Prepare your model output
SimReader reads the reports your simulation already writes. Check these settings before you run the final simulations, so the upload works the first time.
On this page
For every model
- Include utility rates. InverseHub compares the designs by energy cost, and SimReader takes the rates from the reports. A model without rates can’t be read.
- Use the same rate names in the baseline and proposed models. After reading, SimReader warns you when the rate names differ for a meter, because the two designs would then be priced differently.
- Keep unmet load hours low. SimReader shows them for both designs and marks a total over 300 hours in red.
eQUEST (DOE-2)
SimReader reads the ES-D (energy cost summary) and PS-F (energy end-use summary) reports of the .SIM file. eQUEST writes both by default once the model has utility rates.
The ES-D report prints only the first 4 characters of each meter name. Keep meter names to 4 characters (for example EM1, EM1A, FM1), or make sure the first 4 characters differ. SimReader shows a Meter name warning when two meters in one file share their first 4 characters.
EnergyPlus and OpenStudio
SimReader reads three groups of tables in eplustbl.html (or eplustbl.htm): LEED Summary, Building Energy Performance and Tariff Report.
If SimReader says Report tables missing, add the objects below to your IDF file and run the simulation again.
Output tables SimReader needs
Output:Table:Monthly,
Building Energy Performance - Electricity, !- Name
2, !- Digits After Decimal
InteriorLights:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 1
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 1
ExteriorLights:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 2
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 2
InteriorEquipment:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 3
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 3
ExteriorEquipment:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 4
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 4
Fans:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 5
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 5
Pumps:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 6
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 6
Heating:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 7
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 7
Cooling:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 8
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 8
HeatRejection:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 9
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 9
Humidifier:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 10
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 10
HeatRecovery:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 11
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 11
WaterSystems:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 12
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 12
Cogeneration:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 13
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 13
Refrigeration:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 14
SumOrAverage; !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 14
Output:Table:Monthly,
Building Energy Performance - Natural Gas, !- Name
2, !- Digits After Decimal
InteriorEquipment:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 1
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 1
ExteriorEquipment:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 2
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 2
Heating:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 3
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 3
Cooling:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 4
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 4
WaterSystems:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 5
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 5
Cogeneration:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 6
SumOrAverage; !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 6
Output:Table:Monthly,
Building Energy Performance - District Heating, !- Name
2, !- Digits After Decimal
InteriorLights:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 1
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 1
ExteriorLights:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 2
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 2
InteriorEquipment:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 3
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 3
ExteriorEquipment:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 4
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 4
Fans:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 5
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 5
Pumps:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 6
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 6
Heating:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 7
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 7
Cooling:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 8
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 8
HeatRejection:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 9
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 9
Humidifier:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 10
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 10
HeatRecovery:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 11
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 11
WaterSystems:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 12
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 12
Cogeneration:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 13
SumOrAverage; !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 13
Output:Table:Monthly,
Building Energy Performance - District Cooling, !- Name
2, !- Digits After Decimal
InteriorLights:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 1
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 1
ExteriorLights:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 2
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 2
InteriorEquipment:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 3
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 3
ExteriorEquipment:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 4
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 4
Fans:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 5
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 5
Pumps:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 6
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 6
Heating:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 7
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 7
Cooling:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 8
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 8
HeatRejection:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 9
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 9
Humidifier:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 10
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 10
HeatRecovery:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 11
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 11
WaterSystems:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 12
SumOrAverage, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 12
Cogeneration:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 13
SumOrAverage; !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 13
Output:Table:Monthly,
Building Energy Performance - Electricity Peak Demand, !- Name
2, !- Digits After Decimal
Electricity:Facility, !- Variable or Meter Name 1
Maximum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 1
InteriorLights:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 2
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 2
ExteriorLights:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 3
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 3
InteriorEquipment:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 4
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 4
ExteriorEquipment:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 5
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 5
Fans:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 6
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 6
Pumps:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 7
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 7
Heating:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 8
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 8
Cooling:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 9
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 9
HeatRejection:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 10
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 10
Humidifier:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 11
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 11
HeatRecovery:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 12
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 12
WaterSystems:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 13
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 13
Cogeneration:Electricity, !- Variable or Meter Name 14
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum; !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 14
Output:Table:Monthly,
Building Energy Performance - Natural Gas Peak Demand, !- Name
2, !- Digits After Decimal
NaturalGas:Facility, !- Variable or Meter Name 1
Maximum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 1
InteriorEquipment:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 2
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 2
ExteriorEquipment:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 3
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 3
Heating:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 4
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 4
Cooling:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 5
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 5
WaterSystems:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 6
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 6
Cogeneration:NaturalGas, !- Variable or Meter Name 7
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum; !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 7
Output:Table:Monthly,
Building Energy Performance - District Heating Peak Demand, !- Name
2, !- Digits After Decimal
DistrictHeating:Facility, !- Variable or Meter Name 1
Maximum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 1
InteriorLights:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 2
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 2
ExteriorLights:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 3
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 3
InteriorEquipment:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 4
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 4
ExteriorEquipment:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 5
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 5
Fans:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 6
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 6
Pumps:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 7
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 7
Heating:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 8
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 8
Cooling:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 9
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 9
HeatRejection:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 10
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 10
Humidifier:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 11
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 11
HeatRecovery:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 12
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 12
WaterSystems:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 13
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 13
Cogeneration:DistrictHeating, !- Variable or Meter Name 14
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum; !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 14
Output:Table:Monthly,
Building Energy Performance - District Cooling Peak Demand, !- Name
2, !- Digits After Decimal
DistrictCooling:Facility, !- Variable or Meter Name 1
Maximum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 1
InteriorLights:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 2
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 2
ExteriorLights:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 3
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 3
InteriorEquipment:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 4
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 4
ExteriorEquipment:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 5
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 5
Fans:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 6
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 6
Pumps:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 7
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 7
Heating:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 8
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 8
Cooling:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 9
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 9
HeatRejection:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 10
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 10
Humidifier:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 11
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 11
HeatRecovery:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 12
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 12
WaterSystems:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 13
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum, !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 13
Cogeneration:DistrictCooling, !- Variable or Meter Name 14
ValueWhenMaximumOrMinimum; !- Aggregation Type for Variable or Meter 14
Output:Table:SummaryReports,
AllSummary; !- Report 1 Name
Example utility rates
Your model needs utility rates for SimReader to read it. If it has none yet, these two flat rates (electricity and natural gas) are an example to adapt. Use your project’s actual tariffs for compliance work.
UtilityCost:Tariff,
Example A FlatEnergyCharge, ! Name
ElectricityPurchased:Facility, !- Output Meter Name
kWh, ! Conversion Factor Choice
, ! Energy Conversion Factor
, ! Demand Conversion Factor
, ! Time of Use Period Schedule Name
, ! Season Schedule Name
, ! Month Schedule Name
, ! Demand Window Length
0.0; ! Monthly Charge or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
FlatEnergyCharge, ! Charge Variable Name
Example A FlatEnergyCharge, ! Tariff Name
totalEnergy, ! Source Variable
Annual, ! Season
EnergyCharges, ! Category Variable Name
0.095; ! Cost Per Unit Value or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Tariff,
FlatEnergyCharge-Gas, !- Name
NaturalGas:Facility, !- Output Meter Name
Therm, !- Conversion Factor Choice
, !- Energy Conversion Factor
, !- Demand Conversion Factor
, !- Time of Use Period Schedule Name
, !- Season Schedule Name
, !- Month Schedule Name
, !- Demand Window Length
0.0; !- Monthly Charge or Variable Name
UtilityCost:Charge:Simple,
SimpleEnergyCharge, !- Utility Cost Charge Simple Name
FlatEnergyCharge-Gas, !- Tariff Name
totalEnergy, !- Source Variable
Annual, !- Season
EnergyCharges, !- Category Variable Name
0.50;
DesignBuilder
DesignBuilder runs EnergyPlus, so the EnergyPlus tables above apply. To get the report file, open Simulation > Summary and select Export in the Help panel.
Where to find the report files
| Software | File | Where |
|---|---|---|
| eQUEST | .SIM (one per run) | The folder of the .pd2 and .inp files, usually Documents\eQUEST 3-65 Projects\{project} |
| EnergyPlus | eplustbl.html | The folder of the .idf file, or the output folder you chose for the run |
| OpenStudio | eplustbl.html or eplustbl.htm | {folder of the .osm}\{model name}\reports\ or \run\ |
| DesignBuilder | eplustbl.htm | Exported from Simulation > Summary (see above) |
Units SimReader uses
SimReader converts every report to the same units, whatever the report uses (joules, GJ, MMBtu and so on). See SimReader units.