Focus on Energy: Software for Energy Design

Which comes first, the building design or the energy analysis? It’s a classic chicken-or-egg problem. Once dimensions for walls, windows, and floors are set, a designer is usually reluctant to change them based on an energy analysis. At that point, the only way to save energy is by using more insulation, better windows, or more efficient mechanical equipment. While there’s nothing wrong with fine-tuning these components, you can often get more Btus for your buck by altering the basic house design. Almost ten years ago, G.Z. “Charlie” Brown, professor of architecture at the University of Oregon, began developing a computer program that would provide energy-use estimates at the preliminary design phase. The program is called Energy Scheming (version 2.0