ECOTECT uses the CIBSE Admittance Method to calculate heating and cooling loads for models with any number of zones or type of geometry. You can assign detailed material properties to all objects as well as annual hourly operational schedules to occupancy, internal gains, infiltration and individual items of equipment.
Spatial comfort distribution.
Internal temperature analysis.
Spatial Comfort
In addition to internal temperature and loads graphs, ECOTECT can calculate the spatial distribution of both mean radiant temperatures within a model and predicted comfort levels. If you specify activity and clothing levels, it can also work out the distribution of required air movement rates to assist you with ventilation requirements.
Internal Temperatures
Internal hourly temperatures can be shown for any day of the year. Graphs include external temperatures, radiation and wind effects, allowing a full appreciation of the thermal response of any zone.
Temperature Distributions
Statistical analysis is used to provide information on the passive performance of a building. This includes clearly highlighting fabric gains, mass effects and insulation requirements without extensive trial and error.
Heating and Cooling Loads
Monthly space loads can be calculated using real climate data. With full consideration of direct/indirect solar gains, accurate overshadowing, internal gains, inter-zonal heat flow and comprehensive operational schedules, ECOTECT can calculate the demands on any HVAC systems and your clients wallet.
Discomfort Times
In free-running buildings you can calculate the percentage time each month that internal temperatures within each zone are outside a specified comfort band. This allows decision-making to be based as much on comfort as energy usage.
Load Distribution
Heat load distribution graphs are quite different from temperature distributions as they show both the hour and date at which maximum and minimum loads occur. This is especially useful when looking at the effects of thermal mass in a building.
Monthly load distribution for fabric gains, showing effects of thermal mass.
Thermal calculations consider complex multi-layer material effects.
Multi-layer Materials
ECOTECT also allows you to detail the component layers in a multi-layer material. Whilst ECOTECT does not itself use these layers, they are used when exporting to more detailed thermal analysis tools such as HTB2 and EnergyPlus.
Scheduling
Full object scheduling allows definition of all types of elements as on or off, open or closed etc. The resulting thermal analysis using scheduling, takes into account how spaces are used, as well as the use of appliances and equipment within a space.
