cove.tool has pre-created templates for 8 building types but also allows advanced users to create custom template that fits the project's specific conditions. Users also have the ability to validate any value assumptions with the cove.tool technical team using the Live Chat Box feature, found on the bottom left hand corner of the web app

First step is selecting an existing building type template. Building Type is a template used in cove.tool to differentiate commercial buildings into categories of buildings. The key parameters which impacts the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) include Mechanical Ventilation Supply Air Flow Rate (CFM), Lighting Power Density (LPD), Equipment Power Density (EPD), Occupancy Schedule, HVAC System Type, Envelope Properties, Domestic Hot Water Demand, Air Changes per Hour (ACH), etc. This article discusses the fundamentally different engineering input values to create Supermarket Template.

Set the ‘Project Name’ as intended building use template and select the ‘Building Type’ that closely resembles to the intended use. Also, check the box below the Energy Code to make the project a template for firm-wide use(highlighted in red in the image below). The energy code selected for the Supermarket is ASHRAE 2016. The Building type Retail and Office are selected to represent the Sales area and the equipment intensive Deli+Bakery+Refrigeration area in supermarkets. The mixed-use method is chosen to represent the intense refrigeration load of the supermarkets accurately.

After selecting a building type, complete your project and geometry pages. The next key step occurs in the baseline energy tab.

Modify the Building Type name in 'Baseline Energy' page so that it is easier to understand that the project has been converted to custom template.

Adjust the Mechanical Ventilation Supply Air Flow Rate (CFM) accordingly. The supply air flow rate based on ASHRAE 62.1 Table 6.2.2.1 for Supermarket is 7.5 cfm/person and 0.06 CFM/ft2.

The Deli_Bakery_Refrigeration area total CFM should be updated based on the rate 0.36 CFM/ft2 (Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)).

Adjust the Lighting Power Density according to the use type. The Lighting Power Density (LPD) maximum allowable value (1.06 W/ft2) is updated for both modified use-types.

Adjust the Equipment Power Density (EPD) according to the use type. The Equipment Power Density (EPD) acceptable value for supermarket is 0.25 W/ft2 according to the ASHRAE User's Manual.

The EPD value for Deli_Bakery_Refrigeration value is calibrated to reflect the high intensity of equipment use.

Infiltration value for supermarket has been increased to 5 to reflect the air leakage caused by the in-and-out movement of the people.

Edit the 2030 building type to match with the modeled building and hit 'recalculate' to get accurate 2030 baseline EUI value.

Adjust other engineering inputs such as occupancy schedules, occupant density, heating/cooling set points etc. according to the building type and hit 'recalculate' to include that in analysis. Other inputs can be edited via engineering inputs tab to make the customized template.

It is interesting to note that the created template can be cloned and modified further by different user.

Also, when the Step 2 is followed, cove.tool will automatically update all name tags in the report for the users.

Happy modeling!

Find a list of all custom building type articles here.