jhtravis's profile - activity

I can help you get into the Sqlite files. On free tool in windows is "sqlitebrowser" which can be installed here: https

I agree with Annie and Julien. IDF editor change, change back and save is the method I have used to to get a sorted IDF file.

This is an untested guess but I believe the code being used to do the sort is this file available on Github: https://github.com/NREL/EnergyPlus/bl...

If you are looking for the IDF format and order I think that would be in the IDD file for each respective version. I do think an IDF "cleaner" could be valuable. Jamie let us know if you make it. Or NREL guys, if you know of a quicker path that could be used chime in.

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/building...

PNNL released a report that discusses this question in detail: "Infiltration Modeling Guidelines for Commercial Building Energy Analysis"

ArchEnergy has another paper that explored this topic further:

Determining which schedule to include is determined on if the space is positively pressurized by a mechanical system or if not. If it is positively pressurized the infiltration schedule should be reduced during those times.

Stack effect impacts infiltration for very tall buildings but for most building with a small amount of floors the key consideration is tightness of the shell and windows which can properly modeled using the flow per exterior wall area. Refer to either of the two links for further information.