about the heating and cooling analysis

[Anonymous]

Hello friends,

I am trying to simulate how exterior louvers work by using heating and cooling loads analysis in Revit. To do so, I made a set of louvers in family and brought it into project sheet; however, the louver was not recognized as an exterior object even I set “Identify Exterior Elements”.
On the other hand, the louver creates a shadow and works in ”Insight Solar Analysis”.

The louver has a distance from windows, it is supported by a different structure. (It is not attached on windows like a curtain wall.)

If anyone know how to solve this issue, please share it!

[HVAC-Novice]

I just intensively worked on using the Revit built-in load analysis to use in SCHEMATIC design. It is not very detailed and definitely not usable for the actual design (like the one you put your stamp on and risk your license and getting sued if it is wrong....). In addition to general shortcomings, there is not exact clarity on what data are used for load and energy simulation. Those seem different things in Revit using different values for the building. Revit also doesn't give you a detailed report to sanity-check the results. 

I wouldn't use Revit for anything with the detail you are looking for. You need to use a dedicated load calculation software. it is fine for the beginning of the design to give you an idea, but not beyond. 

[Anonymous]

go to  analysis tab and garret analytical model and proper setting 

go on you-tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKzXY9CZJWo 

[revitnation]

Revit can now produce better more accurate results than Trace 700. Make sure that all of the required parameters are set up. I encourage MEP consultants to ask for this in their BEPs with architects. With patience, we can all teach each other!

[HVAC-Novice]

what is your source for Revit being more accurate than Trace? I'm a former Trace user and had my license expired due to lack of projects, but now need to get a new load calc for new projects. So I'm all ear if i really would not need to re-buy Trace. 

- Trace uses Heat Balance method, Revit only uses RTS

- Trace has many more options to deal with below grade walls, partially below grade walls

- Trace provides many more detailed result data, at minimum it also separates latent and sensible load

- Trace has options to use appropriate design temperatures. Maybe i'm missing the setting, but for my area Revit uses - 10°F for heating, while code requires -15 °F. similar problem on the cooling side. Trace let's me chose design conditions. 

- there are many more settings Trace can deal with 

As I said, if there is solid information that Revi is better than Trace, I'm beyond curious. Because it would save me from buying a new Trace license. i seriously tried to use Revit and set up the Space and zone schedules  etc. but left thinking this is just good enough for schematic design. 

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Thank you so much for giving many advices and suggestions!
After I tried all solutions you all gave me, I still could not get what I want; however, I found one plug-in which is called ArchiWizard published by GRAITEC co., and it works very fast and gives me a precise result.

If you are interested in the software, please check it out! 
It is not super detail like TRACE but I strongly recommend it.

(Don't forget to change the language from French to English)

[HVAC-Novice]

Glad you found a solution. How did you determine it is precise? I used google translate on their website and it looks like it only does heating? Not sure... bu ti know one thing, you need to have a lot of detail and reporting to make sure a load calculation is actually correct for the application. 

I meanwhile bought Trace 700, which I had used before. and the Revit calculation came up with twice the required airflow :-0. So for schematic design you may as well just use rules of thumb instead of using Revit. To conclude, don't use the Revit oob tools for load calculation.