When you use the Create Energy Model tool to create an energy model based on building elements, Revit creates 3 views to help you understand the geometry of the analytical model.
- 3D Energy Model
- Analytical Spaces
- Analytical Surfaces
Use these views as follows:
- Before submitting the energy model for an energy simulation, examine the views to make sure the model is well defined and accurately reflects your intent.
- When an energy simulation returns unexpected results, use the views to troubleshoot issues with the model. Consider modifying the model and adjusting the parameters for Analytical Space Resolution and Analytical Surface Resolution. See Troubleshooting: Energy Analysis.
3D Energy Model
When you click Create Energy Model, Revit creates the energy model and displays it in a 3D view named 3D Energy Model. The view is listed in the Project Browser under 3D Views.
The 3D Energy Model view uses settings in the Visibility/Graphics dialog to hide some categories of building elements and to apply 50% transparency to other model categories, such as floors and roofs. The view also displays analytical spaces and analytical surfaces laid over the building elements.
Use the view to understand how Revit interpreted the building elements to create the energy model. You can pan, zoom, and rotate the energy model to examine it closely. In addition to the building elements in the model, you can see and select the following types of elements:
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Analytical Surfaces: Energy Analysis Surface
In the energy model, select one of these elements and, on the Properties palette, check the Surface Type parameter to make sure it was interpreted correctly. For example, make sure that an analytical surface based on a wall has the correct surface type of Interior Wall or Exterior Wall, as appropriate.
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Analytical Spaces: Energy Analysis Space
In the energy model, select one of these elements and, on the Properties palette, check the Room Name parameter to see the defined room that it represents. If no Room Name is listed, the analytical space was defined by analytical surfaces. Check its volume and area to make sure they are appropriately sized.
To enhance your understanding of the energy model, create duplicate views of the 3D Energy Model view and adjust the Visibility/Graphics settings. In one duplicate view, for example, you may want to hide all model elements (clear the Visibility check boxes for all items listed on the Model Categories tab) and display only analytical spaces (listed on the Analytical Categories tab). In another duplicate view, you can hide model elements and display only analytical surfaces. (See Specify Element Category Visibility.) Examine these views to identify areas where the building model can be improved to better support energy analysis or to troubleshoot the source of issues with the analysis results.
| Analytical spaces in the energy model | Analytical surfaces in the energy model |
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Analytical Spaces
The Analytical Spaces view is a schedule that lists the individual analytical spaces in the energy model. These spaces were created for the energy model based on defined rooms in the building model and Revit elements that are room-bounding.
The schedule lists the area and volume of each space, as well as the total area and volume of the entire model. If an analytical space is based on a room, the room name is also listed.
Review the schedule, looking for the following:
- unexpectedly large or small spaces
- rooms whose area or volume is larger or smaller than expected
- total area and volume that are larger or smaller than expected
To examine a particular analytical space, select it in the schedule and use the Highlight in Model tool to see it in the 3D Energy Model view.
Analytical Surfaces
The Analytical Surfaces view is a schedule that lists the individual analytical surfaces in the energy model. These surfaces were created for the energy model based on analytical spaces.
The schedule lists the area of each surface, the number of surfaces of that size, and the opening type (such as door or window) or the surface type (such as interior wall, exterior wall, roof, shade, ceiling, or slab).
Review the schedule, looking for the following:
- unexpectedly large or small surfaces
- surface types or opening types that do not match your expectations
- a total analytical surface area that is larger or smaller than expected
To examine a particular analytical surface, select it in the schedule and use the Highlight in Model tool to see it in the 3D Energy Model view.