Rating: 8.3/10 (view ratings)
81 students have taken this course
Description
This is a comprehensive commercial energy modeling course for you to master eQUEST, the free "Quick Energy Simulation Tool" developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and other industry leaders.
This course is hands-on. You will learn how to build and run energy models. By the end of the course, you should be able to function as the go-to energy modeler on an integrated design team.
Mac Users: Unfortunately, eQUEST only runs natively on PCs. In order to run the software on a Mac, you'll need to use a virtualization program.
Check out a free preview of the course by clicking the button below. This is a live assignment from the course and will give you a good sense for what the course will be like.
This is a hands-on, project-based course that will give you the confidence to do energy modeling for paying clients.
Self Paced Online Course
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. Get access to all of the course materials as soon as you enroll. The instructor-led session will begin on the scheduled start date. During the session dates the instructor will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board. After the instructor-led session ends, you'll continue to have access to all of the course materials for a full year and can complete the course at your own pace.
Access Information and Build Your Training Library
After enrolling, the course materials will remain in your account and be accessible 12 months (1 year) after the session end date. Access can be extended beyond 1 year with a monthly membership. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world.
Earn A Certificate of Completion
When you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Earn Continuing Education Credits
Self Report with Certificate: 20 BPI CEUs.
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I found this course invaluable in learning how to effectively use eQUEST as an energy modeling tool.
The Green Engineer founder, Chris Schaffner, P.E., LEED Fellow, is a professional mechanical engineer registered in Massachusetts, California, and Vermont. Chris has been a member of the USGBC faculty since 2001, training more than 9,200 building industry professionals in the LEED rating system. He is a member of the USGBC's Curriculum Committee, and is on the Energy...[more]
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can complete the material whenever is convenient and work ahead or catch up if you fall behind. The course discussion board is a great place to interact with other students and ask questions. Expect to dedicate a minimum of 5 hours per week to the course. The instructor-led session runs for the posted dates and you will receive weekly emails to keep you on pace. Course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after the session ends. Please review the orientation materials and introduce yourself on the discussion board.
Introduction to HeatSpring (Video - 01:25 minutes) preview
Set up email notifications and your student profile (Text)
Introduce yourself on the discussion board (Text)
Week 1
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Introduction to Energy Modeling
In this opening module we'll download eQuest and make sure all of the settings are locked in for a great course. We'll cover the what / why / when of commercial energy modeling.
Welcome from the Instructor (Text)
Discussion Question #1 - Introductions (Text)
Download and Install eQUEST (Version 3.65) (Resource)
Introduction to the eQUEST Software (Video - 23:49 minutes)
Select Your Project Building (Submit File)
What is an Energy Model? (Video - 22:38 minutes)
Fundamentals of Heating and Cooling Loads - Part 1 (Video - 21:08 minutes)
eQuest Download alternate (Download .msi)
Week 2
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Setting up Your Energy Model
This week we'll work on importing from Autocad, cover the wizard inputs around the shell and envelope, and get the internal loads right.
Goal for Week #2 (Text)
Setting Up Your First Model - Default Building Geometry (Download .dwg)
Other Default Building Info (Download .pdf)
Validation Models vs. Design Assistance (Video - 15:07 minutes)
Calculating Heating Loads (Video - 20:15 minutes)
Setting up Your eQUEST Model - Part 1 - Importing from CAD (Video - 24:01 minutes) preview
Default Building - First Floor Plan (Download .pdf)
Setting Up Your eQUEST Model - Part 2 - Finishing The Shell (Video - 39:44 minutes)
Diagram - Modeling Timeline (Download .pdf)
Using TMY3 Weather Files (Download .pdf)
Week 3
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Determining Mechanical Systems, Running the Model, Viewing the Results
This is when the fun begins. We'll look at preliminary results and begin to interpret them.
Software part 2 - Tips and tricks in detailed mode (Video - 16:03 minutes)
Modeling Checklist (Download .xls)
How do you know if your results are correct? (Video - 17:18 minutes)
Quick Reference - Data Types (Download .pdf)
Table 1.4 (Download .xls)
GBCI QC Calculator (Download .xlsx)
Appendix G language regarding multi-family zoning (Download .png)
HVAC Overview (Video - 41:54 minutes)
Week 5
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Using Energy Models as a Design Tool
Energy models are extremely useful in the integrated design process and in determining life cycle costing. This week we'll explore the use of parametric runs as a way to quickly evalulate multiple design options.
Goal for Week #5 (Text)
Parametric Models (Video - 23:21 minutes)
Question about Wall Constructions, and answer. (Download .docx)
Week 6
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Optimizing the Model + ASHRAE 90.1
Understanding ASHRAE 90.1 quickly becomes important for running scenarios and optimizing your model.
Library - Standard ASHRAE Schedules (Download .inp)
Video - Importing the ASHRAE Default Construction Library (Video - 21:40 minutes)
Basics - Energy Codes (Video - 37:55 minutes)
Week 7
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Exploring (and Overcoming) the Limits of eQUEST
There's no such thing as the perfect tool, and there are some things you can't model directly in eQUEST, including underfloor air, chilled beams, and more. You'll learn techniques for incorporating exceptional calculation measures into your model.
Goal for Week #7 (Text)
Modeling Less Common HVAC Systems (Video - 33:52 minutes)
UFAD TDV Resource I (Download .pdf)
Resource - UFAD and TDV II (Resource)
VRF Modeling resources (Download .zip)
DOAS - Step by Step Guide (Download .pdf)
Week 8
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Capstone Project
You'll submit a full energy model for a commercial building, which will be graded and reviewed. We'll also discuss other software and energy modeling in LEED before sending you off to graduation.
Week 8 - Final Capstone Project (Submit File)
Response to Question regarding .binm files (Download .png)
After The Course
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Feedback and Additional Resources
No matter how great this course is, we know it's just one part of a bigger journey. In this module we'll start thinking about what comes next. You'll provide feedback on the course and learn about additional resources.
Don't forget that you'll have access to the course materials for 12 months after the session ends. Feel free to come back as much as you like to continue learning, and please stay in touch. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership.
1 Year of Access to
Course Materials (Text)
Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey (Survey)
Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member (Resource)
Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate (Certificate)
