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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:6.8pt;margin-bottom:10.2pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.3pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dear All,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:6.8pt;margin-bottom:10.2pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.3pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I would like to post this link to provide a source of discussion pertaining to IES <VE> software. Being fairly new to the energy modeling career, I am trying to stay on the front end of energy modeling software. I have been in the energy modeling field for 2 years currently working with Trane TRACE 700 and eQUEST, with successful LEED submittals with both programs. However, throughout this time period I have run into roadblocks that require a workaround solution, which led me to look for a more advanced energy modeling program. My most recent issue is the modeling of chilled beams, and the restrictions in TRACE and eQUEST.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:6.8pt;margin-bottom:10.2pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.3pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>IES <VE> is the software package that initially stood above the rest throughout my research. I downloaded the 30-day trial version in order to test the software, and the energy modeling potential seems endless with the APACHEHVAC and MODELIT. Before I dig deeper into this software, I am looking to get an opinion from fellow professionals who have experience with the software. Please see below for an outline of topics that I am skeptical about with switching to a new modeling software.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:13.6pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:31.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:13.6pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Load Calcs - Accurate load calculation results<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:13.6pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:31.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:13.6pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Ease of creating building model - From my initial analysis of the software, it appears to be extremely easy to import a .dxf file to trace out with the MODELIT software. In addition, I tested importing a gbxml file, this was more difficult in regards to the fact the architectural model was not fully complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:13.6pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:31.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:13.6pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>APACHE HVAC - In comparison to other software programs this appears to be more powerful in the sense that you can modify select components of the system and the program will provide a visual representation of the system.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:13.6pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:31.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:13.6pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Modeling Outputs - Due to time constraints I have not completed a model to a place where I am able to to produce the output reports. Any information on the layout and types of reports available would be appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:13.6pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:13.6pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The main purpose of this post is to determine if the initial investment in the program will provide a payback by means of reducing hours while simultaneously increasing accuracy of the project. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:13.6pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:13.6pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Any and all feedback is appreciated. Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Minion Pro","serif";color:#1F497D'>Dan Kaler</span></b><b><span style='font-family:"Minion Pro","serif";color:#1F497D'> </span></b><b><span style='font-family:"Minion Pro","serif";color:#D9541E'>EIT</span></b><b><span style='font-family:"Minion Pro","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#717074'>Energy Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Minion Pro","serif";color:#1F497D'>MEP</span></b><b><span style='font-family:"Minion Pro","serif";color:#1F497D'> Associates, LLC </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#A6A6A6'>engineers </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#717074'>|</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#A6A6A6'> consultants </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#717074'>| </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#A6A6A6'>commissioning</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#D9541E'>o </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#717074'>715.832.5680 </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#D9541E'>ext.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#717074'> 1146 | </span><a href="http://www.mepassociates.com"><span style='color:#D9541E;text-decoration:none'>mepassociates.com</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Webdings;color:green'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Webdings;color:green'>P</span><span style='font-family:Webdings;color:green'> </span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:green'>Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>