PRM baseline VS proposed building documentation

Let's see what we can do here: a-baseline case 1 - envelope requirements - both! residential floors get modeled with residential envelope requirements, non-residential with non-residential 2 - modeling different floors in eQuest - easy to do, just create separate blocks in the wizard mode. Sorry, I can't give eQuest lessons here. 3 - how to average - add the results, divide by 4 4 - zoning - zoning in the base case should match actual zoning design (See Table G3.1 sections 7 & 8, of Appendix G, ASHRAE 90.1-2007) 5 - Read Section G3.1.1 - assuming the office is at least 20,000 sf, it needs to get modeled as a separate system. Depending on your heating source, you are probably System 1, for the residential areas, and System 7 for the Office. 6 - The base case systems get autosized by the program, but you are allowed to add a safety factor to their sizing. It is an input in eQuest. As you mentioned, the design case sizing is per the drawings. 7 - DHW - not clear on the question - read Table G3.1, section 11 - it will answer your question. 8 - landscape lighting - you can calculate exterior lighting separately if you like - in a spreadsheet. Base case should be based on the prescriptive requirements in section 9.4.5 of 90.1 Proposed Building 1 - automatic shades - I don't remember - does eQuest allow automatic shades to be modeled? I would schedule them just like you do any other item in eQuest, but I'm not 100% sure it is in the program - I'll get back to you on that. 2 - parking garage lighting - this likely requires an exceptional calculation measure - I would do this on a spreadsheet, and be careful about documenting your assumptions. 3 - equipment curves - decent curves are already in eQuest, or you can ask the manufacturer. whew! I'm tired.

Yes, you can size your proposed system however you like. Generally oversizing carries with it an efficiency penalty. But the base case that you compare to must be autosized by the modeling program using the safety factors described. If you can live with smaller safety factors in your proposed design, good for you - it may show improved performance compared to the base case.