Energos basic project settings: Setup pane

The Setup pane establishes the basic building site location and main project settings.

Parameter	Description
Available Parameters	Select the level of detail for the energy analysis parameters. ● Basic: The parameter set is sufficient for generalized energy analysis ● Advanced: Enables the display of additional, detailed panes in the project settings, for expert users who wish to specify parameters to a high level, as described in Advanced energy analysis
Project Location from Heliodon	The project location is automatically obtained from a known location close to that of the heliodon object, that is matched to Energos climate and location data; however, an alternative location can be selected from the list. Any advanced locations that have been specified are listed.
Location	The selected location is displayed below the list
Advanced Location	To specify a location that is different from the heliodon’s location, or to specify detailed climate data, click Advanced Location. The Advanced Location dialog box opens. Click Location and choose a different location’s climate information. Alternatively, click Custom to choose a custom location set from those you have defined, as described in the following section.
Project	Contains information about the project; while most fields are for informational purposes only, the Altitude does affect the energy calculations
Name/Description	Enter the name of the project and a brief description
Altitude	Specify the altitude above sea level of the project’s ground level (where slabs are located); this value comes from the climate data, but can be overridden by entering a different value here
Architect	Enter details about the architect or architectural firm
Services Engineer	Enter details about the services engineer or engineering firm
Year of Construction	Indicate the year of construction for the project

Creating custom location sets

Instead of using one of the default locations and its associated climate information, detailed climate information sets can be specified and edited, and then the climate information from one of the custom locations can be selected for use instead of heliodon climate information.

Parameter	Description
System Set	Lists the defined system sets. When one is selected, the associated system names are listed in the system list, where they can be edited and added to; edited system sets are saved in the user folder and are indicated with (user folder) appended to the system set name.
Rename	Opens the Rename List Set dialog box; provide a new name for the system set. Default system sets that are included with Vectorworks cannot be renamed. You are prompted to rename a copy of the set, which is saved in the user folder.
Delete	Deletes the selected set from the System Set list; default system sets that are included with Vectorworks cannot be deleted
System list	Lists the systems that are included in the selected System Set
New	Adds a new system to the system set as described in the following section
Edit	Edits the currently selected system as described in the following section
Duplicate	Creates a duplicate of the currently selected system, as described in the following section
Delete	Deletes the selected system from the set
Set As Default	Sets the currently selected system and system set as the default for new files

3. Click New to create a new system, or select a system and click Edit or Duplicate.

● If a new system is to be created, or a currently selected system is duplicated, the New System dialog box opens. Select an existing system set for the system, or slick Save to a System Set and specify a new system set name.

● If a default system is selected for editing, you are prompted to duplicate it; default systems cannot be edited. New or edited systems are saved in the user folder.

Parameter	Description
General tab
Location
Country/City	Enter the name of the country and city of the building site; the names display in the Setup pane for reference when an advanced location is specified
Longitude	Specify the longitude of the location in degrees
Latitude	Specify the latitude of the location in degrees
Altitude	Specify the location’s altitude above sea level
Building Site
Site Elevation	Select Site Elevation and enter an elevation value for the building site, only if the building site altitude is significantly different from the altitude of the weather station used to determine climate data
Outside Temperature	Specify the annual average temperature for the location
Unheated Space Temperature	Specify the average temperature of an unheated/uncooled area within the building envelope
Daily Summer Temperature Swing	Enter the typical daily temperature range (difference between high temperature and low temperature) that occurs during the summer at the location
Depth of Groundwater Table	Specify the depth of the groundwater table at the location
Groundwater Flow Rate	Indicate the flow rate of the groundwater at the location
Properties tab
Transfer to Annual Method
HT	Specifies the length of the heating period during the day, per year
GT	Specifies the heating degree days per year, which is the sum of the temperature difference between the interior and exterior
Global Radiation	Indicate the amount of solar radiation for the site
North/East/South/West/Global	For each direction and globally, specify the amount of solar radiation that affects the site
Heating/Cooling Loads tab	Solar radiation has an effect on heating and cooling based on the location and site of the building. The more glazing towards the sun, the more energy is gained, so the gains and losses are calculated based on orientation.
Heating Load	Specifies the amount of energy needed for a building or space to maintain an internal temperature with a certain set of external conditions or weather
Weather 1/Weather 2	The two different weather conditions mainly affect solar gains during the winter; one condition might be for a warmer winter and one for a more cloudy/cool winter
Cooling Load	Specifies the amount of energy to be removed from the space
Temperature	Indicates the ambient, sky, and ground temperatures
Radiation/Temperature tab	Radiation and temperature data represent annual fluctuations for the custom location
Include Ground Temperature Data	Select this option to include ground temperature climate data
Radiation/Temperature Data Graph	Each of the parameters selected in the Legend is graphed over a one-year period; the radiation Y-axis on the left applies to the Radiation parameters, and the Temperature Y-axis on the right applies to the Temperature parameters
Selected Point	Displays the data for the point selected on one of the graphs; the data can be edited by entering a new value or dragging the selected point
Legend	Shows the parameters selected for display on the graph, and their color key. Deselect parameters to reduce clutter when adjusting the data for one of the parameters.

7. On the Setup pane of the Energos Project Settings dialog box, the project location displays as being determined by an advanced location (overriding the heliodon location), and the location name displays below the list.