Simulation Weather Data

Location tab on model data at Site level

Hourly weather data

Select the hourly weather data from the list of Hourly weather data components. These components reference the epw file that will be actually used in the simulation.

DesignBuilder uses EnergyPlus epw format hourly weather data for simulations (heating and cooling design calculations use much simpler design weather data).

There is no direct link between hourly weather data and the ASHRAE design values on the Winter and Summer design data tabs.

You can review, edit and convert weather using the Weather Data Analysis dialog.

You can also add your own hourly weather data.

Note: As well as being used for EnergyPlus simulations, the hourly weather file is also used for Annual daylighting simulations.

See also the Site level data and weather files and Hourly weather data tutorials.

Day of week for start day

For flexibility, the day of week indicated in the weather file can be overridden by this field’s value. Select from:

• 1-Sunday,

• 2-Monday,

• 3-Tuesday,

• 4-Wednesday,

• 5-Thursday,

• 6-Friday,

• 7-Saturday,

• 8-Use weather file - use the weather file to decide the first day of the week.

This value will be used as the Start day of the week for the simulation. The default is 8-Use weather file where the day of week comes from the weather file.

Note: There is an option to specify the Start year of the simulation on the Simulation Calculation options dialog. When the start year is specified it overrides this setting and the year will define the day of the week of the start day.