solacalc

Simulates passive solar houses by calculating heat losses and solar gains in residential buildings, using interlinked worksheets and very extensive help. Based on New Method 5000, 'solacalc' uses UK climate data to easily and quickly calculate thermal balances and financial analysis. A reference calculation concurrently offers a design comparison without solar features. A Net Present Value calculation provides economic analysis.

Keywords

passive solar, house design, building design, building services, design tools

Validation/Testing

N/A.

Expertise Required

None, but knowledge of spreadsheets and basic building thermodynamics is helpful.

Users

More than 30.

Audience

Architects, Builders, homeowners, technicians in architectural practices, utilities and research establishments.

Input

Building geometry, U values, K values or insulation specifications, heat exchanger flow rates, exterior temperatures, degree days, day lengths, transmitted solar energy, shading factors and internal gains etc. Apart from building geometry, input requirements are available for automatic insertion from internal databases.

Output

22 spreadsheet reports or graph summaries can be printed directly.

Computer Platform

PC-compatible, 386 or higher, running Windows 3.1 or Windows 95.

Programming Language

Borland Delphi.

Strengths

Easy and automated version of EU standard method for analysing buiding thermal performance on a monthly basis. Allows flexible data entry where unusual designs are to be computed. Internet connection is provided for additional data information.

Weaknesses

Currently uses European data. Doesn't provide detailed analysis.

Contact

Availability

Shareware with 30 free uses, registration $39.95 + $4 p&p. Buy online and download from the solacalc web site.

Printable Version