REM/Rate

User-friendly, yet highly sophisticated, residential energy analysis, code compliance and rating software developed specifically for the needs of HERS providers. REM/Rate calculates heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, and appliance energy loads, consumption and costs for new and existing single and multi-family homes. Climate data is available for cities and towns throughout North America. A home energy rating is calculated based on the proposed DOE HERS guidelines (10 CFR 437) as modified by the RESNET/NASEO HERS Technical Committee. In addition to an energy rating, REM/Rate creates value added information including energy efficiency mortgage report, energy appraisal addendum, energy code compliance (MEC, IECC, and ASHRAE), improvement analysis (existing homes), design optimization (new homes), heating and cooling equipment sizing, utility DSM compliance analysis, and U.S. EPA Energy Star Home analysis.
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REM/Rate operates in Windows and has many unique features, including a simplified input procedure, extensive component libraries, automated energy efficient improvement analysis, duct conduction and leakage analysis, latent and sensible cooling analysis, lighting and appliance audit, and active and passive solar analysis. In addition, REM/Rate has a User Defined Reference Building feature which enables the HERS provider to create other reference buildings that can be compared to the rated home, and an Export/Archive File feature that creates a file of inputs and outputs that can be imported to database software for statistical analysis, rating archiving and custom report generation. Screen Shots

Keywords

home energy rating systems, residential buildings, energy simulation, code compliance, design, weatherization, EPA Energy Star Home analysis, equipment sizing

Validation/Testing

N/A

Expertise Required

Medium level of computer literacy required.

Users

REM/Rate is used by utilities, HERS Providers, weatherization agencies and others in over 35 states for energy design assistance, residential DSM programs, weatherization assistance programs, and home energy rating programs.

Audience

HERS Providers, weatherization agencies, and energy auditing consultants.

Input

Two levels of input: simplified and detailed. Simplified inputs use general building design characteristics (e.g., house type) and built-in algorithms to determine building shell areas and other characteristics. Detailed inputs provide the user greater control over calculational values. Inputs include, opaque wall construction details, window conduction and solar gain values, HVAC efficiencies, duct system characteristics, passive and active solar design features, infiltration rates (measured or estimated).

Output

27 preformatted reports, available for viewing on screen or printing. Reports include rating, quick report, improvement analysis, energy use, energy cost, normalized energy use, design loads, code compliance, and economic analysis of energy upgrades.

Computer Platform

Computer Platform: PC-compatible, Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME, 8 MB disk space

Programming Language

C++

Strengths

Considered one of the easiest residential energy analysis and rating tools to use. One of the only tools that allows side-by-side comparison of two homes, making analysis of energy upgrades easy. Automatic improvement analysis makes automated design optimization possible. Multi-purpose tool brings together in a single package the capability to perform home energy ratings, design optimization, improvement analysis, compliance analysis and equipment sizing.

Weaknesses

Single zone model. Seasonal methodology cannot predict hourly values. Unsophisticated HVAC equipment modeling.

Contact

Availability

Variety of licensing options from an annual license fee with a pay per use fee, to an annual lump sum license fee, to an annual license fee with sub-licensing provisions. Licensing arrangement can be structured that best accommodates specific situation.

Printable Version