One of the keys to fast and successful energy optimization is the automatic creation of a complete and accurate energy model directly from an architectural model.
This approach means that no special model authoring is required for analysis. It works with a variety of modeling styles and levels of detail.
To take advantage of this approach, you need to understand the range of modeling styles and practices supported, how Revit translates architectural model elements into energy model elements, and what makes accurate and reliable energy model geometry.
While architectural modeling practices vary widely, Revit offers 3 approaches for automatically generating an energy model from an architectural model.
- Massing. This method is the simplest and yet one of the most effective ways to use Revit to optimize energy for a building design. It is recommended for the earliest stages in the design process or when just getting started. However, this method is not limited to conceptual design. It can also provide an effective method for detailed design and existing buildings when time is limited.
- Mixed Design. Ideally, Energy Optimization for Revit should be used early and often: from the earliest stages in design to schematic design to design development, where decisions are made about the design and placement of windows, curtain walls, shading, and spaces. Throughout this process, you are continuously targeting and driving towards better energy performance. This method can use a combination of massing elements and detailed architectural elements. It acknowledges the widely varying nature of real architectural modeling in Revit, and it helps provide a full appreciation of how automatic energy model creation works.
- Detailed Architectural Model. If desired, you can start Energy Optimization for Revit with a detailed architectural model. For this method, follow a few simple steps to ensure that the energy model is as complete and accurate as possible. Because most detailed models evolve over time, you will find it useful to understand many of the concepts in the Mixed Design approach.
To automatically generate an energy model from the Revit architectural model, use this tool. For details about each method of automatic energy model creation, read the related topics listed below.
- Analyze tab
Energy Optimization panel
(Create Energy Model)
Deleting the energy model
The energy model does not regenerate with the architectural model. After you create the energy model in the Revit project, the icon changes to Delete Energy Model, which you can use to remove the existing energy model. When you select Create Energy Model again, a new energy model is created.