| Project: | Autodesk ECOTECT |
| Version: | 5.50 |
| Component: | Thermal Analysis |
| Category: | bug report |
| Priority: | critical |
| Assigned: | rds3000 |
| Status: | active |
This is a bug that has been present since v4, at least.
With all zones set to COOLING and looking at Resource Consumption with only Heating/Cooling loads selected for display, the graphical display apparently shows HEATING loads. The situation is reversed with zones on only HEATING, graphical display is COOLING loads. The monthly tabular results are in the correct column (heating-heating, cooling-cooling) and seems to be reasonable values, but do not correspond well with other models and seem to have a multiplier involved.
The big question here is whether I can accept the graphical results as correct for the opposite question, or whether the signs are reversed, ie, when are the signs reversed between calc and display?
The question is further complicated when looking at the Thermal Analysis/Hourly Heat Gains/Losses output, which seems to show HVAC Load with signs reversed somewhere along the way (less cooling load during the day, for example). In this screen, the HVAC Loads correspond to the graphical display, and seem to show heating, but with the signs reversed.
I could send a model along, but this problem is common to all my models, and happens in the Tutorial model as well.
Updates
To update, the results obtained from Monthly Loads/Discomfort calculation with Full A/C, when saved to .csv seem to show correct values, but with terms reversed. ie, when adding all the gains and losses together, the value is approximately the same negative value as heating and cooling added together, but heating is a negative value, and cooling is apositive value. This is not consistent with, for example, internal gains, which is a positive value.
| Version: | » 5.50 |
Update - This issue is, amazingly, still present in version 5.60. When a zone is Heating Only, resource consumption shows cooling energy use, when Cooling Only, heating energy use. I don't know if the terms are reversed (heating is shown the negative of cooling and vice versa), the wrong energy use category is shown (correct term, but wrong load), or something else.
Seems like a super easy thing to fix, and something that puts the whole energy simulation engine in question. Can someone at least reply as to how I can interpret the displayed data??!
new user
Hi,
I am evaluating Ecotect toward Archicad 10 for a client.
1- How many Ecotect users are there world wide?
2- What are the experiences around?
ease of use back and forth between Ecotect and AC?
3- Where is it best to start?
Ecotect-model og AC-model
I am also strongly considering Ecotect for my "emerging" business with building energy consultancy.
4- How steep is the learning curve?
5- What other tools would you use and recommand besides ECOTECT, to offer good services to clients.
I have some experience with Archicad 10,trnsys and RELUX
thank you
Xavier
Sustainable Design
Renewable Energy
Energy in Buildings
E.learning
Ecotect + AC 10 (...11)
Hello Xavier,
I cannot answer all of your questions, but some.
1. I guess only SQU1 knows how many users are outthere, but a big "surge" seems to have happen at the begining of this year.
2. I have been using Ecotect since 2001 and feel fairly comfortable with using it as I have been able to learn it as it grew. As to the ArchiCAD interface, I have thus far only been able to import as .3ds file and that has work quite well and clean. The new version of Ecotect should able a more robust import, including BIM information into Ecotect.
3. I would personaly recommend to start with both model actually... Ecotect and ArchiCAD are two different tools for two different purpose. Their respective model should feed and evolve from one another instead of being created in isolation from each other.
4. I find Ecotect very user-friendly, but I have been using it for a while...i would recommend starting with simple functions such as sun and shadows, and "play" with the features. As you go deeper into the software, you will find other useful function. I would NOT recomend starting a new - real - project in Ecotect that requires more than a few zones. You would be setting yourself up for frustration. Keep it simple, and you'll stay happy.
Also, make full use of the help files (go ahead and read them all!) as well as the wiki.
5. Don't forget to download the free Desktop RADIANCE software to work along Ecotect for daylight studies.
Best,
Olivier