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

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

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.