These tutorials are provided on demand to all registered DesignBuilder users free of charge. They mostly last about 10-20 minutes.

You will probably learn most effectively by "doing" rather than "watching" so do make sure to try out the techniques shown in the tutorials while they are fresh in your mind before moving on to the next tutorial.

These tutorials were produced in DesignBuilder version 3 with EnergyPlus set as the analysis mode. The tutorials cover the fundamentals but there are some important changes in v4 and newer versions, such as the way surface thicknesses are defined in the construction tab. The tutorials are a free resource and will be upgraded just as soon as we can. In the meantime, if you notice any differences between the tutorial and your interface we would advise that you look up the details in the Program Help file.”

1. Getting Started

The Getting Started tutorials provide an overview of how to create DesignBuilder models and run simulations.

• Basics of creating a building model
• Basics of running simulations

2. Basic Geometry (1 - 8 to be completed before attendance on the SBEM 1 day course)

The Basic Geometry series of tutorials explain how to create and modify the blocks used to define building geometry in DesignBuilder.

1. Introduction to the DesignBuilder user interface
2. Creating a model - adding buildings and blocks, drawing guides and snaps
3. Adding, moving and cloning blocks, deleting objects, increment snap, check dimensions of existing objects
4. Rotate, stretch, drag face and construction line tools
5. Adding roofs basics: roof angle conventions, pitched and extruded roofs
6. Cut block, use of protractor tool and outline blocks
7. Zoning blocks by drawing partitions, zone types and zoning protocols 
8. Drawing holes, merging zones and creating an atrium
9. Adding shading and adjacency modification using component blocks
10. Drawing arcs, circular shapes and domes 
11. Importing 2-D floor plans from DXF and bitmaps to help draw blocks and partitions
12. How to create a room in roof
13. How to draw dormer windows 
14. How to model a smaller zone within a larger zone (e.g.an office in a warehouse)

Some DesignBuilder classroom training courses require that you have completed the above Basic Geometry video tutorials.
To let us know you've done this please fill in the Basic Geometry Tutorials Confirmation Form >>

3. Basic Model Data

The Basic Model Data tutorials show how to set up data on the Activity, Constructions, Openings, Lighting and HVAC model data tabs for EnergyPlus simulations.

• Overview of the model data tabs and of data inheritance 
• Starting a new project, adding a building and use of learning mode
• Activity data
• Constructions data  1 - templates, selecting constructions
• Constructions data  2 - adding new constructions, performance, applying to surfaces 
• Drawing windows, doors and sub-surfaces, editing openings at building level 
• Openings model data 
• Shading data
• Lighting and daylight control data
• HVAC data (heating, cooling, ventilation, Domestic Hot Water (DHW)
• Timing, schedules, profiles and holidays
• Hourly weather data

4. Heating Design, Cooling Design and Simulation

The Calculations tutorials explain how to set up DesignBuilder EnergyPlus simulations and analyse results.

• Heating design calculations for sizing heating systems
• Cooling design calculations for sizing cooling systems
• Setting up and running simulations
• Analysing simulation results
• Exporting data and compiling reports

5. Natural Ventilation

• Scheduled natural ventilation and infiltration
• Calculated natural ventilation

6. Daylighting

• Introduction to Daylighting

7. Detailed HVAC

• Introduction to Detailed HVAC
• Activity setpoints, Fresh air settings and HVAC Zone groups
• Adding zone equipment
• Introduction to HVAC loops
• Hot water plant loops, boilers
• Generic air loops, air handling units
• Refrigeration cycle
• Chilled water loops, Chillers and Fan Coil Units
• Condenser loop, Cooling towers
• Heated floors

8. CFD

• Introduction to CFD and External CFD analysis

Further tutorials are under ongoing development and the series will eventually cover all aspects of the software use.

Click here to complete a brief survey to help us to improve future tutorials

Other Video Learning Resources

• Demo of DesignBuilder Simulation capabilities
• DesignBuilder v4 SBEM Update tutorial
• DesignBuilder Webinars
• You can watch all of the DesignBuilder Video Tutorials on YouTube.