This program calculates annual building loads. You spend a few minutes inputting data on a building, and the program calculates the annual energy use. Then you can change a window to double-paned, put a light-colored roof on, shade one wall with a tree, or paint the building a light color; then find out how your bills will be affected. Absolutely no engineering or construction experience is required.
This is the same as the Energy Auditor 2.0 spreadsheet. It’s a little less complicated to use, but it still operates like a spreadsheet: the calculations are updated with every new value as soon as you move to a new field.
How to Use This Program
The value of this program isn’t the annual energy use, which does not include many important variables, but in the RELATIVE DIFFERENCE between different conditions – changing the roof or wall color or type of windows.
Many projects are sold to consumers to save energy. Going from single to double pane windows saves energy, but it’s a very expensive project. Exactly how much energy do you save? Divide the total cost by the annual savings, and you get the payback period. If the payback is more than 3-4 years, it’s a waste of your good money.
