Ecotect thermal engine deficiencies?

[2john6]

All,

I came across the following report about Ecotect thermal engine deficiencies. Can anybody from the Ecotect team comment if this information from 2004 is still an issue?

http://www.bwk.tue.nl/bps/hensen/courseware/TUe-7S410/Part_1/ECOTECT/Overview.htm

Report:
http://www.bwk.tue.nl/bps/hensen/publications/04_plea_teaching.pdf

All the best,
John

[Mike Sealander]

John:
I'm not the expert you are looking for, but I have heard about these validation issues. I think there is recognition that Ecotect has some validation issues, and in fact is not a substitute for EnergyPlus or other modeling software out there.
We use Ecotect to compare designs, without being overly interested in quantitative results. It's more like, if I make this window bigger, what happens? When does additional roof insulation stop paying back?
Hopefully someone from the factory can chime in.

[gc.198950]

If you read the CIBSE guide from where Ecotect Thermal Calculation has taken its algorithms you will find their are only suitable for cooling load calculation, just as those documents state.
I have also found several bugs that also affect quite seriously the already imprecise thermal results (I have some posts here regarding those).
I particularly use Ecotect for visualization purposes (shadowing, radiation) and natural light studies (through radiance).
The thermal results, should only be used, in my opinion, for comparing diferent alternatives in the beggining stages of the design process.
Regards.

[David Haynes]

The thermal results, should only be used, in my opinion, for comparing diferent alternatives in the beggining stages of the design process.

I think that overall Ecotect should be used exclusively for comparing different alternatives in the schematic and design development stages of the design process. If you read through all the documents and presentations on Ectoect that the misunderstanding that you are getting 'exact' results is key.

What I am trying to say is that 'comparing different alternatives' is the strength - exact numbers not Ecotect's strength

[iam_47]

I think that overall Ecotect should be used exclusively for comparing different alternatives in the schematic and design development stages of the design process. If you read through all the documents and presentations on Ectoect that the misunderstanding that you are getting 'exact' results is key.

What I am trying to say is that 'comparing different alternatives' is the strength - exact numbers not Ecotect's strength

I think the admittance method ecotect used(ecotect even simplifed the method) need validate more, sometimes it's results are even opposite to E+ and IESVE , espcially the conditions which is with strong radiation and high thermal capability.

[glittering_gleam]

if we have to put the values manually what should we put in the boxes of thermal resistance and the box below it ,because due to some error ecomat is not picking the values automatically when i "copy all layers"