Replies

1. 
   ethan_TFGStudio | Dec 22, 2017 09:56am | #1

   BEOpt help says:

   The Energy Rating Index (ERI) is calculated per the ANSI/RESNET 301-2014 "Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Low-Rise Residential Buildings using the HERS Index" as well as the ANSI/RESNET 301-2014 Addendum A-2015 "Addendum on Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Systems". This metric is a performance compliance path in the 2015 IECC.

   This output metric is only available if ERI has been checked on the Run Dialog.

   I have checked this box but still don't see ERI (HERS) info...

2. 
   ethan_TFGStudio | Dec 22, 2017 10:45am | #2

   Hello everybody! I figured this out, and thought I'd post info here for posterity. According to RESNET "Energy Ratings Index Performance Path" you can submit an ERI Score as part of the IECC 2015 Compliance path. This score is created in BEOpt if you check the appropriate box before running your simulation. As of this posting, the required ERI Scores are:

   • Climate Zone 1: 52
   • Climate Zone 2: 52
   • Climate Zone 3: 51
   • Climate Zone 4: 54
   • Climate Zone 5: 55
   • Climate Zone 6: 54
   • Climate Zone 7: 53
   • Climate Zone 8: 53

   Please double check these, but this is for reference.

3. Expert Member
   Michael Maines | Dec 24, 2017 11:03am | #3

   Thanks Ethan, great info. I use BeOpt regularly but still learn new things every time I use it.

4. 
   ethan_TFGStudio | Feb 01, 2021 10:29am | #4

   Michael - What I can't seem to do is get BEOpt to allow for 100% Minisplit heating. It always wants electric baseboard backup. Maybe I need to tweak the minisplit data itself? I'm just using the stock minisplit values.

1. Expert Member
   Michael Maines | Feb 01, 2021 11:09am | #5

   Ethan, same here and I'm not sure why. I select the 12kBtu "automatically size for load" option with electric baseboard backup. I like the cost of BEopt (free) and that it's fairly powerful and easy to use, but I'm thinking about upgrading to something in between it and the PHPP that I use sometimes. Before they had so many options for mini-splits I tried inputting my own data but it crashed the program, so if you go that route be careful.

1. 
   ethan_TFGStudio | Feb 01, 2021 11:22am | #7

   Maybe DOE can get some funding for a BEOpt software upgrade? What software are you considering?

1. Expert Member
   Michael Maines | Feb 01, 2021 12:13pm | #8

   Not to get political, but I was worried we would lose access to it entirely before Jan. 20. Upgrades would be good.

   Building nerd friends of mine use Ekotrope, Wrightsoft, RemDesign, Trace and other programs. I haven't spent much time looking into it yet. Martin wrote about options several years ago: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/app/uploads/sites/default/files/Energy%20Modeling%20Software_0.pdf.

5. 
   Deleted | Feb 01, 2021 11:11am | #6

   Deleted

6. 
   ethan_TFGStudio | Oct 30, 2023 01:49pm | #9

   Unfortunately, I believe that this (very useful) ERI functionality has been removed from BEOpt 3.0

   "Deprecating the ERI calculation in BEopt v3 was not made lightly. At the end of the day, BEopt is most successful when it provides research capabilities and emerging technologies not already addressed by the private sector. The HERS industry is a source of significant revenue for multiple private-sector companies, and we do not want BEopt to be viewed as competitor to those software tools, even if just in appearance. We hope that you can appreciate our decision and enjoy the new capabilities that BEopt v3 does include."

   Boo.

   https://unmethours.com/question/85479/beopt-v3-beta-feedback-eri-deprecation/

1. Expert Member
   DCcontrarian | Oct 30, 2023 01:51pm | #10

   Often federal agencies are statutorily prohibited from competing with private companies.