Frequently Asked Questions about Building Energy Modelling Using eQUEST

Question 1

What does the Building Energy Modelling Using eQUEST course cover?

Accepted Answer

The course covers building geometry, thermal zoning, construction assemblies, occupancy schedules, lighting and equipment loads, weather data, HVAC systems, utility inputs, baseline modelling, energy simulations, efficiency measures, output interpretation, and model-calibration concepts.

Question 2

Who should take this eQUEST energy-modelling course?

Accepted Answer

The course is suitable for architecture students, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, building-services professionals, energy modellers, sustainability consultants, HVAC engineers, facility managers, environmental researchers, doctoral scholars, academicians, and green-building professionals.

Question 3

What is building energy modelling?

Accepted Answer

Building energy modelling uses computer simulation to estimate how a building consumes electricity and fuel under different weather, occupancy, envelope, equipment, lighting, and HVAC conditions.

Question 4

What is eQUEST?

Accepted Answer

eQUEST is a building-energy simulation application that uses the DOE-2 calculation engine to model energy consumption, utility costs, building systems, and energy-efficiency alternatives.

Question 5

What types of buildings can be modelled in eQUEST?

Accepted Answer

eQUEST can be used to model a range of commercial and institutional buildings, including offices, schools, hospitals, laboratories, retail spaces, hotels, and other facilities with defined thermal zones and mechanical systems.

Question 6

What information is required to create an eQUEST model?

Accepted Answer

Common inputs include building dimensions, orientation, construction materials, glazing, occupancy, operating schedules, lighting and equipment loads, HVAC specifications, weather data, utility rates, and control settings.

Question 7

What is thermal zoning in a building energy model?

Accepted Answer

Thermal zoning divides a building into areas with similar temperature-control requirements, occupancy patterns, solar exposure, internal loads, or HVAC operation.

Question 8

How does the building envelope affect energy performance?

Accepted Answer

Walls, roofs, floors, windows, insulation, glazing properties, air leakage, and shading influence heat transfer, solar gain, cooling loads, heating loads, and overall energy consumption.

Question 9

How are HVAC systems represented in eQUEST?

Accepted Answer

HVAC systems are represented through equipment types, capacities, efficiencies, controls, airflow, temperature settings, operating schedules, ventilation, heating, cooling, and distribution configurations.

Question 10

Why is weather data important in energy modelling?

Accepted Answer

Weather data provides outdoor temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind, and seasonal conditions that strongly affect heating, cooling, ventilation, and building-envelope performance.

Question 11

What is a baseline building energy model?

Accepted Answer

A baseline model represents the current or reference design and provides a benchmark for comparing alternative materials, systems, controls, schedules, and energy-conservation measures.

Question 12

What energy-efficiency measures can be evaluated in eQUEST?

Accepted Answer

Measures may include improved insulation, high-performance glazing, efficient lighting, occupancy controls, HVAC upgrades, optimized schedules, heat recovery, shading, equipment-efficiency improvements, and control-strategy changes.

Question 13

What outputs can eQUEST generate?

Accepted Answer

eQUEST can generate estimates of electricity and fuel use, peak demand, end-use consumption, monthly performance, system loads, equipment operation, utility costs, and savings from proposed efficiency measures.

Question 14

What is model calibration?

Accepted Answer

Model calibration adjusts assumptions and inputs so simulated energy use more closely matches measured utility data or monitored building performance.

Question 15

How can eQUEST support sustainable building design?

Accepted Answer

eQUEST helps design teams compare energy-performance options before implementation, identify high-consumption systems, evaluate low-energy strategies, estimate savings, and support informed sustainable-design decisions.

Question 16

Can eQUEST estimate building energy costs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When appropriate utility-rate information is entered, eQUEST can estimate energy costs and compare the financial effect of alternative building designs and operational strategies.

Question 17

What skills can learners gain from this course?

Accepted Answer

Learners can develop skills in building-energy model setup, geometry and zoning, envelope definition, schedule creation, HVAC configuration, weather-data selection, baseline development, simulation execution, output interpretation, efficiency-measure comparison, and sustainable building optimization.

Brand	NSTC
Format	Recorded Lectures
Duration	3 Days (60-90 minutes per day)
Level	Intermediate
Domain	building simulation
Hands-On	Yes – Practical projects with industrial datasets
Tools Used	eQUEST Energy Modelling Software, Excel, Google Sheets

Building Energy Modelling and Its Role in Increasing Energy Efficiency of Buildings Using eQUEST

About the Building Energy Modelling Course

Program Highlights

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Day 1 – Fundamentals & Introduction to eQUEST

Module 2: Day 2 – Building a Baseline Model in eQUEST

Module 3: Day 3 – Efficiency Measures, Comparison & Reporting

Tools, Techniques, or Platforms Covered

Real-World Applications

Who Should Attend & Prerequisites