EP3 Solutions

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HVAC – Systems, Diagramming and Outliner

EP3’s HVAC viewer gives you access to view all HVAC objects at once – this allows visualization of all connections and relationships in one view.

Use Sketchup’s native tools to zoom and select individual objects to view details.

Selected objects are shown in bold in the outliner (on the right)

New HVAC objects can be added to the workspace using the Add HVAC Component Button.

HVAC objects that have integrated sub-components have these sub-components created automatically when the parent object is created. In this case a ZoneHVAC:FourPipeFanCoil includes the following objects:

  • Fan
  • OutdoorAir:Mixer
  • Cooling Coil
  • Heating Coil

Details about each object can be viewed by expanding or collapsing using the arrows to the left of the component (or subcomponent) name.

When added to the model, EP3 automatically populates each component and sub-component with default values for each required field. Default values are scraped from EnergyPlus example files.

In EP3, you only need one of each type of ZoneHVAC:Equipment – simply apply it to multiple zones using the Select Zone Conditiong Equipment Dialog. You may assign ZoneHVAC:Equpment based on ZoneTemplate, or assign equipment to each zone individually.

Next to each Zone or Template name is a list of the ZoneHVAC:Equipment available in the current EEM. Click them on and off, an click and drag to change the order of simulation. It is good practice to have the least controllable equipment simulated first (direct outdoor air terminals, or exhaust fans, followed by zone conditioning equipment, for example).

The order of operation for cooling and heating can be modified separately.

Once ZoneHVAC objects have been assigned to zones, viewing the object in the selected object dialog will show entries for the object itself, and custom entries for each individual object. In this case, the Fan:SysteModel for the ZoneHVAC:PackagedTerminalHeatPump in Bottom Floor 05 Office – Corridor Zone has a custom value in the Design Pressure Rise field. Values are color-coded to assist the user in identifying which values are inherited and which values are custom. The same color scheme is sued for EEMs – inherited values have a rose background, whereas values that are stored in this particular entry have a white background:

PlantLoops

When created, PlantLoops are automatically color-coded according to the loop type (Heating, Cooling or Condenser).

mousing over a branch in the outliner will highlight the branch in the diagram

All information required to simulate the PlantLoop can be viewed and edited in the selected object dialog.

Connections

Branch connections are created using the Draw Branch tool. Possible connection points are highlighted by the tool, and are updated to ensure that only compatible objects are connected.

Erase branches using the erase branch tool. Eraseable branches are highlighted when the tool is selected.

Outliner Buttons

  • Consolidate ZoneHVAC or AirLoops – this button allows you to reduce the number of objects in your model by combining ZoneHVAC or AirLoops that have similar properties. For example, for an ASRHAE 90.1 Appendix G baseline system type 7, which requires one AirLoop per floor, you can instead define one AirLoop in your model, and replicate it for each floor.
  • + PlantLoop – add a new PlantLoop to the model. The dialog boxes will help you fill in the required fields and create Plant Side equipment
  • + AirLoopHVAC – add a new AirLoopHVAC to the model.
  • + Component – add a new HVAC component to the model.
  • Erase Selected Objects – erase any selected objects in the model
  • Erase Branches – erase branches
  • View ZoneHVAC Assignments – add or remove ZoneHVAC equipment to each zone or change ZoneHVAC:Equipment simulation order.
  • Condense Equipment Spatially – automatically reduce space between components and redraw connections
  • ⦻ – Show / Hide Objects that are off in this EEM – Allows toggling of visibility of objects that may be off in the current EEM. This allows editing and changing inputs for the object. Using Manage Availability in EEMs the user can make the object available in the current EEM.
  • ↺ – Re-Draw Loop Connections – Loop connections are re-drawn automatically each time the user exits out of the HVAC view or HVAC group. This button allows the user to re-draw connections without exiting the HVAC view.
  • Draw Branch Connections – create new branch connections between components in the model
  • ⯆ & ⯈ – Expand and Collapse – Allows user to expand or collapse all categories in the HVAC outliner

Outliner Categories:

The outliner will create a category for each of the following:

  • Each AirLoopHVAC, with sub-categories for:
    • Supply Side
    • Demand Side
  • Each PlantLoop, with sub-categories for:
    • Supply Side
    • Demand Side
  • Variable Refrigerant Flow Equipment (AirConditioner:VariableRefrigerantFlow)
  • ZoneHVAC:Equipment
  • Unconnected Equipment – anything that is not covered under one of the previous categoires will be listed here

Users may notice that components show up in the outliner in multiple places. For example, in the above image, Main Heating Coil 1 is showing up in the outliner both on the Supply Side of VAV Sys 1 and on the Demand Side of Hot Water Loop

Other details about the outliner:

  • Similar components are given a similar color
  • Mousing over an object will highlight it’s location in the workspace
  • Clicking on an object in the outliner while the selected object dialog is open will select the object and allow you to edit modify the object in the selected object dialog