Hi there,
Did you get a confirmation on the validity of the thermal analysis?
I am having the same problem and begining to doubt the result coming from the thermal analysis within Ecotect. I have modeled a 35m2 6m high building with no ventilation and infiltration from wind. I have applied double glazed windows to roof and the walls so it's pretty much like a green house. I would have expected the temperature inside be higher than the outside on the brightest or hottest day which is not the case shown in Ecotect. The result showed that the temperature inside follows the outside temperature and was below it most of the time.
Can someone comment on the validity of the thermal analysis in Ecotect? Thanks!
Hi,
seam that like everyone before I'm getting the same problem.
some one of you found out what the solution is?
Max
The Ecotect Thermal simulation is not applicable for all situations, and I have found it particulalry untrustworthy in solar heating scenarios. It might be worth your while you work through the Ecotect export to energy plus, taking advantage of the model you already have.
Have you made sure that the surface normals (for walls, windows, etc...) are facing the right direction (i.e. away from the zone)? This will make a big difference in thermal analysis results.
To view the surface normals, select Display >> Surface normals. Arrows should appear on the surfaces. If they are pointing towards the inside of the zone, select the surface then click Ctrl+R to toggle the arrow direction.
The thermal calculation is Ecotect theoretical premise of the admittance. Is a simplification of analysis, widely used but that "simple". With the data comentais seems that perhaps the data "zone property/Thermal properties" are incorrect.
Are there active systems?
Hope this helps
Best regards
I am having same problem as below....Did anyone ever receive a helpful answer to this thread?
For example, I made a 10ftx 10 ft x10 ft cube with the same very low U value on each of the six surfaces. I did a thermal analysis for various window areas on the south wall. My understanding of basic passive solar design is that expect that should get passive gains during day and losses at night from night, at some optimum window area (e.g. 10% of window area) would get a decrease in heating load from passive gain.
However Ecotect showed that the heating load constantly increased as window area increased in small increments from 1ft x 1ft to 9ft x 9ft. Tried various window types, usually low e double pane and various parameters for window and walls to optimize absorptionand transmission surface normals are outward but got same results
If it cannot model this simple situation how reliable the thermal model is for passive design?
Thanks for any help