Software

EnergyPlus

Best features of the DOE-2 and BLAST programs combined into a new, powerful, and more accurate program. Some EnergyPlus features: heat balance loads calculation, simultaneous loads and HVAC calculation, sub-hour timesteps, moisture absorption/desorption in building elements, loop-based HVAC systems, a new input data structure allows easy attachment of graphical user interfaces, modularized code allows others to easily add new calculation features, a new output data structure allows easy attachment of postprocessors for results display and analysis, additions (such as ground heat transfer and interzone air flow) allow simulation of processes not available in either DOE-2 or BLAST, and a link to the component-based program SPARK allow simulation of complex systems that are beyond the scope of the basic EnergyPlus model.