FAQ

Changes in Early Stage Design Strategies post COVID-19

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

United Kingdom National Calculation Methodology (NCM) and Cove.tool

The article lists the input references from NCM for energy models located in United Kingdom

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated this week

I have multiple Revit buildings, should I model them at once or each one individually?

A workflow from Revit to cove.tool with multiple buildings in one model. This method streamlines the export of layers for accurate analysis.

Written by Jonathan Essary
Updated over a week ago

How lighting design impact building's performance?

This article compares the Lighting Power Density (LPD) variation with energy codes and their impact on EUI for Education building type.

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Internal Heat Gain Calculation Methodology

Lighting, Equipment, People

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

How to convert ACH value into CFM or L/s

Steps for converting Air Changes per Hour into CFM or L/s values

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) Breakdown Explained

This article provides explanation regarding each term of EUI Breakdown

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Graphics Problems or Screen Lag

Having trouble moving in 3D or experiencing screen lag

Written by Patrick Chopson
Updated over a week ago

Uploading a Data Center project to DDx

Reporting to the 2030 DDx and data center receives "Project failed to update" error

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Custom Template: Supermarket

Steps to create the customized cove.tool template for Supermarket

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Site Context and cove.tool

How does cove.tool generate site context?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Understanding the Automated Report

Report Breakdown, Sources, and Next Steps

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Cooling Tower

How the inputs impact water use calculation

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated this week

Should Parking Structures be Included in the Energy Analysis?

Parking Structure Model

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated this week

Stormwater Management

How to calculate run off on your site

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Indoor Water Use

Engineering Inputs

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Custom Template: Religious Facility (Church, Temple, Mosque, etc.)

Steps to create the customized cove.tool template for Religious Facility

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Irrigation

How the inputs impact water use calculation

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated today

2030 Building Type

How do I know I am selecting the right custom building type?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

My Grasshopper Upload Is Not Working

I get an error or my geometry is not showing up

Written by Patrick Chopson
Updated over a week ago

Custom Template: Warehouse

Steps to create the customized cove.tool template for Warehouse

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Custom Template: Automotive Facility (Car Dealership)

Steps to create the customized cove.tool template for Automotive Facility

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Custom Template: Library

Steps to create the customized cove.tool template for Library

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Custom Template: K-12 School

Steps to create the customized cove.tool template for K-12 School

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

How to create a copy of your project?

FAQ: Create duplicate, clone, copy of a cove.tool project

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Custom Template: Gymnasium

Steps to create the customized cove.tool template for Gymnasium

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Manual Mode vs. 3D Mode

FAQ: What are the difference between Manual Mode and 3D Mode?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Embodied Carbon and Cove.tool

Using the EC3 Database through cove.tool

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated today

Exporting Parametric Geometry with the Rhino/Grasshopper Plugin

FAQ: Parametric Geometry for cove.tool workflow

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How can I change my Password and what is required?

How complicated should your password be?

Written by Jonathan Essary
Updated over a week ago

Benefits of being a Web application

What is a web app? Why is cove.tool a web application?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Walk Score/Transit Score/Bike Score

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

How does the Revit Plugin Work? Can I create my own View Templates?

FAQ: Revit Plugin

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Unable to export with SketchUp Plugin

FAQ: Troubleshooting SketchUp Plugin

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Is there a way to export my daylight analysis image from cove.tool?

Daylight Export, using the snapshot button

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

What to avoid in Revit for cove.tool workflow?

What Revit model/family/categories/situations should I avoid when preparing a model for the cove.tool plugin export process?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Project not visible in Daylight Page

FAQ: "The daylight simulation has completed, but I don't see my model. What happened?"

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Payback Years

What do the Payback years represent in the cove.tool Optimization

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

CBECS and cove.tool

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Create Custom Templates

Can I select a different use-type template in cove.tool?

Written by Damini Ganesh
Updated over a week ago

How to Model Energy Recovery in Cove.tool?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Performance and Prescriptive Path for Building Code Compliance

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Why am I getting 0.0% sDA? or 100% sDA?

FAQ: My project has windows but I am getting no daylight penetration! Or my project is getting 100% sDA which is impossible!

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

2016 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC)

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

2019 Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Seattle Energy Code Amendments to Washington Energy Code 2015

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Title 24 2016 and 2019

Cove.tool automates the energy modeling inputs for the California Energy Code

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

The Ideal Revit Model for the cove.tool workflow

FAQ - Cleaning up, prepping, and following best practices for Revit

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Washington State Energy Code Amendments to IECC 2015/ASHRAE 2013

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

How to share a Revit File with cove.tool

How to package and share a Revit Model for Troubleshooting

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Installing the Plugins

How do I install the Revit, Rhino/Grasshopper, and SketchUp plugin?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How to convert EER value to COP?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Setting up the AIA 2030 DDX with cove.tool

How to upload your cove.tool projects to AIA 2030 DDX Dashboard.

Written by Damini Ganesh
Updated over a week ago

Optimization and Bundles

How to use the Change Option & Optimization Feature in cove.tool?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How to select Single Family Home as your building type!

Written by Damini Ganesh
Updated over a week ago

Full Floor Plate Daylight Analysis

Daylighting explanations and assumptions

Written by Patrick Chopson
Updated over a week ago

Cove.tool and Toronto Green Standard (TGS)

Learn how Cove.tool can help with Design Development Stage Energy Report Submission (DDSER)

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

How to report a cove.tool project to an existing 2030 ddx project?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How to Model 'Only Heating' or 'Only Cooling' Systems in Cove.tool?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

How to Model a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) in Cove.tool?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Compare Projects Feature

How can I compare my projects?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Facade Guidance Feature

FAQ - How to use the Small Room Rapid Prototyping Facade Tool

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated today

Understanding costs in cove.tool

FAQ - Where does cove.tool get cost values?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How to format the automated PDF Report

FAQ: My report looks strange, is cut-off, or is missing graphics, how do I fix that?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How do the Plugins know which direction is North? How can I check?

Plugin FAQ

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How do I use the Water Use feature?

Using cove.tool's indoor water use calculator

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Why is my building already 60% more efficient than the 2030 Baseline, before any changes or optimization?

FAQ - Understanding the Baseline Energy Page and Report

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How to do a Massing Study in cove.tool?

Using cove.tool to create a massing report

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Troubleshooting the Grasshopper Plugin

Plugin FAQ - Common Rhino/Grasshopper Obstacles and Solutions

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Troubleshooting the SketchUp Plugin

Plugin FAQ - Common SketchUp Obstacles and Solutions

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How do I export building geometry for a mixed-use project with the Revit Plugin?

Video Tutorial for multi-use project in Revit

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Can the Revit Plugin be used on a working model?

Plugins FAQ

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Compatible modeling approaches in cove.tool's SketchUp Plugin

Plugins FAQ

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Does the Revit Plugin import my project's material properties?

Plugins FAQ

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Using a Architectural Model vs Mechanical Model for the Plugin Export Process

Plugins FAQ

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Why has the Revit Plug-in created an empty view(s)? or incomplete?

Plugins FAQ

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Why did the Revit Plug-in miscalculate my building's height?

Plugins FAQ

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

What is a floating license?

How cove.tool uses floating licenses

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How does shading impact design performance?

Misconceptions about shading and energy

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

How does cove.tool calculate Carbon Emissions and CO2 %Reduction?

Architecture 2030 Zero Tool and cove.tool

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Truckloads of Ice Saved with Proposed Design

Buildings contribute to 40% of carbon emissions. Scientist have shown a direct relationship between carbon emissions and glacial ice melt

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Is there a SketchUp Plugin

Yes, we have an all new SketchUp Plugin

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Impact of Glazing Properties on Energy Use Intensity

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Engineering Inputs and cove.tool

Efficiency Spectrum - What values should I be using?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated this week

Occupancy Schedule Calculation Method

Methodology for calculating active hours for building for ASHRAE and NECB

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

AIA 2030 and cove.tool

Does cove.tool have any AIA 2030 connections?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

LEED points and cove.tool

Can cove.tool help me earn LEED points?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Comparison Between OpenStudio (EnergyPlus) and Cove.tool

Case Study: Emory University's Goodrich C. White Hall located in Atlanta,GA

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Why Correct Inputs Are Important In an Energy Model?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Choosing the Right HVAC System for Your Design

Case Study: PNNL Large Office building type in Atlanta, GA

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

What is TEDI?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

What is ASHRAE 62.1

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

What is NECB?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

How to cancel your cove.tool account

Cancelling your cove.tool account

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

What is ASHRAE 90.1?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

What is Title 24?

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

Mixed-Use

How to make a Mixed-use project?

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Cove.tool and UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

Written by Akshay Padwal
Updated over a week ago

How does Cove.tool compare to Energy Plus

Cove.tool vs Energy Plus: 8 Building Types. 9 Climate Zones

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Mechanical Ventilation Air

How cove.tool calculates your Mechanical Ventilation Air

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Comparing the Energy Codes: US vs CANADA

Comparing ASHRAE 90.1 2013 and Canada NECB 2015

Written by Marco Aguirre
Updated over a week ago

Title 24 Models with cove.tool

California Title 24 Projects

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Can cove.tool be used for projects outside USA?

Absolutely. The software has the ability to model in multiple unit systems and codes.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Owner and Administrator Roles

What is an Owner v/s Administrator

Written by Damini Ganesh
Updated over a week ago

How is the baseline cost calculated?

We get data from industry standard cost estimating software.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

How is the cost premium calculated?

It is the "Total Cost" - "Baseline Cost"

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

How do I calculate the wall area?

Get the area of the exterior surface of the wall excluding windows.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

How do I add a new HVAC system that is not in the dropdown?

Just submit a ticket defining the HVAC system you are trying to model and we will work with our building science specialist to get that in.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Is there a Rhino Plugin

Yes, there is a Rhinoceros Plugin using Grasshopper for Parametric capabilities.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Is there an Autodesk Revit Plugin

We have a Revit plugin which you can easily download.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Can I define Zones in my model?

Since this is an early stage to schematic design tool, splitting into zones does not make sense.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

What stage of the project is cove.tool best suited for?

It is an early stage design tool best suited for Schematic Design through 80% Design Development.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Does cove.tool export to EnergyPlus or gbXML?

No, cove.tool is intended for early design when detailed simulations are not possible but the effect of decisions has the most impact.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Can I model complex geometry?

Yes, any shape of building is supported. This can be done using any of the plugins or by simply entering the data.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

What is the simulation engine being used?

Normative energy calculator defined by ISO 13790 and CEN 15603 and proven to be accurate to within 5% of tools such as EnergyPlus or eQuest

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

Can I define my own baseline model?

Yes. You can do so by defining your role as a “mechanical engineer” at the beginning of the project to access and modify the details.

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago

How do I install cove.tool?

Cove.tool is a web app, and does not need to be installed on any particular computer. You can access your projects from anywhere on the web

Written by Sandeep Ahuja
Updated over a week ago