Engineering Reference — EnergyPlus 8.8

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Loop, Equipment Sizing and other Design Data[LINK]

The importance of correct equipment sizing is often ignored in discussions of building simulation methods. The lack of reliable, efficient and flexible sizing calculations can present a serious barrier to the adoption and acceptance of building simulation programs. This section describes the sizing methodology implemented in EnergyPlus. This method includes:

  1. A zone by zone heat balance load and air-flow calculation for multiple design days;

  2. Significant user control with modest input requirements;

  3. Zone, system and plant level calculations of design heating and cooling capacities and fluid flow rates;

  4. Modular, component-specific sizing algorithms for each HVAC component.

  5. Options for monitoring how the initial sizes operate over multiple design days and then making adjustments and repeating plant level calculations