Table of Contents: Getting Started

Getting Started with EnergyPlus
- Basic Concepts Manual - Essential Information You Need about Running EnergyPlus (and a start at building simulation)
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
- 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 4: Compile Internal Space Gain Data
Tutorial Exercise 2
Unitary System and VAV using HVACTemplate Inputs
- Overview
- Details of the Exercise
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
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
- Other Resource Types
Custom Meters
Standard EnergyPlus Units
Index

Table of Contents: Getting Started — EnergyPlus 8.3