Model Construction for multiple simulations

[porourke]

Hello all,

I am building a model of my domestic dwelling to run heat loss calculations and energy requirements. I am also taking real-time readings within the dwelling in order to "prove" the model. I then need to substitute different construction materials for walls, floor, roof, insulation, etc (e.g. different insulation materials, light weight blocks, hemp-crete walls, insulated concrete form) to establish the different performance of the new materials. my experience with VE is limited -- my knowledge is based on youtube tutorials and reading.

My questions are:
can I use the initial model (my base line proven model) and "switch" the construction characteristics of the walls and foundations etc in the building template manager to suite my requirements??
I understand that running the Apachesim will override the files each time -- can these be saved separately or data exported
or
would it be better practice to use different separate projects (models) to evaluate the materials??

I am not specifically concerned with temperatures within each room (but I have drawn each room with windows and internal doors etc.) is there a facility to treat the rooms as one complete room (connect the spaces and run the simulation??)

I am concerned with the heat loss through the building envelope and the required energy to heat the house as a whole.

should I just create a model with one room?? will this give practical results??

this is a research Project for an MSC - due in March

Any direction will be greatly appreciated - thank you

Paul

PS ---Any VE users in Sligo, Galway, Donegal area.

[farahghanem]

Hi,

Yes you can change the construction types assigned to your model freely. To do so, go to Apache, click on Apache construction database manager. In here you can add whatever constructions you wish to test to the project file. Once that is done, assign the constructions to your model.

You can run different simulations without overwriting the results of the previous sim. This can be done by changing the name of the simulation file. In the dialogue box that opens when you start the dynamic simulation, at the top where it says "Result File:" just type in a different name (for example: Sim 01, Sim 02...etc).

Lastly, if the entire building is meant to be conditioned (you do not have any unconditioned zones), and you are only interested to account for external heat gains/losses and not the internal heat gains resulting from lighting/receptacles/occupancy then yes you can create just a single room for your model to calculate the TOTAL heat gain/loss through the envelope. However, adding thermal zones would give you more realistic results as you would be factoring in the effect of partitions, air flow (if macro is enabled)...etc

[porourke]

Farahghanem,

Thank you for your time and reply - I appreciate your help.

POR