparison. This is a valuable comparison for the project CAPEX, where smaller equipment sizes are cheaper.

you could also setup the alternatives and manually run the simulations (simulatenously) and then compare the component sizing reports. That might be more efficient.

@AadriaanW

The parametric or optimisation analysis are only for models and calculations run with simulation tab. The parametric or optimisation analysis currently cant be used for heating or cooling design models.

If you can't find the KPI that you are looking for, you can create your own KPI. There are tutorials at https://designbuilder.co.uk/helpv7.3/...

The list of the builtin KPIs with descriptions is available at https://designbuilder.co.uk/helpv7.3/... Currently, the Cooling load KPI is the same as the Cooling energy KPI.

Another tool that is designed to do parametric analysis and can import existing IDF files is EP3 (www.secondlaw.biz)

You may also try jEPlus and jEPlus+EA (https://jeplus.org) to do perform parametric analysis and optimisation on the IDF models created by DesignBuilder. jEPlus tools can extract values that you can see in eplustbl.htm. It requires some understanding of the IDF file structure, but it is not too hard especially if you don't need to manipulate geometries.