Which design changes are supported with Scenario Modeling and how do they function?

Scenario Modeling supports many types of design changes. This article describes their behavior and how they handle the variability encountered across energy models. 

We are always adding the ability to make more nuanced and complex design changes to Scenario Modeling. This article will be updated as updates to Scenario Modeling are made. 

The language we use to describe design changes 

We describe a Design Change using a lexicon to be more specific about the exact behavior of each specified change. This lexicon includes: 

1. Component: A component is any part of the energy model that can be replaced in Scenario Modeling. Some examples of a component would be an “above-grade wall”, “slab”, or “infiltration value.” In context, scenario modeling may find all of the above-grade wall components and replace their library type with a new library type.
2. Replace: This means Scenario Modeling will find an existing component in the energy model and update that complement or data fields with a new value or new library type. A good example is a wall design change. When you define a wall design change, Scenario Modeling finds all of the walls and swaps out the old library type for the new library type. Importantly, it does not add a new component if it does not find an existing component. For example, if an Onsite Generation design change is defined, Scenario Modeling will only replace an existing Onsite Generation. It will not add a new Onsite Generation. 
3. Add: This means Scenario Modeling creates a new component and adds it to the energy model. For example, you may want to add a new PV system to an energy model that does not already have a PV system. 
4. Criteria: Scenario Modeling is able to make Replaces and Adds when certain criteria are met. For example, you may want to only Replace the above-grade walls that are between “conditioned space and ambient”. This would be setting criteria for when a design change is applied.

What design changes am I able to make? 

1. Replace with criteria supported (swaps an existing component, if that component does not exist in the energy model no change will be made): 

   1. Slab component based on location

   2. Floor component based on location 

   3. Foundation Wall component based on location 

   4. Wall component based on location 

   5. Rim Joist component based on location 

   6. Ceiling / Roof component based on location

   7. HVAC Equipment (heating, cooling, and water heating systems) based on load served and distribution system type. DHW systems are supported.

2. Replace without criteria supported (swaps an existing component, if that component does not exist in the energy model no change will be made):

   1. Window / Glass door components

   2. Skylight components

   3. Onsite Generation (not PV Systems): remember, swap only works if there is an existing onsite generation system in the energy model  

   4. Dehumidifier components

   5. HVAC Configuration: You must define the whole system swap - meaning a complete Heating/Cooling and distribution system must be swapped. 

What is the roadmap for future additions?

1. We are always accepting feedback and re-prioritizing new additions and updates to Scenario Modeling. Our priority right now is to add more high-priority design changes and then high-priority reports. Here is our current prioritization of additions. 

2. Design Change types:

   1. Apply design changes to all building designs in the energy model

   2. Ekotrope Version

   3. Appliance information 

   4. Energy Code checkboxes

   5. Energy Star checkboxes

   6. Add PV systems

   7. Lighting Changes

   8. HVAC Grading

3. Criteria: 

   1. Building Envelope component replacement based on R-Value of the existing component
      

   2. Building Envelope component replacement based on stud details
      

   3. Set minimum and maximum values

4. Analysis Results:

   1. Pikes Peak area code
      

   2. Utility Cost data