SketchUp + Energy Performance, Part 6

(part 1)
(part 2)
(part 3)
(part 4)
(part 5)

OpenStudio Plugin for SketchUp, another brick in the EnergyPlus wall.

SketchUp + Energy Performance, part 5

(part 1)
(part 2)
(part 3)
(part 4)

Here's a short entry about Energy Analysis Plugins for SketchUp.

SketchUp + HVAC-CALC, part 3

(part 1)
(part 2)

Now, Official Google SketchUp blog reports that the beta version is available for download.

Hurry before they change their mind.

SketchUp + HVAC-CALC, part 2

You've read it here first. Now someone closer to the subject area implemented it: Energy Analysis Tool for SketchUp.

Told you.

Random Notes: Timing and Blueprints

Random note #1: One thing I have not regretted, in a hindsight, that I've started the wiring project right now - in local mid-season. When the insulation is disturbed, it doesn't function properly anymore, and had this happened in the middle of the summer (or in the middle of the winter for those farther North), it would've been bad.

Random note #2: SketchUp is the best thing since sliced bread for DIY projects. More and more professionals are starting to realize the importance of it (see the article on timber framing, for example). It works for project at almost any scale - the house model I've built, for example, has everything from the yard on the top of the scale to individual screws in places where I've laid conduit, on the bottom of it. Start with 3d Warehouse (Thai House Blueprints is a beautiful example), don't forget the SketchUp Blog.

SketchUp Sketches: DZ Testbed

This is a contraption that can be used to test the zoning controller functionality and operation. As the moment of writing (the image above is live, so is the link) it is just a rough draft (yeah, and it's 2:30AM), but I hope you get the idea. Plug heat sources (electric bulbs will do) into big holes. Plug temperature sensors into small holes. Connect the servos to DZ output. Connect fans to DZ output. Switch it on and watch it go crazy.

Four servos may represent up to four zones.
Four fans may represent up to four HVAC units.
Dimmers may be used to simulate variable heat load.
The divider between two middle fans is missing intentionally.
All sizes in the model (fans, servos, planes) are true and correct.

Link to the model page

SketchUp + HVAC-Calc = ?

Loosely quoted, "Good companies have many great ideas. Great companies know which great ideas to discard".

Alas, I will not have time to implement this, nor ways to approach the Big Guys to make this happen, but I wonder - am I the only one that sees an obvious symbiosis of SketchUp and HVAC-Calc?

Granted, it's not a five minute project, but all the necessary components are already there - and it won't be that difficult (especially for big guys like Google) to implement a real-time heat loss and gain recalculation as one works on the model of the house...

One of the most important features of SketchUp is that it, being a Google application, evolves fast. Plugins are there, too. It would be really interesting to see where it goes - SketckUp Blog is a nice place to keep an eye on it.

More on SketchUp later - it might have many obvious and not so obvious ramifications on the ways home automation, HVAC and general improvements are done. For example, the most obvious side effect of one creating a house model is that all the hidden spaces you've never thought about become obvious, and the task of routing your cable system becomes significantly less intimidating.

to be continued...