Release Candidate of Energy Express for Architects
16 January, 2006
Hearne Scientific Software will be releasing Energy Express for Architects version 1.0 in mid 2006.
Prior to the full version release of Energy Express for Architects, the pre-release version "Release Candidate" can be purchased at a discount. Those who purchase the Release Candidate will receive the updates and upgrade to the full version later this year for FREE. Furthermore, they will also qualify for an upgrade to the forthcoming Energy Express for Engineers. Models created using Energy Express for Architects will be fully compatible with the Engineers' version.
Energy Express is a design and analysis tool for architects and engineers to quantify the energy efficiency of commercial building designs. It helps designers optimise building energy consumption and thus contribute to the reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases. Architects and engineers will find this new energy-efficiency tool invaluable in the search for a competitive edge in cost-effective commercial building design.
The software is intended for use at any stage of a building project. Thus, the program can be used for the analysis of alternative designs of new buildings and their mechanical and electrical systems, or in the assessment of retro-fit options and changes being considered for existing buildings.
The leader of the team that developed Energy Express, Mr Steve Moller of CSIRO Manufacturing & Infrastructure Technology, says, "Energy Express for Architects evaluates the energy impacts of the building envelope, shading and operating options by taking into account the major factors that influence heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption and cost".
Mr Moller says, '"The package also allows for comparisons to be made on the energy impacts of different envelope materials (windows, walls, roofs), giving the user the opportunity to make energy-efficient and cost-effective choices at the design stage".
'It allows designers to investigate various options without the need for the time-consuming input of detailed HVAC data."
Variations on a building's design (layout, orientation, materials, insulation, shading, lighting, HVAC) and operation (thermostat settings, schedules, HVAC controls) are quickly evaluated and compared.
Operating energy costs are estimated using electricity and gas tariff data supplied with Energy Express, allowing energy cost savings attributable to a design change to be weighed against capital cost changes and other design criteria.
Graphical input of dimensional data is provided by an in-built 2D CAD system that enables the user to draw the outline of the building (the external walls) and to divide the internal space into thermal zones (internal walls) without the need for calculating wall and floor area measurements.
Energy Express for Engineers will extend the features contained in Energy Express for Architects by adding tools for evaluating the required heating and cooling capacity of an air-conditioning system, and for detailed analysis of air-conditioning options.
The Energy Express for Architects Release Candidate has undergone extensive testing however it contains a few known minor bugs associated with the user-interface, most of which involve the undo/redo functionality.
About CSIRO Manufacturing & Infrastructure Technology
CSIRO Manufacturing & Infrastructure Technology (CMIT) was formed in July 2002 through the integration of the CSIRO divisions of Building, Construction & Engineering and Manufacturing Science & Technology. Now one of CSIRO's largest divisions, CMIT has a turnover of over $80 million, with more than 500 specialist staff (350 in research) and laboratories in four states, placed to serve the needs of manufacturing and infrastructure industries.
About Hearne Scientific Software
Hearne Scientific Software specialises in scientific, technical and research software distribution and commercialisation. The company is a quality assured ISO 9001, Australian Government and United Nations approved supplier.
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For more information regarding Energy Express please contact Hearne Scientific Software.