1. eQuest Quick Energy Simulation Tool

2. Main Points eQuest is a tool from the Department of Energy.
It takes the difficult interface of the more common and helpful DOE-2 and simplifies it.
The learning curve with eQuest is much smaller than with the DOE-2 program.
eQuest is able to model a multilevel building and all the different loads.

3. Energy Conservation
eQuest has a function where Energy Efficiency Measures* can be created and manipulated to see the resulting changes to a model.
eQuest also has a life cycle cost analysis tool for each EEM applied to the model.
* EEM is another name for ECM, or Energy Conservation Measure

4. ESCO Analysis
eQuest also has the opportunity to input several different utility bill rates and structures to find the annual cost difference for changing ESCOs.
Utility rates can be complicated, and eQuest is equipped to handle the most complex billing structures.

5. eQuest Main Menu

6. Building Creation Wizard
The opening Design Development Wizard has several options:
Project/Site/Utility
Edit Building Shell
Edit Air-Side System
HW Plant Equipment

7. Project/Site/Utility
The first things that eQuest requests from the user is:
Building address,
Typical time table, and
Utility rate structure.

8. Project/Site/Utility
The first things that eQuest requests from the user is:
Building address,
Typical time table, and
Utility rate structure.

9. Utility Charges (both Gas and Electric)
Utility bills can be complex with a multitude of charges. eQuest allows for the user to input:
A standard fixed rate
A blocked charge rate
Customer charges
Demand rates
Combined rates

10. Developing the Model
The opening Design Development Wizard has several options:
Project/Site/Utility
Edit Building Shell
Edit Air-Side System
HW Plant Equipment

11. Building Shell Components
The building is constructed by first giving the program several values:
Building Type,
A rough estimate of the area,
The number of floors, both above grade and below,

12. Building Footprint
The total building area can be laid out and ploted using a simple CAD drawing
Zones can also be plotted by whatever boundaries the user specifies.

13. Building Envelope Construction
Walls and roofs can be modified by selected form a list of components:
Frame type and O.C. specifications
Exterior finish
Exterior and Interior insulation
Additional insulation, commonly batt insulation
The ground floor can be constructed similarily from lists of components:
Exposure, such as Earth Contact or Adiabatic Space
Interior finish
Construction, such as slab thickness
Exterior insulation
Infiltration is also specified on this input screen

14. Building Envelope Construction

15. Interior Construction: Walls, Ceilings, Doors and Windows
Insulation and finishes can be specified for interior surfaces
Doors:
Up to three different types of doors can be specified
Doors can be glass, opaque or numerous other types
Once a type of door is selected, materil components can then be selected as well
Frame type and width
Number of doors per exterior wall
This will be omitted for our design for now

16. Interior Construction: Walls, Ceilings, Doors and Windows
Up to three different types of windows can be selected
Once a type of window, materials can be chosen, ranging from single pane to triple pane windows
Each window can have a specific size, frame type and width
Windows can be placed on exterior walls by giving a percentage of the wall that is window
This will be omitted as well

17. Custom Window and Door Placement
Windows and doors in our analysis will be placed in a custom arrangement.
This gives the design a wider range of window sizes than with the preset sizes.
It also allows us to place the doors on the appropriate exterior surface.

18. Custom Window and Door Placement

19. Several Other Options
Blinds can be applied to a set of windows or to one side of the building, as in the case of the Willet Center.
Blinds can be set to partial visibility or full transparency
Shades and overhangs can be applied to any window
Roof skylights may be applied to different zones to help customize a building.
A typical operation schedule can be given with opening and closing times.

20. Activity Areas Allocation
Areas of the building can be designated as a specific type.
An area percentage is given for each type
A ventilation requirement for each area
Areas are then given
a core or perimeter
assignment.
Occupancy Profile

21. Zone Group Definitions
Now that each area is defined, each area is assigned to a HVAC system and a zone
This is done based on percentage of area that system covers

22. Non-HVAC End-uses
Many different end-uses can be chosen at this point, both internal and external
Ambient, task and exterior lighting
Different equipment
Pumps
Motors
Domestic
hot water

23. Lighting Loads and Profiles
Once lighting is chosen as an end-use, a new screen and inputs becomes available
Each area is given a power per area (W/sqft) of lighting
An hourly profile can also be described

24. Profiles

25. Developing the Model
The opening Design Development Wizard has several options:
Project/Site/Utility
Edit Building Shell
Edit Air-Side System
HW Plant Equipment

26. HVAC Systems
Once the HVAC system is given a name, it can begin to be defined
A cooling and
heating source
is selected
System type and
assignment to
different zones is
selected

27. Temperatures and Air Flows
This page allows the user to select thermostat points for cooling and heating.
Occupied and unoccupied
Design Temperatures
A minimum air flow is also given

28. Packaged Equipment
This is where the heating and cooling elements are given specifications
The loads of the equipment and the efficiency can both be entered
(heating is requested, but not present in this screenshot)

29. System Fans
The only system fan for our model is the supply fans that are built-in the two rooftop units
Power, efficiency, fan flow and outside air ratios

30. Other Specifications Fan Schedule
Operating times during occupancy
Night time run option
Continuous run time or intermittent
HVAC Zone Heating, Vents and Economizers
Zone heating for the exhibit is baseboard heating
There are no vents in our model
An economizer can be selected to run with the RTU to help minimize energy costs

31. Developing the Model
The opening Design Development Wizard has several options:
Project/Site/Utility
Edit Building Shell
Edit Air-Side System
HW Plant Equipment

32. Heating Primary Equipment
The heating system type is first selected
Number of boilers and pumps
The configuration
The boiler specifications can then be selected.

33. HW System Control and Schedule
The maximum and minimum set temperatures for the boilers can be selected here
Schedules for typical run time for the boilers are also given

34. Now that the construction of the model is done…

35. eQuest Main Menu

36. Energy Efficiency Wizard
The EEM wizard is used by selecting a component to adjust, such as wall insulation
The program also includes a Life Cycle Cost analysis

37. Energy Efficiency Wizard
The EEM Run Details wizard allows the user to change the specification, in this case the insulation values of the wall

38. eQuest Main Menu

39. Simulated Building Performance
The program is equipped to handle multiple EEMs and a baseline.
It is able to calculate daily values for energy consumption based on the building and the HVAC system inputs.
It downloads weather data history from the internet.
Once the simulation is performed, several reports are available