Energy Modeling

Denver Federal Courthouse, Denver, Colorado

Architectural Energy Corporation has been using energy modeling techniques to provide clients energy use and energy cost forecasting information for over 25 years. Using various energy modeling techniques, AEC can determine the choice of building parameters that improve energy efficiency while maintaining thermal comfort and cost-effectiveness. By providing simple or increasingly detailed description of a building design or alternative design options, accurate estimates of the proposed building's energy consumption, interior environmental conditions and energy operation cost can be obtained.

AEC primarily uses DOE-2 software to perform energy modeling simulations. DOE-2 is a sophisticated building energy simulation model for predicting annual energy performance for buildings. DOE-2 predicts the hourly energy use and energy cost of a building given hourly weather information and a description of the building and its HVAC equipment and utility rate structure.

AEC (then Eley Associates) developed VisualDOE to reduce the time required to perform accurate energy simulations. VisualDOE uses the powerful DOE-2 simulation engine to allow users to evaluate energy and demand impacts of design alternatives. The program covers major building systems, including building envelope, lighting, daylighting, service water heating, HVAC and central plant. VisualDOE runs on PCs with the Microsoft Windows platform. The program is targeted for architects, engineers, MEP firms, energy consultants, utilities, national laboratories, universities, energy service companies, HVAC equipment manufacturers, and building product manufacturers.

Through expert energy modeling, AEC's Sustainable Design Assistance Team is able to suggest improvements to the efficiency of architectural, mechanical, and electrical designs by performing such activities as:

Comparing energy impacts of various mechanical air distribution strategies throughout a facility.
Informing building envelope performance design criteria and design decisions.
Evaluating benefits of energy efficiency measures integrated into the building.