The Energy Analyzer II web application was built for McQuay to demonstrate the energy impacts of specific HVAC choices. The application is a “high-fidelity” virtual modeling tool used to compare how different HVAC systems would operate in the same building.
First, the application helps a user create a virtual building that is as similar as possible to the planned building. Just enough building data is requested so that a realistic HVAC system can be constructed. This “low-fidelity” building has the same square footage, space use types, occupation scheduled, and number of floors. Space type affinity (the types of space that tend to be next to other types of spaces) is used to create the building model. Then, multiple HVAC systems are configured for that same building and simulations are run to show which system has the best cost/performance ratio.
The user interface is highly flexible and can run a simulation using default settings gleaned from 30+ years of simulation data. A combination of historical simulation data and onsite measurement and verification data was used to increase the accuracy of the HVAC virtual system being modeled. Another feature added in EA II was the creation of an interactive representation of the HVAC system as it is built.
Though the actual building is approximated, the energy simulations are highly accurate when used as a comparison of HVAC systems. EAII doesn’t claim to predict actual use, it predicts how decisions in the HVAC system will affect the total energy use. EA II is a unique hybrid approach to advanced energy analysis.
The McQuay Energy Analyzer II site is not available to the general public. Please contact The Weidt Group for a demonstration.