eQuest

Quick Energy Simulation

Tool

Main Points
eQuest is a tool from the Department of Energy.
http://www.doe2.com/eQUEST/
It takes the difficult interface of the more
common and helpful DOE-2 and simplifies it.
The learning curve with eQuest is much smaller
than with the DOE-2 program.
eQuest is able to model a multilevel building and
all the different loads.

Energy Conservation
eQuest has a function where Energy
Efficiency Measures* can be created and
manipulated to see the resulting changes
to a model.
eQuest also has a life cycle cost analysis
tool for each EEM applied to the model.

* EEM is another name for ECM, or Energy Conservation Measure

ESCO Analysis
eQuest also has the opportunity to input
several different utility bill rates and
structures to find the annual cost
difference for changing ESCOs.
Utility rates can be complicated, and
eQuest is equipped to handle the most
complex billing structures.

eQuest Main Menu

Building Creation Wizard

The opening
Design
Development
Wizard has several
options:
Project/Site/Utilit
y
Edit Building Shell
Edit Air-Side System
HW Plant
Equipment

Project/Site/Utility
The first things that eQuest requests from the user
is:
Building address,
Typical time table, and
Utility rate structure.

Project/Site/Utility
The first things that eQuest requests from the user
is:
Building address,
Typical time table, and
Utility rate structure.

Utility Charges
(both Gas and Electric)
Utility bills can be
complex with a
multitude of charges.
eQuest allows for the
user to input:

A standard fixed rate

A blocked charge rate
Customer charges
Demand rates
Combined rates

Developing the Model

The opening
Design
Development
Wizard has several
options:
Project/Site/Utility
Edit Building
Shell
Edit Air-Side System
HW Plant
Equipment

Building Shell Components

The building is constructed by first giving the program several

values:
Building Type,
A rough estimate of the area,
The number of floors, both above grade and below,

Building Footprint
The total building area can be laid out and
ploted using a simple CAD drawing
Zones can also be plotted by whatever
boundaries the user specifies.

Building Envelope
Construction
Walls and roofs can be modified by selected form
a list of components:

Frame type and O.C. specifications

Exterior finish
Exterior and Interior insulation
Additional insulation, commonly batt insulation

The ground floor can be constructed similarily

from lists of components:

Exposure, such as Earth Contact or Adiabatic Space

Interior finish
Construction, such as slab thickness
Exterior insulation

Infiltration is also specified on this input screen

Building Envelope
Construction

Interior Construction: Walls,

Ceilings, Doors and

Walls & Ceilings:
Windows

Insulation and finishes can be specified for interior

surfaces

Doors:
Up to three different types of doors can be specified
Doors can be glass, opaque or numerous other types
Once a type of door is selected, materil components can
then be selected as well

Frame type and width

Number of doors per exterior wall
This will be omitted for our design for now

Interior Construction: Walls,

Ceilings, Doors and

Windows:
Windows

Up to three different types of windows can be

selected
Once a type of window, materials can be
chosen, ranging from single pane to triple pane
windows
Each window can have a specific size, frame
type and width
Windows can be placed on exterior walls by
giving a percentage of the wall that is window
This will be omitted as well

Custom Window and

Door Placement
Windows and doors in our analysis will be
placed in a custom arrangement.
This gives the design a wider range of window
sizes than with the preset sizes.
It also allows us to place the doors on the
appropriate exterior surface.

Custom Window and

Door Placement

Several Other Options

Blinds can be applied to a set of windows or to
one side of the building, as in the case of the
Willet Center.
Blinds can be set to partial visibility or full
transparency

Shades and overhangs can be applied to any

window
Roof skylights may be applied to different zones
to help customize a building.
A typical operation schedule can be given with
opening and closing times.

Activity Areas Allocation

Areas of the building can be designated as a
specific type.
An area percentage is given for each type
A ventilation requirement for each area

Areas are then given

a core or perimeter
assignment.
Occupancy Profile

Zone Group Definitions

Now that each area is defined, each area is
assigned to a HVAC system and a zone
This is done based on percentage of area that
system covers

Non-HVAC End-uses
Many different end-uses can be
chosen at this point, both internal and
external
Ambient, task and exterior lighting
Different equipment
Pumps
Motors
Domestic
hot water

Lighting Loads and Profiles

Once lighting is chosen as an end-use, a new
screen and inputs becomes available
Each area is given a power per area (W/sqft) of lighting
An hourly profile can also be described

Profiles

Developing the Model

The opening
Design
Development
Wizard has
several options:
Project/Site/Utility
Edit Building Shell
Edit Air-Side
System
HW Plant
Equipment

HVAC Systems
Once the HVAC system is given a name, it
can begin to be defined
A cooling and
heating source
is selected
System type and
assignment to
different zones is
selected

Temperatures and Air Flows

This page allows the
user to select
thermostat points
for cooling and
heating.
Occupied and
unoccupied
Design Temperatures

A minimum air flow

is also given

Packaged Equipment
This is where the
heating and cooling
elements are given
specifications
The loads of the
equipment and the
efficiency can both
be entered
(heating is requested, but not
present in this screenshot)

System Fans
The only system fan for our model is the
supply fans that are built-in the two
rooftop units
Power, efficiency, fan flow and outside air
ratios

Other Specifications
Fan Schedule
Operating times during occupancy
Night time run option
Continuous run time or intermittent

HVAC Zone Heating, Vents and Economizers

Zone heating for the exhibit is baseboard
heating
There are no vents in our model
An economizer can be selected to run with the
RTU to help minimize energy costs

Developing the Model

The opening
Design
Development
Wizard has
several options:
Project/Site/Utility
Edit Building Shell
Edit Air-Side
System
HW Plant
Equipment

Heating Primary Equipment

The heating system type is first selected
Number of boilers and pumps
The configuration

The boiler specifications can then be selected.

HW System Control and

Schedule
The maximum and
minimum set
temperatures for
the boilers can be
selected here
Schedules for
typical run time for
the boilers are also
given

Now that the construction

of the model is done

eQuest Main Menu

Energy Efficiency Wizard

The EEM wizard is used by selecting a
component to adjust, such as wall insulation
The program also includes a Life Cycle Cost analysis

Energy Efficiency Wizard

The EEM Run Details wizard allows the
user to change the specification, in this
case the insulation values of the wall

eQuest Main Menu

Simulated Building
Performance
The program is equipped to handle
multiple EEMs and a baseline.
It is able to calculate daily values for
energy consumption based on the building
and the HVAC system inputs.
It downloads weather data history from the
internet.

Once the simulation is performed, several

reports are available