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OpenStudio-HPXML v1.9.0

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@shorowit shorowit released this 16 Nov 06:37
· 18 commits to master since this release
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OpenStudio-HPXML version 1.9.0 has been released. The OpenStudio-HPXML workflow uses HPXML building description files to run residential simulations on the Department of Energy's OpenStudio/EnergyPlus building simulation platform.

OpenStudio-HPXML v1.9.0 uses OpenStudio v3.9.0, EnergyPlus v24.2.0, and HPXML v4.1-rc1. Please visit the OpenStudio-HPXML v1.9.0 documentation for instructions on how to get started, how to generate an appropriate HPXML file, etc. The full set of US TMY3 weather files can be obtained from here.

New Features

  • Updates to OpenStudio 3.9/EnergyPlus 24.2/HPXML v4.1-rc1.
  • Allows Site/Address/ZipCode to be provided instead of ClimateandRiskZones/WeatherStation/extension/EPWFilePath, in which case the closest TMY3 weather station will be automatically selected.
  • Allows optional inputs for modeling skylight curbs and/or shafts.
  • Allows modeling exterior horizontal insulation for a slab-on-grade foundation (or basement/crawlspace floor).
  • Allows alternative infiltration input AirInfiltrationMeasurement/LeakinessDescription, in which the infiltration level is estimated using age of home, climate zone, foundation type, etc.
  • Window shading enhancements:
    • Allows optional InteriorShading/Type input (blinds, shades, curtains) as a way to default summer/winter shading coefficients.
    • Allows optional ExteriorShading/Type input (trees, solar screens/films, etc.) as a way to default summer/winter shading coefficients.
    • Allows optional InsectScreen input.
  • Adds optional BuildingConstruction/UnitHeightAboveGrade input for, e.g., apartment units of upper levels where the wind speed, and thus infiltration rate, is higher.
  • Updates operational calculations (i.e., when NumberofResidents provided):
    • Updates hot water usage based on FSEC study.
    • Updates misc/tv plug load usage based on RECS 2020 data.
    • Updates relationship between number of bedrooms and number of occupants to use RECS 2020 instead of RECS 2015.
  • Allows optional HeatingCapacity and BackupHeatingCapacity inputs for heat pump water heaters (HPWHs).
  • Central Fan Integrated Supply (CFIS) mechanical ventilation enhancements:
    • Allows CFIS systems without automatic flow control of outdoor air (CFISControls/HasOutdoorAirControl=false).
    • Allows CFIS systems with no strategy to meet remainder of ventilation target (CFISControls/AdditionalRuntimeOperatingMode="none").
    • Allows CFIS systems with supplemental fans that run simultaneously with the air handler (CFISControls/extension/SupplementalFanRunsWithAirHandlerFan=true).
    • Allows CFIS systems with timer control, in which ventilation operation occurs at a fixed interval (CFISControls/extension/ControlType="timer").
    • Allows CFIS systems to be attached to ductless HVAC systems like PTHPs (requires using a DSE=1 distribution system, see documentation).
  • HVAC Manual J design load and sizing calculations:
    • Adds optional DistributionSystemType/AirDistribution/extension/ManualJInputs/BlowerFanHeatBtuh input for HVAC equipment whose performance data has not been adjusted for blower heat.
    • Adds optional DistributionSystemType/AirDistribution/extension/ManualJInputs/DefaultTableDuctLoad input to use Manual J default duct factor tables instead of ASHRAE 152.
    • Adds optional DistributionSystemType/HydronicDistribution/extension/ManualJInputs/HotWaterPipingBtuh input to include hydronic distribution piping losses through unconditioned spaces.
    • Adds optional HVACSizingControl/ManualJInputs/InfiltrationShieldingClass input to specify wind shielding class for infiltration design load calculations.
    • Adds optional HVACSizingControl/ManualJInputs/InfiltrationMethod input to specify which method to use for infiltration design load calculations.
    • Updates heat pump HERS sizing methodology to better prevent unmet hours in warmer climates.
    • Misc Manual J design load calculation improvements.
    • Breaking change: Disaggregates "Walls" into "Above Grade Walls" and "Below Grade Walls" in results_design_load_details.csv output file.
    • Significant speed improvements when using optional space-level design load calculations.
  • Advanced research features:
    • Optional input SimulationControl/AdvancedResearchFeatures/OnOffThermostatDeadbandTemperature to model on/off thermostat deadband with start-up degradation for single and two speed AC/ASHP systems and time-based realistic staging for two speed AC/ASHP systems.
    • Optional input SimulationControl/AdvancedResearchFeatures/HeatPumpBackupCapacityIncrement to model multi-stage electric backup coils with time-based staging.
    • Maximum power ratio detailed schedule for variable-speed HVAC systems can now be used with NumberofUnits dwelling unit multiplier.
  • BuildResidentialHPXML measure:
    • Breaking change: Replaced slab_under_width and slab_perimeter_depth arguments with slab_under_insulation_width and slab_perimeter_insulation_depth
    • Breaking change: Replaced schedules_vacancy_periods, schedules_power_outage_periods, and schedules_power_outage_periods_window_natvent_availability arguments with schedules_unavailable_period_types, schedules_unavailable_period_dates, and schedules_unavailable_period_window_natvent_availabilities; this improves flexibility for handling more unavailable period types.
  • Utility bill calculations:
    • Allows OpenEI URDB tariffs that have $/day fixed charges.
    • Updates openei_rates.zip with the latest residential utility rates from the OpenEI U.S. Utility Rate database.
  • Adds a warning if the sum of supply/return duct leakage to outside values is very high.

Bugfixes

  • Prevents possible error if only one of FracSensible/FracLatent are provided for a PlugLoad or FuelLoad; Breaking change: FracSensible and FracLatent must now be both be provided or omitted.
  • Prevents possible error when using multiple Attic/Foundation elements for the same attic/foundation type.
  • Adds error-checking for NumberofConditionedFloorsAboveGrade=0, which is not allowed per the documentation.
  • Fixes utility bill calculations if there is battery storage or a generator.
  • BuildResidentialScheduleFile measure: Fixes possible divide by zero error during generation of stochastic clothes washer and dishwasher schedules.
  • Allows negative values for Building/Site/Elevation.
  • Fixes lower element height for a water heater using the advanced WaterHeatingSystem/extension/TankModelType=stratified.
  • Fixes possible error for a combi boiler system.
  • Fixes error if modeling a ground-to-air heat pump with a separate backup heating system.
  • Fixes default CFIS fan power during ventilation only mode.
  • Fixes a bug that potentially oversizes heat pumps when detailed performance capacity fractions are provided.
  • For a CFIS system with a supplemental fan, fixes supplemental fan runtime when using sub-hourly timesteps.
  • Fixes GSHP rated fan/pump powers in net to gross calculations and improves default modeled pump power (W/ton).