Comparative Testing of the ESL's Code-Compliant Simulation Model and the FSEC's EnergyGauge Software

Abstract

This report presents a study of the comparison of the results of the ESL’s code-compliant simulation model and the FSEC’s EnergyGauge (version 2.42). Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying window-to-wall ratio (WWR), SEER for the air conditioner, AFUE for the gas furnace, EF for the domestic hot water system, wall insulation level, ceiling insulation level, infiltration, SHGC, U-value, HSPF for the heat pump, and the different sizes of the house. The results of sensitivity analyses show acceptable agreements for window-to-wall ratio (WWR), SEER for the air conditioner, AFUE for the gas furnace, EF for the domestic hot water system, wall insulation level, ceiling insulation level, infiltration, SHGC, U-value, and HSPF for the heat pump. Agreement for the different sizes of the house test could not be obtained because of the different internal heat gain. This report includes the BDI spreadsheet (BDI-ENERGY-GAUGE.xls), GAWK scripts (ENERGYGAUGE.awk and ENERGYGAUGE.bat), DOE-2 input file (SNGFAM2ST.inp), and result spreadsheet (IECC_ENERGYGAUGE.xls) for simulations.