OVERVIEW
Design-stage tools for modeling the appearance and performance of projects are getting better all the time. They’re getting smarter, too, and more user-friendly for people without an engineering degree.
But there is no substitute for understanding how your building works, and being able to squint-test the results from any simulation. Knowing what each tool is good for—and how to leverage its strengths—is one key to effective performance simulation.
The other is knowing what questions to ask so you don’t waste time modeling scenarios that don’t matter.
IN-DEPTH
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Websites Explain Energy Tax Incentives
News Brief
There is much guidance available online for the financial incentives created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and other incentive programs.
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Energy Star Facilitates Bulk Purchasing
News Brief
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EPA Watershed Planning Tool Available
News Brief
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Open Architecture Network Takes Off
News Brief
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Athena Institute Releases EcoCalculator
News Brief
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DOE Releases EnergyPlus 2.0
News Brief
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Special BuildingGreen Suite Rate for Interior Designers
Op-Ed
Members of either of the two major associations of interior designers can now receive a special subscription rate to BuildingGreen Suite through an arrangement with BuildingGreen.
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Green Globes Announces Life-Cycle Assessment Tool for Rating Systems
News Analysis
A new software tool from the Green Building Initiative promises to help designers make smarter environmental choices based on life-cycle assessment.
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EPA Eases Requirements for Chemical Release Reporting
News Brief
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Canada Puts Chemicals Under Scrutiny
News Analysis
The Canadian government has unveiled a new plan to assess 4,000 potentially toxic chemicals.
