Table of Contents: Getting Started — EnergyPlus 25.1
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EnergyPlus Overview
What is EnergyPlus?
Why does EnergyPlus exist and what were its original goals?
EnergyPlus Documentation Library
User Information Documents
Engineering Reference Document
Application Guides
Developer Menu and Developer Information Documents
Getting Started with EnergyPlus
Running EnergyPlus
Introduction
EP-Launch Program
Start EP-Launch
Selecting Input and Weather Files
Running a Single Input File
Looking at the Results
Viewing the Drawing File without Running a Simulation
Editing the Input Files
File Menu
Edit Menu
View Menu
Command Window Options
Interface Options
Miscellaneous Options
Text Editor Options
Drawing Viewer Options
VRML Viewer Options
Spreadsheet Options
Diagramming Options
HTML Browser Options
ESO Viewer Options
PDF Viewer Options
File Association Options
Reset Options
Help Menu
Recently Used Files
Utilities Tab
Caveats
When things go wrong
Bugs
EnergyPlus File Extensions
Input Files
IDD
idf
imf
ini
epw
Primary Output Files
err
csv
htm/html
Other Output Files
audit
eso
mtr
mtd
eio
rdd
mdd
dxf
Tutorial Example for running EnergyPlus
Running EnergyPlus, Building Envelope, Internal Loads, Reports
Overview
Details of the exercise
Surface Constructions
Window Properties
Instructions
Exercise 1A. Run Pre-Defined Building with no Windows
Exercise 1B. Add Windows
Exercise 1C. Add Internal Loads
Exercise 1D. Annual Simulation and Predefined Reports
Solution: Exercise 1
List of New Objects
Overall scheme/methodology for running EnergyPlus
Building Simulation
A Methodology for Using Energyplus
Step 1
: Plan Ahead
Step 2
: “Zone” the Building
Zoning – Concept 1 - Simple
Zoning – Concept 2 - Detailed
Step 3
: Prepare to Construct the Building Model
Step 3.1. Determine heat transfer and heat storage surfaces.
Step 3.2. Define equivalent surfaces as desired.
Step 3.3. Specify construction elements
Step 3.4. Compile surface and subsurface information.
Step 4
: Compile Internal Space Gain Data
Tutorial Exercise 2
Unitary System and VAV using HVACTemplate Inputs
Overview
Details of the Exercise
Building Description
Space Conditioning
Environment
Instructions
Exercise 2A. Add Unitary System with DX Cooling and Gas Heating (Furnace) Serving a Single Zone
Exercise 2B. Add VAV System with Reheat Serving Four Zones with Chiller and Boiler Plant
Exercise 2C. Annual Simulation
Solution: Exercise 2
Solution: Exercise 2A
Solution: Exercise 2B
Exercise 2C
IDF Editor – Brief Introduction
Start IDF Editor
Creating or Selecting an Input Data File
Class List
Changing Values
Working with Objects
File Menu
Edit Menu
View Menu
Help Menu
Other Useful programs/information
HVACTemplate Objects
Data Sets
Slab and Basement Programs
Coefficient Curve Generation
Useful Programs
WeatherData
Results Processing
HVAC-Diagram
CSVProc
convertESOMTR
DataFiles
Library Files
Energy Meters
Standard Energy Meters
Custom Meters
Standard EnergyPlus Units
Documentation content copyright © 1996-2025 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and the Regents of the University of California through the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. All rights reserved. EnergyPlus is a trademark of the US Department of Energy.
This documentation is made available under the EnergyPlus Open Source License v1.0.