Efficiency Vermont provides software tool information to help you determine what packages may be useful for your project. There are pros and cons to each package, and some are best suited only to specific projects. Although we do not endorse any one particular product, we have experience with each of these software packages, so if you have questions, give us a call.
Why Use a Computer Model?
Mechanical Systems - Sizing and designing building mechanical systems is an art. A tremendous range of systems and components can meet the needs of any one building. Choosing the right system depends on many factors, including familiarity with technology and design, initial costs, long-term energy costs, as well as maintenance issues and costs. Software tools are a great resource for determining a building's heating and cooling loads and evaluating system options for life-cycle costs.
Design - A computer software package can help manage the intricacies of design. Using local weather data, information on the building envelope, and expected internal loads, these packages can calculate the heating and cooling loads and generate performance comparisons of the different systems.
Financial Incentives - We provide financial incentives to designers who use computer programs to:
- Size Mechanical Equipment
We offer financial incentives to designers who take the lighting power (in watts per square foot) from the lighting design (as opposed to the software defaults) when sizing heating and cooling equipment. This also allows a designer to evaluate the benefits of higher insulation and reduced infiltration. - Evaluate Efficiency Options
We offer a design assistance incentive to evaluate the benefits of higher-efficiency boilers or furnaces and direct expansion air conditioning systems, as well as heat recovery units, economizers, and variable frequency drive control of pumps and fans. Incentives are also available for recommended energy-efficient equipment.
