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How to Use the Energy Estimation Tool ​

The Energy Estimation tool helps you calculate the annual energy consumption of a building during the early design stages. Follow this guide to input the required data and interpret the results.

Prerequisites ​

Before using the tool, ensure you have:

  1. Building massing created in Qubu Studio.
  2. (optionally) Climate data in EPW format for the project location.
  3. (optionally) Construction specifications for walls, windows, and HVAC systems.

Steps ​

1. Open the Energy Estimation Tool ​

  1. Navigate to the Energy Estimation property panel in the application.
  2. Click on "Open energy report", the report webpage will open.

2. Review the derived building geometry ​

Data for "Urban Massing - Facade Areas (m2)" section is automatically filled in from Qubu Studio. Rest of the data are good defaults for standard residential building. Use the results or continue setting up more data to get more precise result.

3. Upload Climate Data ​

  1. Use the default EPW file for Bratislava, Slovakia, or upload a custom EPW file for your location.
  2. Verify that the file contains valid hourly weather data.

4. Define Construction Specifications ​

  1. Set U-values for walls, roof, windows, and floors.
  2. Specify the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR) for each facade.
  3. Adjust shading coefficients for sunny and overcast conditions.

5. Configure Occupancy and HVAC Parameters ​

  1. Input occupant density and operational hours.
  2. Set heating and cooling setpoints.
  3. Enable or disable heat recovery ventilation (HRV).

7. Review Results ​

  1. Check the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) in kWh/m²·year.
  2. Analyze the energy breakdown by end-use (heating, cooling, lighting, etc.).
  3. Adjust design parameters to optimize energy performance.

Tips ​

  • Use realistic input ranges to get accurate results.
  • Compare multiple design variants to identify the most energy-efficient option.
  • Ensure the EPW file matches the project's climate zone.
  • If the derived facade or area totals look wrong, fix the massing first and then rerun the tool.

Troubleshooting ​

  • Invalid EPW file: Ensure the file has at least 8,000 hourly data rows.
  • Unrealistic results: Double-check input values for geometry and construction specifications.

TODO screenshot: Show the Energy Estimation tool interface with sample inputs and results.