cove.tool has pre-created templates for 8 building types, but also allows advanced users to create a custom template that fit any 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 right hand corner of the web app.

First step is selecting a current building type template. The practical knowledge of knowing one’s building use type is important to recognize the particularities of type specific energy consumption and expenditure. The key parameters which impact the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) include Mechanical Ventilation Supply Air Flow Rates, Lighting Power Density (LPD), Appliance Power Density (APD), Occupancy Schedule, HVAC System Type, Envelope Properties, Domestic Hot Water Demand, etc. This article discusses the fundamentally unique engineering input values to create an ice rink template.

Set the ‘Project Name’ as the intended building use template and select the ‘Building Type’ that closely resembles the intended use. Also, check the box below the Energy Code to make the project a template for firmwide use. The energy code selected for this Ice Rink template is ASHRAE 2016 or NECB 2017. The Building type Retail closely resembles the occupancy, equipment load, and ventilation rates required for an Ice Rink.

Learning more about each existing system and how they are identified/ differentiated is key to creating a new template. 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 the 'Baseline Energy' page so that it'll be easier to understand that the project has been converted to a custom template. Simply click the tab title to edit.

Adjust the Mechanical Ventilation Supply Air Flow Rates accordingly. The supply airflow rate for an Ice Rink is not specified, so the occupancy category Gym, stadium (play area) is referenced instead: the people outdoor air rate is 20 cfm/person, or 9.44 L/s/person, and the area outdoor air rate is 0.18 cfm/ft2, or 0.9144 L/s/m2, according to ASHRAE 62.1 Table 6.2.2.1.

Adjust the Lighting Power Density according to the use type. The Lighting Power Density (LPD) maximum allowable value (0.68 W/ft2, or 7.32 W/m2) is taken from ASHRAE 90.1 version 2016 for Gymnasium.

Adjust the Appliance Power Density (APD) according to the use type. The Appliance or Equipment Power Density acceptable value (0.25 W/ft2 or 2.7W/m2) is taken from ASHRAE 90.1 User’s Manual Version 2013.

Edit the 2030 building type to match with the modeled building and hit 'recalculate' to get an accurate 2030 benchmark for energy and carbon emissions.

Adjust other engineering inputs such as occupancy schedules, total occupancy, heating/cooling setpoints etc. according to the building type and hit 'recalculate' to include that in analysis. For the Ice Rink template, the 'Metabolic Rate' has been switched to 'Standing', since it is assumed that the majority of the occupants are spectators standing within the seating area around the rink and not engaging in high activity, like those on the rink are. If your project does not have much seating area and it is assumed that most occupants are skating, you can switch the metabolic rate to 'Walking' or 'Sports' and lower the total occupancy.

The created template can be used by another team member by using the "copy" button within the Projects page.
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Also, when the Step 2 is followed, the platform will automatically update all name tags in the report for the users.
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Note, these custom template inputs are suggestions for a generic ice rink type use only. These should not be used for any other type of building and should always be checked by a project's mechanical engineer.

Happy modeling!

Find a list of all custom building type articles here.