Before performing energy optimization of a detailed architectural model, prepare the model to ensure that the resulting energy model is as complete and accurate as possible.
Perform the following steps in the order listed. Details for each step are provided in the sections below.
When they are set to room-bounding, Revit uses the following elements to create the energy model:
To isolate elements
For more information, see About Creating Energy Models from Architectural Elements.
Maximize the accuracy of the energy model and minimize processing time by making adjustments to the architectural model.
For example, you may use floors to model roads or paths, or walls for landscaping.
This step omits these elements from the energy model creation process.
This step helps to minimize processing time required to create the energy model. For more information, see About the Energy Model Creation Process.
To create an energy model from an architectural model, the building elements must be reasonably enclosed. The model does not need to be watertight. Small gaps and overlaps are natural part of real architectural models. They are expected and allowed during the creation of the energy model.
However, if an entire roof is missing over a space or a wall is missing or a large gap exists (greater than one to two times the Analytical Space Resolution setting), the issue should be addressed.
Not all gaps are easily spotted. Don't expect to find them all in this step. Just check for anything obvious.
When you are satisfied that the model is reasonably enclosed, go to Step 4: Create the energy model and assess the results.
A message explains that creating the energy model may take considerable time, during which Revit is unavailable. For more information, see About the Energy Model Creation Process.
When the energy model is ready, the 3D Energy Model view displays it.
Shade surfaces occur when any Revit architectural element (or part of it) lies outside the main paths of building heat transfer, such as the parapet of a wall or the overhang of a roof. All shade surfaces should be present only where they make sense.
Pay attention to elements whose Room Bounding property is disabled. These elements are not considered during the creation of the energy model, so they may be the cause of the incorrect shades.
After ensuring that the energy model contains all required analytical spaces and that all analytical surfaces are located where appropriate, examine the energy model itself for gaps between elements.
Small gaps between energy model elements are expected and do not have a negative impact on the analysis. If these gaps are large, however, or reasonable sections of the building are not fully captured, you must increase the Analytical Space Resolution and Analytical Surface Resolution settings. This change increases processing time. It may also uncover more gaps or omissions in the architectural model.
For more information, see About Spaces in the Energy Model and About Surfaces in the Energy Model.
Keep these parameters in a ratio of roughly 2:1. The minimum values are 6" and 3" (152.4 and 76.2 mm). Resolution settings of 8" and 4" (203.2 and 101.6 mm) are typically effective for most detailed architectural models.
For example, in the image below, #1 shows the initial energy model, and #2 shows the improved energy model that results after addressing identified issues.