Revit and Energy Codes

[Scott Hopkins]

Has anyone successfully used Revit to export data in a format that can be used with energy code software? More specifically I am looking for a Revit template that makes various schedules listing all of the required information to enter into energy code software.

As a side note: California users of Revit, if you do your own energy calcs, which software currently available do you think is the best for the money?

[hand471037]

I've only played around with exporting info from Revit this program:

http://www.ecotect.com/ecotect.html

I don't know if it's got the best 'bang for the buck' but it will take a Revit model, via a DXF, and allow you to study it in heat/energy terms. It won't directly read a Revit model, you'll still have to define what's what within this other software package. It also doen't automate title 24, for the software isn't californian, but I beleve it could be used to do title 24 anylisis. But it's pretty cool software in and of itself, and the basic package of it is free.

Jeffrey

[gregcashen]

As a side note: California users of Revit, if you do your own energy calcs, which software currently available do you think is the best for the money?

Hey Scott,

I have evaluated EnergyPro from Energysoft. They can be found at www.energysoft.com/

They have a good package which can be purchased in chunks based on which analysis you want to perform and whether you need residential or non-residential calcs.

Also, you can contact them to perform the calcs for you and we have found them to be extremely accurate, efficient and reasonably priced...for instance, a typical 3500sf residence would take less than a week and would cost about $350 or so.

[Scott Hopkins]

Jeffrey and Greg

Thanks for the help!

[JamesVan]

I don't know if this applies to energy code analysis in CA, but we in NY use the free programs RESCheck and COMCheck from the US Department of Energy.

http://www.energycodes.gov

I haven't tried importing data directly from Revit or DXF yet. Don't even know if it's possible with this software, just thought everyone might like to know about this site.

[wblaney]

Results from COMCheck software from DOE is required by local codes here. I'm trying to get Revit to generate schedules that I can use to transcribe, but am not having too much success. I just posted to a thread called "wall schedules" that hopefully will generate some response.

If anyone has made progress with this, I'd be grateful for any pointers.

Wes

[tmomeyer]

Has anyone successfully used Revit to export data in a format that can be used with energy code software? More specifically I am looking for a Revit template that makes various schedules listing all of the required information to enter into energy code software.

You don't specify whether this is for building envelope energy code compliance or for more in-depth whole building simulation (envelope, MEP, process loads) typically used for LEED EA credit Optimize Energy Performance.

Autodesk's proposed sustainability dashboard concept
http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/AUTODESK/110807_usgbc.htm

Building Performance Analysis Using Revit
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/building_performance_analysis_using_revit.pdf

Building Information Modeling and Green Design
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm?fileName=160501a.xml

Green Building Studio http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/software.cfm/ID=440/pagename=alpha_list
Seamlessly links architectural 3-D CAD building designs with energy analysis. Green Building Studio (GBS) enables architects to quickly calculate the operational and energy implications of early design decisions.

Buidling Simulation Listserv: http://www.gard.com/ml/bldg-sim.htm
BLDG-SIM is a mailing list for users of building energy simulation programs. Building energy simulation programs allow users to estimate the energy use and operating cost of residential, commercial and other types of buildings.

Tom

Thomas E. Momeyer, AIA, CCS

[cphubb]

What about IES Virtual Envrironment? It will take a gbxml file from Revit and do a number of enegry, lighting and LEED daylighting credit calc. A Lite version ships with Revit MEP and is available in the demo download. Give it a try.

[arqt49]

I am still waiting for version 2.0 of Designbuilder.
The software company say that new version will import gbxml (or ifc).
I tested it a year ago with it's internal modelling, but that is now out of the question (since I moved to revit).
It is a very complete package and runs on the energyplus engine.
Take a look here: http://www.designbuilder.co.uk/

[aargumaniz]

I've just read that IES has released a free tool bar that works with Revit Architecture. It will use the Revit model to compute an energy analysis. I haven't found where to download this tool yet, but you can look for yourself here,

http://www.iesve.com/content/default.asp?page=s97

[tmomeyer]

What about IES Virtual Envrironment? It will take a gbxml file from Revit and do a number of enegry, lighting and LEED daylighting credit calc. A Lite version ships with Revit MEP and is available in the demo download. Give it a try.

Check out long discussion thread "Revit and IES" at http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=54048
where you'll find lots of info including messages from Kyle Bernhardt, Revit MEP Product Manager. Difference between Revit Architectural (energy model goes out in gbxml format and then into IES) and Revit MEP (direct to IES).

Tom

Thomas E. Momeyer, AIA, CCS

[wblaney]

Anyone using IES yet? We're looking at getting a copy anyway, but if it can export a compliance check for IECC 2006 standards, that will be even more incentive to speed up purchase. Their website mentions ASHRAE 90.1 and CA Title 24, but doesn't mention IECC, which is what TX uses at the moment.

Wes

[tmomeyer]

Anyone using IES yet? We're looking at getting a copy anyway, but if it can export a compliance check for IECC 2006 standards, that will be even more incentive to speed up purchase. Their website mentions ASHRAE 90.1 and CA Title 24, but doesn't mention IECC, which is what TX uses at the moment.

Wes

Many of the states that we work in have adopted ICC/IBC codes including IECC. In IECC 2000 - 2006 versions, in the Commercial Buildings chapter, it says you can use ASHRAE 90.1 or the IECC Commercial chapter provisions. Then, you go into the Appendix in the back of IECC (using the correct state adopted edition) to see which edition of ASHRAE to use (and check TX state adoption language, state amendments, etc for info). I'm not familiar with Texas codes, so check out if there are any state amendments and maybe you'll find that compliance with ASHRAE may be OK. As to your question on IES, we're just getting going on Revit and haven't set up any energy related items to the Revit model yet. The sustainability dashboard that Autodesk is working on sounds interesting.

Tom

Thomas E. Momeyer, AIA, CCS

[wblaney]

Thanks Tom - I'll read the code a bit more closely and see what options we might have. Then there's always the uphill battle of getting the plan reviewers to look at something other than a printout with a big COMCheck title on it... That's a whole different ballgame!

[nmoore.241041]

I can tell you that you can export directly from your green buildings studio to a *.inp file....then go to http://www.doe2.com/equest/ ...this is the software that will eventually replace COMCHK. It will bring your revit model in seamlessly if everything is set right...the only problem I have run into is that I can not get the compliance analysis but to become available...it remains greyed out. If you could get that to work you could check your design 'effortlessly' haha against several standards including ashrae...which is what we use in Indiana. I am still trying to find out why it is grayed...if anyone reads this and gets it to work please let me know.

[Revitaoist]

You can download EnergyPro for free and play with it, you will need to purchase a license for $1,000 to export legitimate Energy Reports. You can export GBXML from Revit, and EnergyPro will import the GBXML with wall and fenestration areas including orientation, R-values, U-factors, and SHGC.
Download it here: http://www.energysoft.com/main/page_downloads_energypro_v5.html
The issue with energy compliance software is that it needs to be approved by the State. In California only 3 programs are approved for energy compliance reports: http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2008standards/2008_computer_prog_list.html
If you wanted to make a Revit template to manually transfer the info over, you would need to add a project parameter for orientation of walls, doors, and windows.

[Revitaoist]

..the only problem I have run into is that I can not get the compliance analysis but to become available...it remains greyed out. I am still trying to find out why it is grayed...if anyone reads this and gets it to work please let me know.

These functions will be greyed out and not available unless you purchase a license.