Specify Energy Analysis Settings

1. Click Manage tabSettings panel Project Information.
2. In the Instance Properties dialog, click the Energy Settings Edit button. In the Energy Settings dialog, do the following:
   • Building Type - specifies the type of building according to the gbXML schema 0.37 (similar to ASHRAE).
   • Location - specifies the geographic location and weather for the project. Click , and in the Manage Place and Locations dialog, specify the location and weather. See Specifying the Project Location.

     You can specify location by selecting a city or by entering longitude and latitude values. The location establishes the climate and temperatures used in loads calculation.

   • Ground Plane - specifies the level that serves as the ground level reference for the building. Surfaces below this level are considered to be underground. The default level is zero.
   • Export Category - determines whether rooms or spaces are exported. Selecting rooms or spaces determines which options below are available.
   • Export Complexity - specifies the level of detail provided for openings, and whether shading surface information is exported. Shading surfaces are surfaces that are not adjacent to any space, and include surfaces that create a solar obstruction. Only used with Export gbXML. Simple complexity is used for heating and cooling loads analysis.
     • Simple - curtain walls and curtain systems are exported as a single opening (without individual panels). Simple is more appropriate for energy analysis.
     • Simple with shading surfaces - same as simple, but with shading surface information exported.
     • Complex - curtain walls and curtain systems are exported as multiple openings, panel by panel.
     • Complex with shading surfaces - same as complex, but with shading surface information exported.
     • Complex with mullions and shading surfaces - same as complex, but with mullion and shading surface information exported.
   • Include Thermal Properties - If Export Category is set to rooms, select this option to export thermal properties to gbXML.
   • Project Phase - specifies the stage of construction (Existing, New Construction).
     Note: The project phase must correspond to the phase for all the zones and spaces in the building model in order to analyze the heating and cooling demands of the entire model. Otherwise, only those zones and spaces that have phases that correspond to the project phase will be analyzed.
   • Sliver Space Tolerance - specifies the tolerance for areas that will be considered sliver spaces. See Accounting for the Volume of Cavities, Shafts, and Chases.
     Note: Sliver spaces and the zones associated with sliver spaces display (as shaded) in the analytical model in the Heating and Cooling Loads dialog. This is because sliver spaces are analyzed during a heating and cooling loads analysis, and the analytical model displays all areas that are analyzed during a heating and cooling loads analysis. Sliver spaces do not display in plan or section views.

   If Export Category is set to spaces, the following options are available:

   • Building Service - specifies the heating and cooling systems for the building.
   • Building Construction - specifies the type of constructions. Click to open the Building Construction Dialog, where you can specify the constructions for the <Building> construction type parameter.

     These constructions specify the construction materials that define the stated U-value for the constructions. When using the Heating and Cooling Loads dialog to run a loads report, you can also adjust the building constructions.

     Note: <Building> is the default construction type parameter. You cannot rename or delete it. However, you can create a new construction type parameter by modifying the space properties or using the Heating and Cooling Loads dialog.
   • Building Infiltration Class - specifies an estimate of outdoor air that enters the building through walls.
     • Loose - 0.076 cfm/sqft
     • Medium - 0.038 cfm/sqft
     • Tight - 0.019 cfm/sqft
     • None - Infiltration is excluded from the calculation of loads.
   • Export Default Values - determines whether certain default values will be exported. When checked, the default values for People and Electrical Loads, Occupancy, Lighting, and Power Schedules, and building/space type Construction Types are exported together with all user specified values. When cleared, only user-specified values are exported. Only used with Export gbXML.
   • Report Type: Specifies the level of information provided in the heating and cooling loads report. You can specify Simple, Standard, or Detailed for Report Type.
   • Click OK.
3. In the Instance Properties dialog, click OK.