EnergyGauge Summit Premier

EnergyGauge Summit Premier offers automatic reference building generation allowing considerable time savings for analyzing buildings for code compliance and green building certification. After entering a building, the software can automatically compare the building to ASHRAE Standard 90.1 2001, 2004 or 2007 reference building models, and for the appropriate building types, the ASHRAE Advanced design guidelines. Additional capabilities include the ability to run a whole building simulation as per ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Appendix G guidelines for LEED New Construction 2.2, and for computing Federal Tax Deductions as per EPACT 2005 guidelines from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and DOE. The software also offers the capability of submitting the LEED 2.2 PDF file for energy optimization points directly to the USGBC.

EnergyGauge software features easy to use, intuitive, structured inputs for building and HVAC system components and parameters. DOE 2.1E (v120) is used as the simulation engine and the software will provide detailed reports for building performance and benchmarks based on the method of simulation.

EnergyGauge Summit FlaCom is a limited version of EnergyGauge Summit that is used for Florida commercial building code compliance. Screen Shots

Keywords

Building simulation, energy simulation, building energy modeling, ASHRAE Standard 90.1, commercial code compliance, LEED NC 2.2 EA Credit 1, federal commercial building tax deductions, EPACT 2005 qualified software, Florida code compliance, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Appendix G, DOE 2.1E, AHSRAE advanced building design guidelines, automatic reference building generation, automatic EA Credit 1 PDF generation, buildings research

Validation/Testing

Software has been validated using the ‘ASHRAE Standard 140 – Standard Method of test for Building Simulation Software’. It is listed on the DOE Web site as qualified software for computing Federal Tax Deductions as per EPACT 2005 (see link above).

Expertise Required

Minimal computer literacy and basic understanding of building construction and design.

Users

Over 3,500 users in Florida and nationally (U.S.).

Audience

Energy modelers, green building engineers, commercial building designers, energy raters, mechanical engineers, HVAC designers, architects, consulting engineers, research agencies, code compliance specialists, and code officials.

Input

Via user-friendly forms with graphical tools to specify building orientation, calendar information, etc. Data for building location, HVAC zones and spaces within zones, envelope elements (like walls, roofs, floors, and fenestration), lighting, HVAC systems, hot water inputs, plant information and piping specifications are required as user input. Master libraries for constructs and materials, fenestration data, etc. make user input easy and flexible. Components are easily managed through a tree hierarchy visible on the left part of the screen.

Output

Detailed reports provide compliance status, calculated performance against various benchmarks, points earned (for LEED calculations) and building energy use by component.

Computer Platform

Windows XP or Vista

Programming Language

Visual Basic

Strengths

Easy, intuitive user interface; Versatile tool ranging from code compliance for Florida energy code and ASHRAE Standard 90.1 to whole building simulation for various performance benchmarks like LEED and ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Appendix G; Automatic generation of ASHRAE reference building from proposed building input; Automatic rotation of reference building in all 4 orientations when running LEED or ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Appendix G; Automatic generation and submission of PDF report to the USGBC Web site that is required to claim Energy & Atmosphere (EA) Credit 1 points for LEED certification; Detailed, uncluttered reporting format for simulation results; Comprehensive Web site and phone availability for technical support; User forums and knowledge base for FAQ’s also available.

Weaknesses

No graphical or interoperability available for import of DWG or other formats; Should not be used for HVAC sizing; Requires detailed understanding of building simulation concepts for debugging technical issues involving DOE2.1E simulation engine results.

Contact

Availability

Software can be ordered by phone or Internet. Please visit: www.energygauge.com for details of licensing fees.

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