Synopsis
This ECOTECT tutorial explains how to calculate and display monthly loads for naturally ventilated zones in an ECOTECT model.
If you wish to know how to calculate loads for naturally ventilated zones, please refer to the Calculate Heating and Cooling Loads tutorial.
Duration
You will need about 15 minutes to complete this tutorial.
Training and Accreditation
Successfully completing this tutorial fulfills one of the practical skills required for completing Level 1 of the Thermal Analysis and Energy training module.
Resources Required
To complete this tutorial, open the SimpleThermalModel.eco file located in the Examples folder of your Ecotect installation.
Tutorial
Calculating Monthly Loads
- Open the SimpleThermalModel.eco file in ECOTECT. The example file consists of a three thermal zone model.
The SimpleThermalModel.eco file. - Click on the Analysis tab, and display the Thermal Analysis panel. In the Thermal Calculation section, select the Monthly Loads/Discomfort option from the drop-down list box.
- Accept the default settings, then click the Calculate button. This will generate a graph similar to the following:
The Monthly Loads/Discomfort Graph.
Analysing Monthly Loads Data
- The monthly loads/discomfort graph displays the relative level of thermal discomfort likely to be experienced in a zone over an entire year. The red bars represent the proportion of time considered to be too hot, while the blue bars represent when it is too cool.
- You can select which zone to analyse using the drop-down list box in the Highlight Zone section, as well as configure the zone properties and/or project location. Click the Calculate button to update the graph.
Specify the zone to display and then click the Calculate button to update the graph.
Displaying Monthly Loads Data
- Use the Comfort Data section of the Thermal Analysis panel to manipulate how the monthly loads data is displayed and calculated. The first drop-down list box allows you to select how the monthly loads are calculated:
Use this drop down list to adjust the comfort data algorithm used.- Flat Comfort Bands: uses the upper and lower temperature bands configured for a zone, where values falling outside of this range are deemed too hot or cool respectively.
- Thermal Neutrality: calculated air temperature at which the majority of people will deem neither too hot or cool.
- Adaptive: Free Run|Average: allows for human behavioural responses to thermal discomfort, such as putting on/taking off clothing and opening/closing windows. See the ECOTECT Help file for more information on how adaptive comfort algorithms are calculated.
- The second drop-down list box allows you to adjust how monthly loads/discomfort values are displayed. There are three display options:
Use this drop-down list box to adjust how the values are totalled.- Degree Hours: weights each hour of discomfort by the number of degrees outside the comfort range.
- Percentage of Time: number of hours outside of the specified comfort range, divided by the total number of hours.
- Total Hours: total number of hours spent outside of the specified comfort range.
- Lastly, it is also possible to view the actual monthly load/discomfort values using the text box to the right of the Thermal Analysis control panel.
DISCOMFORT DEGREE HOURS
Zone: Zone 1
Zone is not air-conditioned.
Occupancy: Weekdays 00-24, Weekends 00-24.
Comfort: Band = 18.0 - 26.0 C
TOO HOT TOO COOL TOTAL
MONTH (DegHrs) (DegHrs) (DegHrs)
------ --------- --------- ---------
Jan 828 0 828
Feb 2179 1 2180
Mar 728 3 730
Apr 200 14 214
May 2 355 357
Jun 0 1436 1436
Jul 0 1779 1779
Aug 2 981 983
Sep 27 555 582
Oct 129 44 174
Nov 784 19 803
Dec 773 0 773
------ --------- --------- ---------
TOTAL 5653.4 5186.2 10839.6