by Brianna Crandall — August 27, 2014—DesignBuilder Software Ltd has released Version 4 of its popular whole-building energy simulation program “DesignBuilder.” Version 4 adds a substantial set of new features and improvements oriented to the different but overlapping needs of architects and engineers.
DesignBuilder software provides data to building designers on energy consumption, carbon emissions, occupant comfort, and daylight availability, as well as the status of the building with regard to several national building regulations and certification standards. Leading services engineers and energy modelers across the world use DesignBuilder to gain an insight into the impact of their design strategies on building environmental performance.
The new DesignBuilder Packages for Architects ensure that designs meet performance targets at the early design stages by providing accurate and reliable energy and daylighting performance data. The Architectural simulation packages allow architects to link with BIM (building information modeling) solutions, analyze solar shading, maximize the use of renewable technologies and test façade options in one comprehensive software program.
The new DesignBuilder Packages for Engineers consist of an integrated set of high-productivity tools to assist with the integration of mechanical systems within sustainable buildings design. Various design scenarios for heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and controls, façades, lighting, and renewable technologies can be evaluated with relative ease, says the company.
Using drag-and-drop air and water components, HVAC systems can be constructed within DesignBuilder from scratch. Additionally, pre-defined HVAC templates, auto-sizing and zone grouping features save significant input time compared to competing products. The most commonly used EnergyPlus HVAC system types are readily available, including all ten ASHRAE 90.1 baseline HVAC systems.
New features available as modules in release Version 4 include:
- ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G compatibility – ASHRAE 90.1 for 2007 and 2010 including constructions, materials, glazing systems, activities, lighting, and HVAC systems for both LEED certification and IRS tax credits.
- Optimization – helps identify design options with the very best combinations of cost, energy and comfort performance.
- Cost – calculate the economic impact various building designs using construction cost, utility tariffs and life-cycle analysis.
All DesignBuilder packages provide sensitivity analyses at the click of a button. High-quality technical and rendered outputs help communicate findings to clients in a way they can easily understand. Key performance indicators such as energy consumption, carbon emissions, thermal comfort, daylight availability and cost can be provided throughout the design process in both naturally ventilated and air-conditioned buildings.
Dr. Andy Tindale, founder and CEO of DesignBuilder, explains, “The new functionality provided by Version 4 really is a step-change in DesignBuilder’s energy and comfort modeling capabilities. Some major improvements to the modeler further enhance our existing strengths in the ability to create and edit geometry quickly and easily. The improved BIM import; enhanced LEED and ASHRAE 90.1 capability; new HVAC systems such as ground source heat pumps; tariff analysis; Simulation Manager for running parallel simulations, and Optimisation for multi-objective cost benefit analysis have helped to strengthen our position as the leading interface to EnergyPlus.”
The DesignBuilder software is distributed throughout the world by a network of reseller partners.
