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Web suite of building energy simulators that model energy, comfort, and daylighting performance, and give estimates of the long-term cost of utilities. The simulations restrict flexibility in order to offer users greater ease-of-use and speed. The tool can be quickly mastered by non-technical designers, and runs fast enough to allow them the scope to experiment with many different versions of a design during a single sitting. The immediate feedback that the site provides makes it useful in the conceptual phase of design, when architects cannot afford to invest large amounts of time to rule out any particular idea. The emphasis of the energy model is on the envelope system of the building, and includes simulations of high-technology windows such as double-skin facades. Energy-load estimates are based on a library of climate data for 30 different cities around the world.
Keywords
whole-building, energy, comfort, natural ventilation, double-skin facade
Validation/Testing
Validated against EnergyPlus with results within 15%. Testing results not yet available on web site.
Expertise Required
None
Users
More than 1400 unique users over the first six months. More than Approximately 1400 individual IP addresses logged in during the last 6 months. More than 8-10 new users per day.
Audience
architects, planners, building contractors
Input
Using text fields and buttons only.
Output
Output is in the form of graphs showing monthly and yearly energy consumption, graded color charts depicting comfort zones in a room, 3-D perspective images showing daylighting effects, and a text-based page showing a comprehensive listing of inputs and outputs.
Computer Platform
Web-based
Programming Language
Java, HTML and JavaScript
Strengths
Accuracy within 10-15%, to be used as an approximate tool for comparing early building design concepts.
Weaknesses
Difficult to fine-tune when a building is beyond early design concepts.
Contact
Company: |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Address: |
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Room 3-412
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
United States |
Telephone: |
+1 (617) 452-2286 |
E-mail: |
scribble@mit.edu |
Website: |
http://designadvisor.mit.edu |
Availability
Freely available as a real-time simulator on the web.
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