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The BIg Mistakes Happen on the First Day
Posted by Heather Gayle H... on 11/17/11 at 2:30 am
That's why it's important to start the energy model early. We have developed a process for creating an early-stage energy model using very basic, conceptual information about a design. We call it an "energy snapshot." The project manager fills out this spreadsheet about their project and sends it to me:
![](http://www.lakeflatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Picture2-370x500.png)
I input this information into an energy simulation tool such as REM Rate (residential) or eQUEST (commercial) along with some reasonable assumptions based on building systems our firm typically utilizes and a few minutes later . . . An energy model is born.
This model will be refined throughout the design process to include more accurate information (and thus, more accurate results), but provides a snapshot of how the design is performing relative to our 2030 Challenge goals.