EP3 Solutions

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How to View the EP3 Toolbar

After installation of EP3, go to View => Toolbars, and select EP3 from the list to view it. The EP3 toolbar can be positioned by clicking and dragging the dark bar at the top.

clicking any of the buttons in the EP3 toolbar will start EP3 in this instance of Sketchup. Starting EP3 will have the following effect:

  • For new models – the EP3 wizard will start
  • For existing models – EP3 will load all information about the file. We do not recommend interacting with the building geometry or HVAC systems diagrams prior to starting EP3.

EP3 Button

The EP3 button will open a dialog showing EEM and model settings:

  • ⧉ (Reference Objects) – toggle whether reference objects are visible.
  • Units (SI / IP): – this switches EP3 globally between IP and SI Units
  • EEMs – the dropdown box allows the user to switch between EEMs (Energy Efficiency Measures)
  • + EEM / – EEM – allows adding and removing Energy Efficiency Measures to the model
  • Δ EEM Name – Allows changing the name of an EEM
  • Δ EEM Bases – Each EEM is can inherit properties from other EEMs. This button allows changing the order in which EEMs are applied. See the help page dedicated to EEMs for more information.
  • ↕ EEM Order – Allows changing the order in which EEMs are displayed. This will change the order in which they are displayed in the dropdown menu, as well as in the results.
  • View Results – opens the EP3 results viewer
  • ⚙ – Settings – opens the EP3 settings viewer, which shows EP3 and model settings
  • Help – opens the EP3 website

View Schedules, Loads, etc

Objects that do not have a direct physical representation are shown in the Schedules and Internal Loads Dialog. This is where you’ll find:

  • Performance Curves
  • Simulation Parameters
    • Run Periods
    • SimulationControl
    • Sizing Periods
  • Internal Loads
    • Space and Zone Templates
    • If Space and Zone Templates are not used:
      • Lights
      • People
      • Thermostat
      • ElectricEquipment
      • Infiltration
      • WaterUse:Equipment (for modeling service water heating uses)
  • Schedules
  • Materials

Selected Object Information

Objects that have a direct physical representation are shown in the Selected Object dialog.

Information about these objects will be updated when you select a new object in the 3D space, or when you select an object from the outliner.

Constructions

The Constructions Dialog gives you access to all constructions within EP3. From this dialog you can change colors, create new constructions, remove constructions and convert a Sketchup Material (including it’s name and color) to an EP3 Construction.

More details: Constructions

Building Geometry

The Building Geometry button will bring you into View Building Geometry Mode and will also open the Building Geometry Outliner.

More details: Building Geometry

Scale Object

Scale Object is a simple tool that can be used to scale any SketchUp object to a known dimension. To use the tool:

  • Select one SketchUp object and an edge that represents the known dimension. In this case, I have a jpg file that I imported, and an edge (circled in yellow) selected.
  • Click Scale Object (circled in red)
  • Enter the known length in the dialog box. You can enter feet and inches as: 57′ 4″, or using meters: 17.5m
  • When you click OK, the SketchUp object will be scaled and the edge will be erased

Importing IDF Files and IDF Snippets

The Importer allows the user to:

  • Import complete IDF or portions of IDF files (Import IDF File)
  • Paste IDF snippets (Paste Elements)
  • Import templates – this allows you to import internal loads, constructions, service water heating or HVAC system templates into an existing model.
  • Directly select and import an EnergyPlus example file

Export / Simulate

When you’re ready to simulate your files, EP3 will export each selected EEM to an IDF file. EP3 gives you the option to export only or to export and simulate files. You may also use this dialog to choose existing EnergyPlus (IDF) files to simulate.

The first time you simulate within EP3, you will be asked to point EP3 to EnergyPlus.exe on your computer.

If you have not yet selected a weather file for your project, you will be asked to select a weather file. Weather files for locations around the world can be found here.

HVAC

The View HVAC & Outliner button will bring you to the HVAC View mode. The diagram shown is from importing the 5ZoneAirCooled.idf example file that comes with the EnergyPlus installation.

More details: HVAC