Energy Modeling

Allison Wilson

Sustainability Director

Ayers Saint Gross

LEEDuser Basic Member

5 thumbs up

July 9, 2024

Hey there SDLs!

We're having a debate in our firm about whether we're at a tipping point to hire an in-house energy modeler - someone capable of doing an MEP-caliber energy model inside a design firm. I know some you have in-house energy modelers on staff and I'd love to hear your experiences:

- How did you know your firm was at a point where that was a skillset that made sense to have on staff in lieu of always contracting it out? Now that you have that staff, do you still sometimes contract it out anyway?

- What were the arguments for and against bringing energy modeling in-house?

- What has the lasting value proposition been or not been of maintaining an energy modeler in-house?

- What other elements of your lived experience would you want someone to know so that they might experience success without repeating lessons you've already learned?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and if you happen to be at SDL next week and want to talk there, feel free to find me to talk more =)

Aley

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Alison Nash

Associate, Sustainabilty Coordinator

Sasaki

LEEDuser Premium Member

0 thumbs up

Wed, 07/10/2024 - 18:27

Hi Aley - We can talk more at the summit, of course. Here are some initial thoughts to consider: detailed energy modeling using eQuest, IES, etc. to do code compliance modeling may be better outsourced for liability concerns. Doing better and more informed design energy modeling makes sense to have in house if you have consistent project types. For example, residential multi-family Passive House WUFI models. If you have a varied portfolio, a mix between existing buildings renos and new construction of various types, consider starting with a dedicated energy modeling team on a retainer, instead of hiring. Most of the firms, large and small, in the Boston area that have made the plunge to hiring an in-house, dedicated energy modeler, have seen that person get training then leave. More success has been found when working with a small shop on a retainer instead of hiring on a project by project basis. That way, there is an expert "on call" and this expert is familiar with your workflows or projects and they don't get bored, because they are able to work for other clients, or do other types of work. We are also finding with the codes in MA now that envelope consulting companies that can also do energy modeling helps reduce the burden of communication of detailed technical information between consultant teams. All food for thought, and may largely depend on what you are looking to accomplish with an in-house modeler and how interesting this might be of a position for a potential job candidate.

See you soon! Alison Nash, Sasaki