EnergyPlus Zone Data

EnergyPlus zone data represents individual thermal zone conditions and energy flows within a building. These variables track the performance of each conditioned space separately, providing detailed insights into how different areas of a building respond to HVAC systems, occupancy, and environmental conditions.

Key Characteristics

Zone-Level Resolution

Unlike facility-wide meters, zone data provides granular information for each thermal zone, allowing identification of problem areas or high-performing spaces.

Thermal Performance

Zone variables track both sensible (temperature-related) and latent (humidity-related) energy flows, providing complete thermal analysis.

Comfort Assessment

Variables like temperature, setpoint deviation, and unmet hours help evaluate occupant comfort and system adequacy.

System Interaction

Zone data shows how HVAC systems interact with individual spaces, revealing system efficiency and load distribution patterns.

Common Applications

• Comfort analysis - Evaluating temperature and humidity conditions in each zone

• System sizing - Understanding peak loads and energy requirements per zone

• Energy optimization - Identifying zones with excessive energy consumption

• Indoor air quality - Monitoring CO2 levels and ventilation effectiveness

• Troubleshooting - Finding zones with unmet setpoints or poor performance

• Load balancing - Optimizing HVAC system operation across multiple zones

Zone data enables detailed building performance analysis at the space level, essential for comprehensive building commissioning and optimisation.

Air Quality & Temperature

• Zone Air CO2 Concentration - Carbon dioxide concentration in zone air, indicating ventilation adequacy and occupancy levels

• Zone Air Temperature - Current dry-bulb air temperature within the thermal zone

• Zone Operative Temperature - Combined air and radiant temperature affecting occupant comfort

HVAC System Energy Flows

• Zone Air System Latent Cooling Energy - Energy removed from zone air to reduce humidity (dehumidification)

• Zone Air System Latent Heating Energy - Energy added to zone air to increase humidity (humidification)

• Zone Air System Sensible Cooling Energy - Energy removed from zone air to reduce temperature (cooling)

• Zone Air System Sensible Heating Energy - Energy added to zone air to increase temperature (heating)

Comfort & Performance Metrics

• Zone Cooling Setpoint Not Met Time - Hours when zone temperature exceeded cooling setpoint (too warm)

• Zone Heating Setpoint Not Met Time - Hours when zone temperature fell below heating setpoint (too cold)

• Zone Thermal Comfort Fanger Model PMV - Predicted Mean Vote comfort index (-3 to +3 scale)

Internal Loads Energy

• Zone Electric Equipment Electricity Energy - Electricity consumed by plug loads and equipment within the zone

• Zone Electric Equipment Total Heating Energy - Heat gain to zone from electric equipment operation

• Zone Lights Electricity Energy - Electricity consumed by lighting systems within the zone

• Zone Lights Total Heating Energy - Heat gain to zone from lighting operation

• Zone People Total Heating Energy - Heat gain to zone from occupants (body heat)

Air Exchange Energy

• Zone Infiltration Total Heat Gain Energy - Heat gained by zone due to air infiltration

• Zone Infiltration Total Heat Loss Energy - Heat lost from zone due to air infiltration

• Zone Mechanical Ventilation Cooling Load Increase Energy - Additional cooling needed due to outdoor air ventilation

• Zone Mechanical Ventilation Heating Load Increase Energy - Additional heating needed due to outdoor air ventilation