Workflow Inputs

OpenStudio-HPXML requires a building description in an HPXML file format. HPXML is an open data standard for collecting and transferring home energy data. Using HPXML files reduces the complexity and effort for software developers to leverage the EnergyPlus simulation engine.

Using HPXML

HPXML is an flexible and extensible format, where nearly all elements in the schema are optional and custom elements can be included. Because of this, a stricter set of requirements for the HPXML file have been developed for purposes of running EnergyPlus simulations.

HPXML files submitted to OpenStudio-HPXML undergo a two step validation process:

  1. Validation against the HPXML Schema

The HPXML XSD Schema can be found at HPXMLtoOpenStudio/resources/hpxml_schema/HPXML.xsd. XSD Schemas are used to validate what elements/attributes/enumerations are available, data types for elements/attributes, the number/order of children elements, etc.

  1. Validation using Schematron

The Schematron document for the EnergyPlus use case can be found at HPXMLtoOpenStudio/resources/hpxml_schematron/EPvalidator.xml. Schematron is a rule-based validation language, expressed in XML using XPath expressions, for validating the presence or absence of inputs in XML files. As opposed to an XSD Schema, a Schematron document validates constraints and requirements based on conditionals and other logical statements. For example, if an element is specified with a particular value, the applicable enumerations of another element may change.

OpenStudio-HPXML automatically validates the HPXML file against both the XSD and Schematron documents and reports any validation errors, but software developers may find it beneficial to also integrate validation into their software.

Input Defaults

A large number of elements in the HPXML file are optional and can be defaulted. Default values, equations, and logic are described throughout this documentation.

For example, suppose a HPXML file has a refrigerator defined as follows:

<Refrigerator>
  <SystemIdentifier id='Refrigerator1'/>
</Refrigerator>

Default values would be used for the refrigerator energy use, location, and schedule:

<Refrigerator>
  <SystemIdentifier id='Refrigerator1'/>
  <Location dataSource='software'>conditioned space</Location>
  <RatedAnnualkWh dataSource='software'>691.0</RatedAnnualkWh>
  <PrimaryIndicator dataSource='software'>true</PrimaryIndicator>
  <extension>
    <UsageMultiplier dataSource='software'>1.0</UsageMultiplier>
    <WeekdayScheduleFractions dataSource='software'>0.040, 0.039, 0.038, 0.037, 0.036, 0.036, 0.038, 0.040, 0.041, 0.041, 0.040, 0.040, 0.042, 0.042, 0.042, 0.041, 0.044, 0.048, 0.050, 0.048, 0.047, 0.046, 0.044, 0.041</WeekdayScheduleFractions>
    <WeekendScheduleFractions dataSource='software'>0.040, 0.039, 0.038, 0.037, 0.036, 0.036, 0.038, 0.040, 0.041, 0.041, 0.040, 0.040, 0.042, 0.042, 0.042, 0.041, 0.044, 0.048, 0.050, 0.048, 0.047, 0.046, 0.044, 0.041</WeekendScheduleFractions>
    <MonthlyScheduleMultipliers dataSource='software'>0.837, 0.835, 1.084, 1.084, 1.084, 1.096, 1.096, 1.096, 1.096, 0.931, 0.925, 0.837</MonthlyScheduleMultipliers>
  </extension>
</Refrigerator>

These defaults will be reflected in the EnergyPlus simulation results.

Note

The OpenStudio-HPXML workflow generally treats missing elements differently than missing values. For example, if there is no Refrigerator element defined, the simulation will proceed without refrigerator energy use. On the other hand, if there is a Refrigerator element but with no values defined (i.e., no Location or RatedAnnualkWh), it is assumed that a refrigerator exists but its properties are unknown, so they will be defaulted in the model.

See HPXML Defaults for information on how default values can be inspected.

HPXML Software Info

High-level simulation inputs are entered in /HPXML/SoftwareInfo.

HPXML Simulation Control

EnergyPlus simulation controls are entered in /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/SimulationControl.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

Timestep

integer

minutes

Divisor of 60

No

60 (1 hour)

Timestep

BeginMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12 [1]

No

1 (January)

Run period start date

BeginDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

No

1

Run period start date

EndMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

No

12 (December)

Run period end date

EndDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

No

31

Run period end date

CalendarYear

integer

> 1600 [2]

No

2007 (for TMY weather) [3]

Calendar year (for start day of week)

TemperatureCapacitanceMultiplier

double

> 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on air heat capacitance [4]

HPXML Emissions Scenarios

One or more emissions scenarios can be entered as an /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/EmissionsScenarios/EmissionsScenario. If not entered, emissions will not be calculated.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

Name

string

Yes

Name of the scenario (which shows up in the output file)

EmissionsType

string

See [5]

Yes

Type of emissions (e.g., CO2e)

EmissionsFactor

element

See [6]

Emissions factor(s) for a given fuel type; multiple are allowed

See Annual Outputs and Timeseries Outputs for descriptions of how the calculated emissions appear in the output files.

Electricity Emissions

For each scenario, electricity emissions factors must be entered as an /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/EmissionsScenarios/EmissionsScenario/EmissionsFactor.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FuelType

string

electricity

Yes

Emissions factor fuel type

Units

string

See [7]

Yes

Emissions factor units

Value or ScheduleFilePath

double or string

See [8]

Yes

Emissions factor annual value or schedule file with hourly values

If an electricity schedule file is used, additional information can be entered in the /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/EmissionsScenarios/EmissionsScenario/EmissionsFactor.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

NumberofHeaderRows

integer

#

>= 0

No

0

Number of header rows in the schedule file

ColumnNumber

integer

#

>= 1

No

1

Column number of the data in the schedule file

Fuel Emissions

For each scenario, fuel emissions factors can be optionally entered as an /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/EmissionsScenarios/EmissionsScenario/EmissionsFactor.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FuelType

string

See [9]

Yes

Emissions factor fuel type

Units

string

See [10]

Yes

Emissions factor units

Value

double

Yes

Emissions factor annual value

Default Values

If EmissionsType is “CO2e”, “NOx” or “SO2” and a given fuel’s emissions factor is not entered, they will be defaulted as follows.

Fuel Type

CO2e [lb/MBtu]

NOx [lb/MBtu]

SO2 [lb/MBtu]

natural gas

147.3

0.0922

0.0006

propane

177.8

0.1421

0.0002

fuel oil

195.9

0.1300

0.0015

coal

wood

wood pellets

Default values in lb/MBtu (million Btu) are from ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2022 Addendum B and include both combustion and pre-combustion (e.g., methane leakage for natural gas) emissions.

If no default value is available, a warning will be issued.

HPXML Utility Bill Scenarios

One or more utility bill scenarios can be entered as an /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/UtilityBillScenarios/UtilityBillScenario. If not entered, utility bills will not be calculated.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

Name

string

Yes

Name of the scenario (which shows up in the output file)

UtilityRate

element

No

Utility rate(s) for a given fuel type; multiple are allowed

PVCompensation

element

No

PV compensation information

See Utility Bill Outputs for a description of how the calculated utility bills appear in the output files.

Electricity Rates

For each scenario, electricity rates can be optionally entered as an /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/UtilityBillScenarios/UtilityBillScenario/UtilityRate. Electricity rates can be entered using Simple inputs or Detailed inputs.

Simple

For simple utility rate structures, inputs can be entered using a fixed charge and a marginal rate.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FuelType

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

FixedCharge

double

$/month

No

12.0

Monthly fixed charge [11]

MarginalRate

double

$/kWh

No

See [12]

Marginal flat rate

Detailed

For detailed utility rate structures, inputs can be entered using a tariff JSON file.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FuelType

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

TariffFilePath

string

Yes

Path to tariff JSON file [13]

Fuel Rates

For each scenario, fuel rates can be optionally entered as an /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/UtilityBillScenarios/UtilityBillScenario/UtilityRate.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FuelType

string

See [14]

Yes

Fuel type

FixedCharge

double

$/month

No

See [15]

Monthly fixed charge

MarginalRate

double

See [16]

No

See [17]

Marginal flat rate

PV Compensation

For each scenario, PV compensation information can be optionally entered in /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/UtilityBillScenarios/UtilityBillScenario/PVCompensation.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

CompensationType[NetMetering | FeedInTariff]

element

No

NetMetering

PV compensation type

MonthlyGridConnectionFee[Units="$/kW" or Units="$"]/Value

double

No

0

PV monthly grid connection fee

Net-Metering

If the PV compensation type is net-metering, additional information can be entered in /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/UtilityBillScenarios/UtilityBillScenario/PVCompensation/CompensationType/NetMetering.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

AnnualExcessSellbackRateType

string

See [18]

No

User-Specified

Net metering annual excess sellback rate type [19]

AnnualExcessSellbackRate

double

$/kWh

No [20]

0.03

User-specified net metering annual excess sellback rate [21]

Feed-in Tariff

If the PV compensation type is feed-in tariff, additional information can be entered in /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/UtilityBillScenarios/UtilityBillScenario/PVCompensation/CompensationType/FeedInTariff.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FeedInTariffRate

double

$/kWh

No

0.12

Feed-in tariff rate [22]

HPXML Unavailable Periods

One or more unavailable periods (e.g., vacancies, power outages) can be entered as an /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension/UnavailablePeriods/UnavailablePeriod. If not entered, the simulation will not include unavailable periods.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

ColumnName

string

Yes

Column name associated with unavailable_periods.csv below

BeginMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

Yes

Begin month

BeginDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

Yes

Begin day

BeginHourOfDay

integer

>= 0, <= 23

No

0

Begin hour

EndMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

Yes

End month

EndDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

Yes

End day

EndHourOfDay

integer

>= 1, <= 24

No

24

End hour

NaturalVentilation

string

See [23]

No

regular schedule

Natural ventilation availability

See the table below to understand which components are affected by an unavailable period with a given ColumnName. You can create an additional column in the CSV file to define another unavailable period type.

Schedule Name

Vacancy

Power Outage

occupants

1

0

lighting_interior

1

1

lighting_exterior

1

1

lighting_garage

1

1

lighting_exterior_holiday

1

1

cooking_range

1

1

refrigerator

0

1

extra_refrigerator

0

1

freezer

0

1

dishwasher

1

1

clothes_washer

1

1

clothes_dryer

1

1

ceiling_fan

1

1

plug_loads_other

1

1

plug_loads_tv

1

1

plug_loads_vehicle

1

1

plug_loads_well_pump

1

1

fuel_loads_grill

1

1

fuel_loads_lighting

1

1

fuel_loads_fireplace

1

1

pool_pump

0

1

pool_heater

0

1

permanent_spa_pump

0

1

permanent_spa_heater

0

1

hot_water_fixtures

1

1

hot_water_recirculation_pump

1

1

general_water_use

1

0

hvac

0

1

water_heater

0

1

dehumidifier

0

1

house_fan

0

1

kitchen_fan

1

1

bath_fan

1

1

whole_house_fan

0

1

Warning

It is not possible to eliminate all HVAC/DHW energy use (e.g. crankcase/defrost energy, water heater parasitics) in EnergyPlus during an unavailable period.

HPXML Building

OpenStudio-HPXML can be used to model either individual residential Dwelling Units or Whole SFA/MF Buildings.

In either case, each residential dwelling unit is entered as a /HPXML/Building.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

BuildingID

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Dwelling Units

OpenStudio-HPXML was originally developed to model individual residential dwelling units – either a single-family detached (SFD) building, or a single unit of a single-family attached (SFA) or multifamily (MF) building. This approach:

  • Is required/desired for certain applications (e.g., a Home Energy Score or an Energy Rating Index calculation).

  • Improves runtime speed by being able to simulate individual units in parallel (as opposed to simulating the entire building).

For these simulations:

  • Surfaces can be defined adjacent to generic SFA/MF spaces (e.g., “other housing unit” or “other multifamily buffer space”) with assumed temperature profiles (see HPXML Locations).

  • Various building components (e.g., ducts, water heaters, appliances) can be located in these SFA/MF spaces.

  • Shared systems (HVAC, water heating, mechanical ventilation, etc.) serving multiple dwelling units can be defined, in which these systems are approximated as individual systems with efficiency adjustments to estimate the energy use attributed to the unit.

  • Energy use attributed only to the dwelling unit is calculated.

Whole SFA/MF Buildings

As of v1.7.0, OpenStudio-HPXML can model whole SFA/MF buildings in a single combined simulation.

Modeling a whole SFA/MF building is defined in /HPXML/SoftwareInfo/extension.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

WholeSFAorMFBuildingSimulation

boolean

No

false

Whether to run an individual dwelling unit or whole building for SFA/MF

For these simulations:

  • Unit multipliers (using the NumberofUnits element) can be specified to model unique dwelling units, rather than all dwelling units, reducing simulation runtime.

  • Adjacent SFA/MF common spaces are still modeled using assumed temperature profiles, not as separate thermal zones.

  • Shared systems are still modeled as individual systems, not shared systems connected to multiple dwelling unit.

  • Energy use for the entire building is calculated.

Notes/caveats about this approach:

  • Some inputs (e.g., EPW location or ground conductivity) cannot vary across Building elements.

  • Batteries are not currently supported.

  • Utility bill calculations using detailed rates are not supported.

HPXML Building Site

Building site information can be entered in /HPXML/Building/Site.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

SiteID

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Address/CityMunicipality

string

No

See [24]

Address city/municipality (not used in the energy model)

Address/StateCode

string

No

See [25]

Address state/territory

Address/ZipCode

string

See [26]

No

Address ZIP Code (not used in the energy model)

GeoLocation/Latitude

double

deg

>= -90, <= 90

No

See [27]

Site latitude (negative for southern hemisphere)

GeoLocation/Longitude

double

deg

>= -180, <= 180

No

See [28]

Site longitude (negative for western hemisphere)

Elevation

double

ft

>= 0

No

See [29]

Site elevation

TimeZone/UTCOffset

double

>= -12, <= 14

No

See [30]

Difference in decimal hours between the home’s time zone and UTC

TimeZone/DSTObserved

boolean

No

true

Daylight saving time observed?

If daylight saving time is observed, additional information can be specified in /HPXML/Building/Site/TimeZone/extension.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

DSTBeginMonth and DSTBeginDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12 and >= 1, <= 31

No

EPW else 3/12 (March 12) [31]

Start date

DSTEndMonth and DSTEndDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12 and >= 1, <= 31

No

EPW else 11/5 (November 5)

End date

HPXML Building Summary

High-level building summary information is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary.

HPXML Site

Site information is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/Site.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SiteType

string

See [32]

No

suburban

Terrain type for infiltration model

ShieldingofHome

string

See [33]

No

normal

Presence of nearby buildings, trees, obstructions for infiltration model

Soil/SoilType

string

See [34]

No

unknown

Soil type

Soil/MoistureType

string

See [35]

No

mixed

Soil moisture type

Soil/Conductivity

double

Btu/hr-ft-F

> 0

No

See [36]

Soil thermal conductivity

Soil/extension/Diffusivity

double

ft2/hr

> 0

No

See [37]

Soil thermal diffusivity

extension/Neighbors

element

No

<none>

Presence of neighboring buildings for solar shading

Note

Default Conductivity and Diffusivity values based on SoilType/MoistureType provided by Table 1 of Ground Thermal Diffusivity Calculation by Direct Soil Temperature Measurement. Application to very Low Enthalpy Geothermal Energy Systems (with the exception of “unknown”). Conductivity is used for foundation heat transfer and ground source heat pumps. Diffusivity is used for ground source heat pumps.

HPXML Neighbor Buildings

For each neighboring building defined, additional information is entered in a extension/Neighbors/NeighborBuilding.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

Azimuth or Orientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [38]

Yes

Direction of neighbors (clockwise from North)

Distance

double

ft

> 0

Yes

Distance of neighbor from the dwelling unit

Height

double

ft

> 0

No

See [39]

Height of neighbor

HPXML Building Occupancy

Building occupancy is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/BuildingOccupancy.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

NumberofResidents

double

>= 0

No

See [40]

Number of occupants

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [41]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [42]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

extension/GeneralWaterUseUsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on general water use internal gains [43]

extension/GeneralWaterUseWeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [44]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/GeneralWaterUseWeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/GeneralWaterUseMonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [45]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

HPXML Building Construction

Building construction is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/BuildingConstruction.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

ResidentialFacilityType

string

See [46]

Yes

Type of dwelling unit

NumberofUnits

integer

>= 1

No

1

Unit multiplier [47]

NumberofConditionedFloors

double

> 0

Yes

Number of conditioned floors (including a conditioned basement; excluding a conditioned crawlspace)

NumberofConditionedFloorsAboveGrade

double

> 0, <= NumberofConditionedFloors

Yes

Number of conditioned floors above grade (including a walkout basement)

AverageCeilingHeight

double

ft

> 0

No

8.2

Floor to ceiling height within conditioned space

NumberofBedrooms

integer

>= 0

Yes

Number of bedrooms

NumberofBathrooms

integer

> 0

No

See [48]

Number of bathrooms

ConditionedFloorArea

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Floor area within conditioned space boundary (excluding conditioned crawlspace floor area)

ConditionedBuildingVolume

double

ft3

> 0

No

See [49]

Volume within conditioned space boundary (including a conditioned basement/crawlspace)

HPXML Schedules

Schedules for a variety of building features can be defined using:

It is allowed to use simple, detailed, and defaulted values in the same HPXML file.

Simple Schedule Inputs

Simple schedule inputs are available as weekday/weekend fractions and monthly multipliers for a variety of building characteristics. For example, see the WeekdayScheduleFractions, WeekendScheduleFractions, and MonthlyScheduleMultipliers inputs for HPXML Building Occupancy.

Detailed Schedule Inputs

Detailed schedule inputs allow schedule values for every hour or timestep of the simulation. They can be used to reflect real-world or stochastic occupancy.

Detailed schedule inputs are provided via one or more CSV file that should be referenced in the HPXML file as /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/extension/SchedulesFilePath elements. The column names available in the schedule CSV files are:

Column Name

Units

Description

Can Be Stochastically Generated

occupants

frac

Occupant heat gain schedule.

Yes

lighting_interior

frac

Interior lighting energy use schedule.

Yes

lighting_exterior

frac

Exterior lighting energy use schedule.

No

lighting_garage

frac

Garage lighting energy use schedule.

Yes

lighting_exterior_holiday

frac

Exterior holiday lighting energy use schedule.

No

cooking_range

frac

Cooking range & oven energy use schedule.

Yes

refrigerator

frac

Primary refrigerator energy use schedule.

No

extra_refrigerator

frac

Non-primary refrigerator energy use schedule.

No

freezer

frac

Freezer energy use schedule.

No

dishwasher

frac

Dishwasher energy use schedule.

Yes

clothes_washer

frac

Clothes washer energy use schedule.

Yes

clothes_dryer

frac

Clothes dryer energy use schedule.

Yes

ceiling_fan

frac

Ceiling fan energy use schedule.

Yes

plug_loads_other

frac

Other plug load energy use schedule.

Yes

plug_loads_tv

frac

Television plug load energy use schedule.

Yes

plug_loads_vehicle

frac

Electric vehicle plug load energy use schedule.

No

plug_loads_well_pump

frac

Well pump plug load energy use schedule.

No

fuel_loads_grill

frac

Grill fuel load energy use schedule.

No

fuel_loads_lighting

frac

Lighting fuel load energy use schedule.

No

fuel_loads_fireplace

frac

Fireplace fuel load energy use schedule.

No

pool_pump

frac

Pool pump energy use schedule.

No

pool_heater

frac

Pool heater energy use schedule.

No

permanent_spa_pump

frac

Permanent spa pump energy use schedule.

No

permanent_spa_heater

frac

Permanent spa heater energy use schedule.

No

hot_water_dishwasher

frac

Dishwasher hot water use schedule.

Yes

hot_water_clothes_washer

frac

Clothes washer hot water use schedule.

Yes

hot_water_fixtures

frac

Fixtures (sinks, showers, baths) hot water use schedule.

Yes

hot_water_recirculation_pump

frac

Hot water recirculation pump schedule.

No

general_water_use

frac

General water use internal gains.

No

heating_setpoint

F

Thermostat heating setpoint schedule.

No

cooling_setpoint

F

Thermostat cooling setpoint schedule.

No

hvac_maximum_power_ratio

frac

Variable speed system maximum power ratio schedule. [50]

No

water_heater_setpoint

F

Water heater setpoint schedule.

No

water_heater_operating_mode

0/1

Heat pump water heater operating mode schedule. 0=hybrid/auto, 1=heat pump only.

No

battery

-1 to 1

Battery schedule. Positive for charging, negative for discharging.

No

Columns with units of frac must be normalized to MAX=1; that is, these schedules only define when energy is used, not how much energy is used. In other words, the amount of energy or hot water used in each simulation timestep is essentially the schedule value divided by the sum of all schedule values in the column, multiplied by the annual energy or hot water use. Example schedule CSV files are provided in the HPXMLtoOpenStudio/resources/schedule_files directory.

The schedule file must have a full year of data even if the simulation is not an entire year. Frequency of schedule values do not need to match the simulation timestep. For example, hourly schedules can be used with a 10-minute simulation timestep, or 10-minute schedules can be used with an hourly simulation timestep.

A detailed stochastic occupancy schedule CSV file can also be automatically generated for you (see “Can Be Stochastically Generated” above for applicable columns); see the Usage Instructions for the commands. Inputs for the stochastic schedule generator are entered in:

  • /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/BuildingOccupancy/NumberofResidents

  • /HPXML/Building/Site/Address/StateCode (optional)

  • /HPXML/Building/Site/GeoLocation/Latitude (optional)

  • /HPXML/Building/Site/GeoLocation/Longitude (optional)

  • /HPXML/Building/Site/TimeZone/UTCOffset (optional)

See HPXML Building Occupancy and HPXML Building Site for more information.

Warning

For simulations with daylight saving enabled (which is the default), EnergyPlus will skip forward an hour in the CSV on the “spring forward” day and repeat an hour on the “fall back” day.

Default Schedules

If neither simple nor detailed inputs are provided, then schedules are defaulted. Default schedules are typically smooth, averaged schedules. These default schedules are described elsewhere in the documentation (e.g., see HPXML Building Occupancy for the default occupant heat gain schedule).

HPXML HVAC Sizing Control

HVAC equipment sizing controls are entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/extension/HVACSizingControl. Additional autosizing factor inputs are available at the system level, see HPXML Heating Systems, HPXML Cooling Systems and HPXML Heat Pumps.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

HeatPumpSizingMethodology

string

See [51]

No

HERS

Logic for autosized heat pumps

HeatPumpBackupSizingMethodology

string

See [52]

No

emergency

Logic for autosized heat pump backup

AllowIncreasedFixedCapacities

boolean

No

false

Logic for fixed capacity HVAC equipment [53]

Manual J Inputs

If any HVAC equipment is being autosized (i.e., capacities are not provided), additional inputs for ACCA Manual J can be entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/extension/HVACSizingControl/ManualJInputs.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

HeatingDesignTemperature

double

F

No

See [54]

Heating outdoor design temperature

CoolingDesignTemperature

double

F

No

See [55]

Cooling outdoor design temperature

DailyTemperatureRange

string

See [56]

No

See [57]

Class based on average difference between daily high/low outdoor temperatures during the hottest month

HeatingSetpoint

double

F

No

70

Conditioned space heating setpoint [58]

CoolingSetpoint

double

F

No

75

Conditioned space cooling setpoint [59]

HumiditySetpoint

double

frac

> 0, < 1

No

See [60]

Conditioned space relative humidity

HumidityDifference

double

grains

No

See [61]

Difference between absolute humidity of the outdoor/indoor air during the summer

InternalLoadsSensible

double

Btu/hr

No

See [62]

Sensible internal loads for cooling design load

InternalLoadsLatent

double

Btu/hr

No

0

Latent internal loads for cooling design load

NumberofOccupants

integer

No

#Beds+1 [63]

Number of occupants for cooling design load

HPXML Shading Control

Shading controls for window and skylight summer/winter shading coefficients are entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/extension/ShadingControl. If not provided, summer will be default based on the cooling season defined in the 2010 BAHSP, using monthly average temperatures. The remainder of the year is winter.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

SummerBeginMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

Yes

Summer shading start date

SummerBeginDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

Yes

Summer shading start date

SummerEndMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

Yes

Summer shading end date

SummerEndDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

Yes

Summer shading end date

HPXML Climate Zones

HPXML Climate Zone IECC

Climate zone information can be optionally entered as an /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/ClimateandRiskZones/ClimateZoneIECC.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

Year

integer

See [64]

Yes

IECC year

ClimateZone

string

See [65]

Yes

IECC zone

If Climate zone information not provided, defaults according to the EPW weather file header.

Weather information is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/ClimateandRiskZones/WeatherStation.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Name

string

Yes

Name of weather station

extension/EPWFilePath

string

Yes

Path to the EnergyPlus weather file (EPW) [66]

HPXML Enclosure

The dwelling unit’s enclosure is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure.

All surfaces that bound different space types of the dwelling unit (i.e., not just thermal boundary surfaces) must be specified in the HPXML file. For example, an attached garage would generally be defined by walls adjacent to conditioned space, walls adjacent to outdoors, a slab, and a roof or ceiling. For software tools that do not collect sufficient inputs for every required surface, the software developers will need to make assumptions about these surfaces or collect additional input.

Interior partition surfaces (e.g., walls between rooms inside conditioned space, or the floor between two conditioned stories) can be excluded.

For single-family attached (SFA) or multifamily (MF) buildings, surfaces between unconditioned space and the neighboring unit’s same unconditioned space should set InteriorAdjacentTo and ExteriorAdjacentTo to the same value. For example, a foundation wall between the unit’s vented crawlspace and the neighboring unit’s vented crawlspace would use InteriorAdjacentTo="crawlspace - vented" and ExteriorAdjacentTo="crawlspace - vented".

Warning

It is the software tool’s responsibility to provide the appropriate building surfaces. While some error-checking is in place, it is not possible to know whether some surfaces are incorrectly missing.

Also note that wall and roof surfaces do not require an azimuth/orientation to be specified. Rather, only the windows/skylights themselves require an azimuth/orientation. Thus, software tools can choose to use a single wall (or roof) surface to represent multiple wall (or roof) surfaces for the entire building if all their other properties (construction type, interior/exterior adjacency, etc.) are identical.

HPXML Air Infiltration

Building air leakage is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/AirInfiltration/AirInfiltrationMeasurement.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

TypeOfInfiltrationLeakage

string

See [67]

See [68]

Type of infiltration leakage

InfiltrationVolume

double

ft3

> 0

No

ConditionedBuildingVolume

Volume associated with infiltration measurement [69]

InfiltrationHeight

double

ft

> 0

No

See [70]

Height associated with infiltration measurement [71]

extension/Aext

double

frac

> 0

No

See [72]

Exterior area ratio for SFA/MF dwelling units

In addition, one of the following air leakage types must also be defined:

Note

Infiltration airflow rates are calculated using the Alberta Air Infiltration Model (AIM-2) (also known as the ASHRAE Enhanced model). When there is a flue or chimney present (see Flue or Chimney) with combustion air from conditioned space, higher infiltration airflow rates are modeled because the flue leakage is at a different height for stack effect.

ACH or CFM

If entering air leakage as ACH or CFM at a user-specific pressure, additional information is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/AirInfiltration/AirInfiltrationMeasurement. For example, ACH50 (ACH at 50 Pascals) is a commonly obtained value from a blower door measurement.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

BuildingAirLeakage/UnitofMeasure

string

See [73]

Yes

Units for air leakage

HousePressure

double

Pa

> 0

Yes

House pressure with respect to outside [74]

BuildingAirLeakage/AirLeakage

double

> 0

Yes

Value for air leakage

Natural ACH or CFM

If entering air leakage as natural ACH or CFM, additional information is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/AirInfiltration/AirInfiltrationMeasurement. Natural ACH or CFM represents the annual average infiltration that a building will see.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

BuildingAirLeakage/UnitofMeasure

string

See [75]

Yes

Units for air leakage

BuildingAirLeakage/AirLeakage

double

> 0

Yes

Value for air leakage

Effective Leakage Area

If entering air leakage as Effective Leakage Area (ELA), additional information is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/AirInfiltration/AirInfiltrationMeasurement. Effective Leakage Area is defined as the area of a special nozzle-shaped hole (similar to the inlet of a blower door fan) that would leak the same amount of air as the building does at a pressure difference of 4 Pascals. Note that ELA is different than Equivalent Leakage Area (EqLA), which involves a sharp-edged hole at a pressure difference of 10 Pascals.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

EffectiveLeakageArea

double

sq. in.

>= 0

Yes

Effective leakage area value

Flue or Chimney

The presence of a flue or chimney with combustion air from conditioned space can be entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/AirInfiltration.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

extension/HasFlueOrChimneyInConditionedSpace

boolean

No

See [76]

Flue or chimney with combustion air from conditioned space

HPXML Attics

If the dwelling unit has an unvented attic, whether it is within the infiltration volume is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Attics/Attic[AtticType/Attic[Vented="false"]].

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

WithinInfiltrationVolume

boolean

No

false

In accordance with ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 380

If the dwelling unit has a vented attic, attic ventilation information can be optionally entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Attics/Attic[AtticType/Attic[Vented="true"]]/VentilationRate.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

UnitofMeasure

string

See [77]

No

SLA

Units for ventilation rate

Value

double

> 0

No

1/300 [78]

Value for ventilation rate

HPXML Foundations

If the dwelling unit has an unconditioned basement, whether it is within the infiltration volume is entered in Enclosure/Foundations/Foundation/FoundationType/Basement[Conditioned='false'].

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

WithinInfiltrationVolume

boolean

No

false

In accordance with ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 380

If the dwelling unit has an unvented crawlspace, whether it is within the infiltration volume is entered in Enclosure/Foundations/Foundation/FoundationType/Crawlspace[Vented='false'].

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

WithinInfiltrationVolume

boolean

No

false

In accordance with ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 380

If the dwelling unit has a vented crawlspace, crawlspace ventilation information can be optionally entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Foundations/Foundation[FoundationType/Crawlspace[Vented="true"]]/VentilationRate.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

UnitofMeasure

string

See [79]

No

SLA

Units for ventilation rate

Value

double

> 0

No

1/150 [80]

Value for ventilation rate

If the dwelling has a manufactured home belly-and-wing foundation, whether a skirt is present can be optionally entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Foundations/Foundation/FoundationType/BellyAndWing.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SkirtPresent

boolean

No

true

Presence of skirt [81]

HPXML Roofs

Each pitched or flat roof surface that is exposed to ambient conditions is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Roofs/Roof.

For a multifamily building where the dwelling unit has another dwelling unit above it, the surface between the two dwelling units should be considered a Floor and not a Roof.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

InteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [82]

Yes

Interior adjacent space type

Area

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Gross area (including skylights)

Azimuth or Orientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [83]

No

See [84]

Direction (clockwise from North)

RoofType

string

See [85]

No

asphalt or fiberglass shingles

Roof type

RoofColor or SolarAbsorptance

string or double

See [86] or >= 0, <= 1

No

medium

Roof color or solar absorptance [87]

Emittance

double

>= 0, <= 1

No

0.90

Emittance

InteriorFinish/Type

string

See [88]

No

See [89]

Interior finish material

InteriorFinish/Thickness

double

in

>= 0

No

0.5

Interior finish thickness

Pitch

double

?/12

>= 0

Yes

Pitch [90]

RadiantBarrier

boolean

No

false

Presence of radiant barrier [91]

RadiantBarrierGrade

integer

>= 1, <= 3

No

1

Radiant barrier installation grade

Insulation/SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Insulation/AssemblyEffectiveRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

> 0

Yes

Assembly R-value [92]

HPXML Rim Joists

Each rim joist surface (i.e., the perimeter of floor joists typically found between stories of a building or on top of a foundation wall) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/RimJoists/RimJoist.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

ExteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [93]

Yes

Exterior adjacent space type

InteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [94]

Yes

Interior adjacent space type

Area

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Gross area

Azimuth or Orientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [95]

No

See [96]

Direction (clockwise from North)

Siding

string

See [97]

No

wood siding

Siding material

Color or SolarAbsorptance

string or double

See [98] or >= 0, <= 1

No

medium

Color or solar absorptance [99]

Emittance

double

>= 0, <= 1

No

0.90

Emittance

Insulation/SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Insulation/AssemblyEffectiveRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

> 0

Yes

Assembly R-value [100]

HPXML Walls

Each wall surface is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Walls/Wall.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

ExteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [101]

Yes

Exterior adjacent space type

InteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [102]

Yes

Interior adjacent space type

WallType

element

See [103]

Yes

Wall type (for thermal mass)

Area

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Gross area (including doors/windows)

Azimuth or Orientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [104]

No

See [105]

Direction (clockwise from North)

Siding

string

See [106]

No

wood siding

Siding material

Color or SolarAbsorptance

string or double

See [107] or >= 0, <= 1

No

medium

Color or solar absorptance [108]

Emittance

double

>= 0, <= 1

No

0.90

Emittance

InteriorFinish/Type

string

See [109]

No

See [110]

Interior finish material

InteriorFinish/Thickness

double

in

>= 0

No

0.5

Interior finish thickness

RadiantBarrier

boolean

No

false

Presence of radiant barrier [111]

RadiantBarrierGrade

integer

>= 1, <= 3

No

1

Radiant barrier installation grade

Insulation/SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Insulation/AssemblyEffectiveRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

> 0

Yes

Assembly R-value [112]

HPXML Foundation Walls

Each foundation wall surface is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/FoundationWalls/FoundationWall. Any wall surface in contact with the ground is considered a foundation wall.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

ExteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [113]

Yes

Exterior adjacent space type [114]

InteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [115]

Yes

Interior adjacent space type

Type

string

See [116]

No

solid concrete

Type of material

Height

double

ft

> 0

Yes

Total height

Area or Length

double

ft2 or ft

> 0

Yes

Gross area (including doors/windows) or length

Azimuth or Orientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [117]

No

See [118]

Direction (clockwise from North)

Thickness

double

in

> 0

No

8.0

Thickness excluding interior framing

DepthBelowGrade

double

ft

>= 0, <= Height

Yes

Depth below grade [119]

InteriorFinish/Type

string

See [120]

No

See [121]

Interior finish material

InteriorFinish/Thickness

double

in

>= 0

No

0.5

Interior finish thickness

Insulation/SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Insulation/Layer[InstallationType="continuous - interior"]

element

See [122]

Interior insulation layer

Insulation/Layer[InstallationType="continuous - exterior"]

element

See [123]

Exterior insulation layer

Insulation/AssemblyEffectiveRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

> 0

See [124]

Assembly R-value [125]

If insulation layers are provided, additional information is entered in each FoundationWall/Insulation/Layer.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

NominalRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

Yes

R-value of the foundation wall insulation; use zero if no insulation

DistanceToTopOfInsulation

double

ft

>= 0

No

0

Vertical distance from top of foundation wall to top of insulation

DistanceToBottomOfInsulation

double

ft

See [126]

No

Height

Vertical distance from top of foundation wall to bottom of insulation

HPXML Floors

Each floor/ceiling surface that is not in contact with the ground (Slab) nor adjacent to ambient conditions above (Roof) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Floors/Floor.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

ExteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [127]

Yes

Exterior adjacent space type

InteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [128]

Yes

Interior adjacent space type

FloorOrCeiling

string

See [129]

See [130]

Floor or ceiling from the perspective of the conditioned space

FloorType

element

See [131]

Yes

Floor type (for thermal mass)

Area

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Gross area

InteriorFinish/Type

string

See [132]

No

See [133]

Interior finish material

InteriorFinish/Thickness

double

in

>= 0

No

0.5

Interior finish thickness

RadiantBarrier

boolean

No

false

Presence of radiant barrier [134]

RadiantBarrierGrade

integer

>= 1, <= 3

No

1

Radiant barrier installation grade

Insulation/SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Insulation/AssemblyEffectiveRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

> 0

Yes

Assembly R-value [135]

HPXML Slabs

Each space type that borders the ground (i.e., basement, crawlspace, garage, and slab-on-grade foundation) should have a slab entered as an /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Slabs/Slab.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

InteriorAdjacentTo

string

See [136]

Yes

Interior adjacent space type

Area

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Gross area

Thickness

double

in

>= 0

No

See [137]

Thickness [138]

ExposedPerimeter

double

ft

>= 0

Yes

Perimeter exposed to ambient conditions [139]

DepthBelowGrade

double

ft

>= 0

No

See [140]

Depth from the top of the slab surface to grade

PerimeterInsulation/SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

PerimeterInsulation/Layer/NominalRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

Yes

R-value of vertical insulation (see figure below)

PerimeterInsulation/Layer/InsulationDepth

double

ft

>= 0

Yes

Depth from top of slab to bottom of vertical insulation

UnderSlabInsulation/SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnderSlabInsulation/Layer/NominalRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

Yes

R-value of horizontal insulation (see figure below)

UnderSlabInsulation/Layer/InsulationWidth

double

ft

>= 0

See [141]

Width from slab edge inward of horizontal insulation

UnderSlabInsulation/Layer/InsulationSpansEntireSlab

boolean

See [142]

Whether horizontal insulation spans entire slab

extension/GapInsulationRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

No

See [143]

R-value of gap insulation (see figure below)

extension/CarpetFraction

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

See [144]

Fraction of slab covered by carpet

extension/CarpetRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

No

See [145]

Carpet R-value

Slab insulation locations can be visualized in the figure below:

_images/slab.png

HPXML Windows

Each window or glass door area is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Windows/Window.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Area

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Total area

Azimuth or Orientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [146]

Yes

Direction (clockwise from North)

UFactor and/or GlassLayers

double or string

Btu/F-ft2-hr

> 0 or See [147]

Yes

Full-assembly NFRC U-factor or glass layers description

SHGC and/or GlassLayers

double or string

> 0, < 1

Yes

Full-assembly NFRC solar heat gain coefficient or glass layers description

ExteriorShading/SummerShadingCoefficient

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

1.00

Exterior summer shading coefficient (1=transparent, 0=opaque) [148]

ExteriorShading/WinterShadingCoefficient

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

1.00

Exterior winter shading coefficient (1=transparent, 0=opaque)

InteriorShading/SummerShadingCoefficient

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

[149]

Interior summer shading coefficient (1=transparent, 0=opaque)

InteriorShading/WinterShadingCoefficient

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

[150]

Interior winter shading coefficient (1=transparent, 0=opaque)

StormWindow/GlassType

string

See [151]

No

Type of storm window glass

Overhangs

element

No

<none>

Presence of overhangs (including roof eaves)

FractionOperable

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

0.67

Operable fraction [152]

AttachedToWall

idref

See [153]

Yes

ID of attached wall

Natural Ventilation

If operable windows are defined, the availability of natural ventilation is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/BuildingSummary/extension.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

NaturalVentilationAvailabilityDaysperWeek

integer

days/week

>= 0, <= 7

No

3 [154]

How often windows can be opened by occupants for natural ventilation

UFactor/SHGC Lookup

If UFactor and SHGC are not provided and GlassLayers is not “glass block”, additional information is entered in Window.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FrameType

element

See [155]

Yes

Type of frame

FrameType/*/ThermalBreak

boolean

See [156]

No

false

Whether the Aluminum or Metal frame has a thermal break

GlassType

string

See [157]

No

clear

Type of glass

GasFill

string

See [158]

No

See [159]

Type of gas inside double/triple-pane windows

If UFactor and SHGC are not provided, they are defaulted as follows:

GlassLayers

FrameType

ThermalBreak

GlassType

GasFill

UFactor

SHGC

single-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“clear”, “reflective”

1.27

0.75

single-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“clear”, “reflective”

0.89

0.64

single-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

1.27

0.64

single-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

0.89

0.54

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“clear”, “reflective”

air

0.81

0.67

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

true

“clear”, “reflective”

air

0.60

0.67

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“clear”, “reflective”

air

0.51

0.56

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

air

0.81

0.55

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

true

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

air

0.60

0.55

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

air

0.51

0.46

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e”, “low-e, high-solar-gain”

air

0.42

0.52

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

true

“low-e”, “low-e, high-solar-gain”

<any but air>

0.47

0.62

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e”, “low-e, high-solar-gain”

<any but air>

0.39

0.52

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“low-e, low-solar-gain”

air

0.67

0.37

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

true

“low-e, low-solar-gain”

air

0.47

0.37

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e, low-solar-gain”

air

0.39

0.31

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e, low-solar-gain”

<any but air>

0.36

0.31

triple-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e”, “low-e, high-solar-gain”

<any but air>

0.27

0.31

glass block

0.60

0.60

Warning

OpenStudio-HPXML will return an error if the combination of window properties is not in the above table.

HPXML Overhangs

If overhangs are specified, additional information is entered in Overhangs.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

Depth

double

ft

>= 0

Yes

Depth of overhang

DistanceToTopOfWindow

double

ft

>= 0

Yes

Vertical distance from overhang to top of window

DistanceToBottomOfWindow

double

ft

See [160]

Yes

Vertical distance from overhang to bottom of window [161]

HPXML Skylights

Each skylight is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Skylights/Skylight.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Area

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Total area

Azimuth or Orientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [162]

Yes

Direction (clockwise from North)

UFactor and/or GlassLayers

double or string

Btu/F-ft2-hr

> 0 or See [163]

Yes

Full-assembly NFRC U-factor or glass layers description

SHGC and/or GlassLayers

double or string

> 0, < 1

Yes

Full-assembly NFRC solar heat gain coefficient or glass layers description

ExteriorShading/SummerShadingCoefficient

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

1.00

Exterior summer shading coefficient (1=transparent, 0=opaque) [164]

ExteriorShading/WinterShadingCoefficient

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

1.00

Exterior winter shading coefficient (1=transparent, 0=opaque)

InteriorShading/SummerShadingCoefficient

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

1.00

Interior summer shading coefficient (1=transparent, 0=opaque)

InteriorShading/WinterShadingCoefficient

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

1.00

Interior winter shading coefficient (1=transparent, 0=opaque)

StormWindow/GlassType

string

See [165]

No

Type of storm window glass

AttachedToRoof

idref

See [166]

Yes

ID of attached roof

UFactor/SHGC Lookup

If UFactor and SHGC are not provided and GlassLayers is not “glass block”, additional information is entered in Skylight.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FrameType

element

See [167]

Yes

Type of frame

FrameType/*/ThermalBreak

boolean

See [168]

No

false

Whether the Aluminum or Metal frame has a thermal break

GlassType

string

See [169]

No

<none>

Type of glass

GasFill

string

See [170]

No

See [171]

Type of gas inside double/triple-pane skylights

If UFactor and SHGC are not provided, they are defaulted as follows:

GlassLayers

FrameType

ThermalBreak

GlassType

GasFill

UFactor

SHGC

single-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“clear”, “reflective”

1.98

0.75

single-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“clear”, “reflective”

1.47

0.64

single-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

1.98

0.64

single-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

1.47

0.54

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“clear”, “reflective”

air

1.30

0.67

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

true

“clear”, “reflective”

air

1.10

0.67

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“clear”, “reflective”

air

0.84

0.56

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

air

1.30

0.55

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

true

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

air

1.10

0.55

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“tinted”, “tinted/reflective”

air

0.84

0.46

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e”, “low-e, high-solar-gain”

air

0.74

0.52

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

true

“low-e”, “low-e, high-solar-gain”

<any but air>

0.95

0.62

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e”, “low-e, high-solar-gain”

<any but air>

0.68

0.52

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

false

“low-e, low-solar-gain”

air

1.17

0.37

double-pane

Aluminum, Metal

true

“low-e, low-solar-gain”

air

0.98

0.37

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e, low-solar-gain”

air

0.71

0.31

double-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e, low-solar-gain”

<any but air>

0.65

0.31

triple-pane

Fiberglass, Vinyl, Wood

“low-e”, “low-e, high-solar-gain”

<any but air>

0.47

0.31

glass block

0.60

0.60

Warning

OpenStudio-HPXML will return an error if the combination of skylight properties is not in the above table.

HPXML Doors

Each opaque door is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/Doors/Door.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

AttachedToWall

idref

See [172]

Yes

ID of attached wall

Area

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Total area

Azimuth or Orientation

integer or string

deg

>= 0, <= 359 or See [173]

No

See [174]

Direction (clockwise from North)

RValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

> 0

Yes

R-value (including any storm door)

HPXML Partition Wall Mass

Partition wall mass in the conditioned space is entered as /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/extension/PartitionWallMass.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

AreaFraction

double

frac

>= 0

No

1.0

Fraction of both sides of wall area to conditioned floor area

InteriorFinish/Type

string

See [175]

No

gypsum board

Interior finish material

InteriorFinish/Thickness

double

in

>= 0

No

0.5

Interior finish thickness

HPXML Furniture Mass

Furniture mass in the conditioned space is entered as /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Enclosure/extension/FurnitureMass.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

AreaFraction

double

frac

>= 0

No

0.4

Fraction of conditioned floor area covered by furniture

Type

string

See [176]

No

light-weight

Type of furniture

Note

Light-weight furniture is modeled with a weight of 8 lb/ft2 of floor area and a density of 40 lb/ft3 while heavy-weight furniture is modeled with a weight of 16 lb/ft2 of floor area and a density of 80 lb/ft3.

HPXML Systems

The dwelling unit’s systems are entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems.

HPXML Heating Systems

The following heating system types can be modeled:

Electric Resistance

Each electric resistance heating system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatingSystemType/ElectricResistance

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemType/ElectricResistance/ElectricDistribution

string

See [177]

No

baseboard

Type of electric resistance distribution

HeatingSystemFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [178]

Heating output capacity

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="Percent"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [179]

See [180]

Fraction of heating load served

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Furnace

Each central furnace is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [181]

No

See [182]

Location of air handler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [183]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

HeatingSystemType/Furnace

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemType/Furnace/PilotLight

boolean

No

false

Presence of standing pilot light (older systems)

HeatingSystemType/Furnace/extension/PilotLightBtuh

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

500

Pilot light burn rate

HeatingSystemFuel

string

See [184]

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [185]

Heating output capacity

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="AFUE"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Rated efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [186]

See [187]

Fraction of heating load served

extension/FanPowerWattsPerCFM

double

W/cfm

>= 0

No

See [188]

Blower fan efficiency at maximum fan speed [189]

extension/AirflowDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed airflows [190]

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Wall Furnace

Each wall furnace is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatingSystemType/WallFurnace

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemType/WallFurnace/PilotLight

boolean

No

false

Presence of standing pilot light (older systems)

HeatingSystemType/WallFurnace/extension/PilotLightBtuh

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

500

Pilot light burn rate

HeatingSystemFuel

string

See [191]

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [192]

Heating output capacity

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="AFUE"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Rated efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [193]

See [194]

Fraction of heating load served

extension/FanPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

0

Fan power

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Floor Furnace

Each floor furnace is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatingSystemType/FloorFurnace

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemType/FloorFurnace/PilotLight

boolean

No

false

Presence of standing pilot light (older systems)

HeatingSystemType/FloorFurnace/extension/PilotLightBtuh

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

500

Pilot light burn rate

HeatingSystemFuel

string

See [195]

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [196]

Heating output capacity

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="AFUE"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Rated efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [197]

See [198]

Fraction of heating load served

extension/FanPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

0

Fan power

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Boiler (In-Unit)

Each in-unit boiler is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [199]

No

See [200]

Location of boiler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [201]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

HeatingSystemType/Boiler

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemType/Boiler/PilotLight

boolean

No

false

Presence of standing pilot light (older systems)

HeatingSystemType/Boiler/extension/PilotLightBtuh

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

500

Pilot light burn rate

HeatingSystemFuel

string

See [202]

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [203]

Heating output capacity

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="AFUE"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Rated efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [204]

See [205]

Fraction of heating load served

ElectricAuxiliaryEnergy

double

kWh/yr

>= 0

No

See [206]

Electric auxiliary energy

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Boiler (Shared)

Each shared boiler (serving multiple dwelling units) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [207]

No

other heated space

Location of boiler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [208]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

IsSharedSystem

boolean

true

Yes

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units

NumberofUnitsServed

integer

> 1

Yes

Number of dwelling units served

HeatingSystemType/Boiler

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemType/Boiler/PilotLight

boolean

No

false

Presence of standing pilot light (older systems)

HeatingSystemType/Boiler/extension/PilotLightBtuh

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

500

Pilot light burn rate

HeatingSystemFuel

string

See [209]

Yes

Fuel type

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="AFUE"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Rated efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [210]

See [211]

Fraction of heating load served

ElectricAuxiliaryEnergy or extension/SharedLoopWatts

double

kWh/yr or W

>= 0

No

See [212]

Electric auxiliary energy or shared loop power

ElectricAuxiliaryEnergy or extension/FanCoilWatts

double

kWh/yr or W

>= 0

No [213]

Electric auxiliary energy or fan coil power

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Stove

Each stove is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatingSystemType/Stove

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemType/Stove/PilotLight

boolean

No

false

Presence of standing pilot light (older systems)

HeatingSystemType/Stove/extension/PilotLightBtuh

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

500

Pilot light burn rate

HeatingSystemFuel

string

See [214]

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [215]

Heating output capacity

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="Percent"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [216]

See [217]

Fraction of heating load served

extension/FanPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

40

Fan power

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Space Heater

Each space heater is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatingSystemType/SpaceHeater

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemFuel

string

See [218]

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [219]

Heating output capacity

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="Percent"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [220]

See [221]

Fraction of heating load served

extension/FanPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

0

Fan power

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Fireplace

Each fireplace is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatingSystem. Instead of modeling fireplaces as serving a fraction of the heating load, fireplaces can be assigned a therm/year usage using HPXML Fuel Loads.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatingSystemType/Fireplace

element

Yes

Type of heating system

HeatingSystemType/Fireplace/PilotLight

boolean

No

false

Presence of standing pilot light (older systems)

HeatingSystemType/Fireplace/extension/PilotLightBtuh

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

500

Pilot light burn rate

HeatingSystemFuel

string

See [222]

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [223]

Heating output capacity

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="Percent"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Efficiency

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [224]

See [225]

Fraction of heating load served

extension/FanPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

0

Fan power

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

HPXML Cooling Systems

The following cooling system types can be modeled:

Central Air Conditioner

Each central air conditioner is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/CoolingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [226]

No

See [227]

Location of air handler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [228]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

CoolingSystemType

string

central air conditioner

Yes

Type of cooling system

CoolingSystemFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [229]

Cooling output capacity

CompressorType

string

See [230]

No

See [231]

Type of compressor

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [232]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="SEER" or Units="SEER2"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh or #

> 0

Yes

Rated efficiency [233]

SensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

See [234]

Sensible heat fraction

CoolingDetailedPerformanceData

element

No

<none>

Cooling detailed performance data [235]

extension/FanPowerWattsPerCFM

double

W/cfm

>= 0

No

See [236]

Blower fan efficiency at maximum fan speed [237]

extension/AirflowDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed airflows [238]

extension/ChargeDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed refrigerant charges [239]

extension/CrankcaseHeaterPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

50.0

Crankcase heater power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

Room Air Conditioner

Each room air conditioner is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/CoolingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

CoolingSystemType

string

room air conditioner

Yes

Type of cooling system

CoolingSystemFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [240]

Cooling output capacity

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [241]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="EER" or Units="CEER"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated efficiency

SensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

0.65

Sensible heat fraction

IntegratedHeatingSystemFuel

string

See [242]

No

<none>

Fuel type of integrated heater

extension/CrankcaseHeaterPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

0.0

Crankcase heater power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

If the room air conditioner has integrated heating, additional information is entered in CoolingSystem. Note that a room air conditioner with reverse cycle heating should be entered as a heat pump; see Room Air Conditioner w/ Reverse Cycle.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

IntegratedHeatingSystemCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [243]

Heating output capacity of integrated heater

IntegratedHeatingSystemAnnualEfficiency[Units="Percent"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Efficiency of integrated heater

IntegratedHeatingSystemFractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [244]

Yes

Fraction of heating load served

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner

Each packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/CoolingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

CoolingSystemType

string

packaged terminal air conditioner

Yes

Type of cooling system

CoolingSystemFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [245]

Cooling output capacity

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [246]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="EER" or Units="CEER"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated efficiency

SensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

0.65

Sensible heat fraction

IntegratedHeatingSystemFuel

string

See [247]

No

<none>

Fuel type of integrated heater

extension/CrankcaseHeaterPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

0.0

Crankcase heater power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

If the PTAC has integrated heating, additional information is entered in CoolingSystem. Note that a packaged terminal heat pump should be entered as a heat pump; see Packaged Terminal Heat Pump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

IntegratedHeatingSystemCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [248]

Heating output capacity of integrated heater

IntegratedHeatingSystemAnnualEfficiency[Units="Percent"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Efficiency of integrated heater

IntegratedHeatingSystemFractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [249]

Yes

Fraction of heating load served

Evaporative Cooler

Each evaporative cooler is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/CoolingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

DistributionSystem

idref

See [250]

No

ID of attached distribution system

CoolingSystemType

string

evaporative cooler

Yes

Type of cooling system

CoolingSystemFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [251]

Cooling output capacity

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [252]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

Mini-Split Air Conditioner

Each mini-split air conditioner is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/CoolingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [253]

No

See [254]

Location of air handler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [255]

No

ID of attached distribution system

CoolingSystemType

string

mini-split

Yes

Type of cooling system

CoolingSystemFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [256]

Cooling output capacity

CompressorType

string

See [257]

No

variable speed

Type of compressor

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [258]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="SEER" or Units="SEER2"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated cooling efficiency [259]

SensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

0.73

Sensible heat fraction

CoolingDetailedPerformanceData

element

No

<none>

Cooling detailed performance data [260]

extension/FanPowerWattsPerCFM

double

W/cfm

>= 0

No

See [261]

Blower fan efficiency at maximum fan speed

extension/AirflowDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed airflows [262]

extension/ChargeDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed refrigerant charges [263]

extension/CrankcaseHeaterPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

50.0

Crankcase heater power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

Chiller (Shared)

Each shared chiller (serving multiple dwelling units) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/CoolingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

DistributionSystem

idref

See [264]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

IsSharedSystem

boolean

true

Yes

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units

NumberofUnitsServed

integer

> 1

Yes

Number of dwelling units served

CoolingSystemType

string

chiller

Yes

Type of cooling system

CoolingSystemFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

Yes

Total cooling output capacity

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [265]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="kW/ton"]/Value

double

kW/ton

> 0

Yes

Rated efficiency

extension/SharedLoopWatts

double

W

>= 0

Yes

Pumping and fan power serving the system

extension/FanCoilWatts

double

W

>= 0

See [266]

Fan coil power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

Note

Chillers are modeled as central air conditioners with a SEER equivalent using the equation from ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019.

Cooling Tower (Shared)

Each shared cooling tower (serving multiple dwelling units) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/CoolingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

DistributionSystem

idref

See [267]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

IsSharedSystem

boolean

true

Yes

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units

NumberofUnitsServed

integer

> 1

Yes

Number of dwelling units served

CoolingSystemType

string

cooling tower

Yes

Type of cooling system

CoolingSystemFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [268]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

extension/SharedLoopWatts

double

W

>= 0

Yes

Pumping and fan power serving the system

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

Note

Cooling towers w/ water loop heat pumps are modeled as central air conditioners with a SEER equivalent using the equation from ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019.

HPXML Heat Pumps

The following heat pump types can be modeled:

Air-to-Air Heat Pump

Each air-to-air heat pump is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatPump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [269]

No

See [270]

Location of air handler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [271]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

HeatPumpType

string

air-to-air

Yes

Type of heat pump

HeatPumpFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [272]

Heating output capacity (excluding any backup heating)

HeatingCapacity17F

double

Btu/hr

>= 0, <= HeatingCapacity

No

Heating output capacity at 17F, if available

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [273]

Cooling output capacity

CompressorType

string

See [274]

No

See [275]

Type of compressor

CompressorLockoutTemperature

double

F

No

See [276]

Minimum outdoor temperature for compressor operation

CoolingSensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

See [277]

Sensible heat fraction

BackupType

string

See [278]

No

<none>

Type of backup heating

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [279]

Yes

Fraction of heating load served

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [280]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="SEER" or Units="SEER2"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated cooling efficiency [281]

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="HSPF" or Units="HSPF2"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated heating efficiency [282]

CoolingDetailedPerformanceData

element

No

<none>

Cooling detailed performance data [283]

HeatingDetailedPerformanceData

element

No

<none>

Heating detailed performance data [284]

extension/HeatingCapacityRetention[Fraction | Temperature]

double

frac | F

>= 0, < 1 | <= 17

No

See [285]

Heating output capacity retention at cold temperature [286]

extension/FanPowerWattsPerCFM

double

W/cfm

>= 0

No

See [287]

Blower fan efficiency at maximum fan speed

extension/AirflowDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed airflows [288]

extension/ChargeDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed refrigerant charges [289]

extension/CrankcaseHeaterPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

50.0

Crankcase heater power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Mini-Split Heat Pump

Each mini-split heat pump is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatPump. Each HeatPump is expected to represent a single outdoor unit, whether connected to one indoor head or multiple indoor heads.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [290]

No

See [291]

Location of air handler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [292]

No

ID of attached distribution system, if present

HeatPumpType

string

mini-split

Yes

Type of heat pump

HeatPumpFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [293]

Heating output capacity (excluding any backup heating)

HeatingCapacity17F

double

Btu/hr

>= 0, <= HeatingCapacity

No

Heating output capacity at 17F, if available

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [294]

Cooling output capacity

CompressorType

string

See [295]

No

variable speed

Type of compressor

CompressorLockoutTemperature

double

F

No

See [296]

Minimum outdoor temperature for compressor operation

CoolingSensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

0.73

Sensible heat fraction

BackupType

string

See [297]

No

<none>

Type of backup heating

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [298]

Yes

Fraction of heating load served

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [299]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="SEER" or Units="SEER2"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated cooling efficiency [300]

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="HSPF" or Units="HSPF2"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated heating efficiency [301]

CoolingDetailedPerformanceData

element

No

<none>

Cooling detailed performance data [302]

HeatingDetailedPerformanceData

element

No

<none>

Heating detailed performance data [303]

extension/HeatingCapacityRetention[Fraction | Temperature]

double

frac | F

>= 0, < 1 | <= 17

No

See [304]

Heating output capacity retention at cold temperature [305]

extension/FanPowerWattsPerCFM

double

W/cfm

>= 0

No

See [306]

Blower fan efficiency at maximum fan speed

extension/AirflowDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed airflows [307]

extension/ChargeDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed refrigerant charges [308]

extension/CrankcaseHeaterPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

50.0

Crankcase heater power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Packaged Terminal Heat Pump

Each packaged terminal heat pump is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatPump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatPumpType

string

packaged terminal heat pump

Yes

Type of heat pump

HeatPumpFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [309]

Heating output capacity (excluding any backup heating)

HeatingCapacity17F

double

Btu/hr

>= 0, <= HeatingCapacity

No

Heating output capacity at 17F, if available

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [310]

Cooling output capacity

CompressorLockoutTemperature

double

F

No

See [311]

Minimum outdoor temperature for compressor operation

CoolingSensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

0.65

Sensible heat fraction

BackupType

string

See [312]

No

<none>

Type of backup heating

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [313]

Yes

Fraction of heating load served

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [314]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="EER" or Units="CEER"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated cooling efficiency

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="COP"]/Value

double

W/W

> 0

Yes

Rated heating efficiency

extension/HeatingCapacityRetention[Fraction | Temperature]

double

frac | F

>= 0, < 1 | <= 17

No

0.425 | 5

Heating output capacity retention at cold temperature [315]

extension/CrankcaseHeaterPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

0.0

Crankcase heater power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Room Air Conditioner w/ Reverse Cycle

Each room air conditioner with reverse cycle is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatPump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatPumpType

string

room air conditioner with reverse cycle

Yes

Type of heat pump

HeatPumpFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [316]

Heating output capacity (excluding any backup heating)

HeatingCapacity17F

double

Btu/hr

>= 0, <= HeatingCapacity

No

Heating output capacity at 17F, if available

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [317]

Cooling output capacity

CompressorLockoutTemperature

double

F

No

See [318]

Minimum outdoor temperature for compressor operation

CoolingSensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

0.65

Sensible heat fraction

BackupType

string

See [319]

No

<none>

Type of backup heating

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [320]

Yes

Fraction of heating load served

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [321]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="EER" or Units="CEER"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated cooling efficiency

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="COP"]/Value

double

W/W

> 0

Yes

Rated heating efficiency

extension/HeatingCapacityRetention[Fraction | Temperature]

double

frac | F

>= 0, < 1 | <= 17

No

0.425 | 5

Heating output capacity retention at cold temperature [322]

extension/CrankcaseHeaterPowerWatts

double

W

>= 0

No

0.0

Crankcase heater power

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Ground-to-Air Heat Pump

Each ground-to-air heat pump is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatPump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [323]

No

See [324]

Location of air handler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [325]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it has a shared hydronic circulation loop [326]

HeatPumpType

string

ground-to-air

Yes

Type of heat pump

HeatPumpFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [327]

Heating output capacity (excluding any backup heating)

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [328]

Cooling output capacity

CoolingSensibleHeatFraction

double

frac

> 0.5, <= 1

No

0.73

Sensible heat fraction

BackupType

string

See [329]

No

<none>

Type of backup heating

FractionHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [330]

Yes

Fraction of heating load served

FractionCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [331]

Yes

Fraction of cooling load served

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="EER"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

Yes

Rated cooling efficiency

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="COP"]/Value

double

W/W

> 0

Yes

Rated heating efficiency

NumberofUnitsServed

integer

> 0

See [332]

Number of dwelling units served

AttachedToGeothermalLoop

idref

See [333]

No [334]

ID of attached geothermal loop

extension/PumpPowerWattsPerTon

double

W/ton

>= 0

No

See [335]

Pump power [336]

extension/SharedLoopWatts

double

W

>= 0

See [337]

Shared pump power [338]

extension/FanPowerWattsPerCFM

double

W/cfm

>= 0

No

See [339]

Blower fan efficiency at maximum fan speed

extension/AirflowDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed airflows [340]

extension/ChargeDefectRatio

double

frac

>= -0.9, <= 9

No

0.0

Deviation between design/installed refrigerant charges [341]

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Water-Loop-to-Air Heat Pump

Each water-loop-to-air heat pump is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/HeatPump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UnitLocation

string

See [342]

No

See [343]

Location of air handler

DistributionSystem

idref

See [344]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

HeatPumpType

string

water-loop-to-air

Yes

Type of heat pump

HeatPumpFuel

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

> 0

No

autosized [345]

Heating output capacity

CoolingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

> 0

See [346]

Cooling output capacity

BackupType

string

See [347]

No

<none>

Type of backup heating

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="EER"]/Value

double

Btu/Wh

> 0

See [348]

Rated cooling efficiency

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="COP"]/Value

double

W/W

> 0

See [349]

Rated heating efficiency

extension/CoolingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Cooling autosizing scaling factor

extension/HeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Heating autosizing scaling factor

Note

If a water loop heat pump is specified, there must be at least one shared heating system (i.e., Boiler (Shared)) and/or one shared cooling system (i.e., Chiller (Shared) or Cooling Tower (Shared)) specified with water loop distribution.

Backup

If a backup type (“integrated” or “separate”) is provided, additional information is entered in HeatPump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

BackupHeatingSwitchoverTemperature or CompressorLockoutTemperature

double

F

No

See [350]

Minimum outdoor temperature for compressor operation

BackupHeatingSwitchoverTemperature or BackupHeatingLockoutTemperature

double

F

See [351]

No

See [352]

Maximum outdoor temperature for backup operation

Note

Provide BackupHeatingSwitchoverTemperature for a situation where there is a discrete outdoor temperature below which the heat pump stops operating and above which the backup heating system stops operating.

Alternatively, provide A) CompressorLockoutTemperature to specify the outdoor temperature below which the heat pump stops operating and/or B) BackupHeatingLockoutTemperature to specify the outdoor temperature above which the heat pump backup system stops operating. If both are provided, the compressor and backup system can both operate between the two temperatures (e.g., simultaneous operation or cycling). If both are provided using the same temperature, it is equivalent to using BackupHeatingSwitchoverTemperature.

If a backup type of “integrated” is provided, additional information is entered in HeatPump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

BackupSystemFuel

string

See [353]

Yes

Integrated backup heating fuel type

BackupAnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="Percent" or Units="AFUE"]/Value

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Integrated backup heating efficiency

BackupHeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

>= 0

No

autosized [354]

Integrated backup heating output capacity

extension/BackupHeatingAutosizingFactor

double

frac

> 0

No

1.0

Backup Heating autosizing scaling factor

If a backup type of “separate” is provided, additional information is entered in HeatPump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

BackupSystem

idref

See [355]

Yes

ID of separate backup heating system

Note

Due to how the separate backup heating system is modeled in EnergyPlus, there are a few restrictions:

  • The conditioned space cannot be partially heated (i.e., the sum of all FractionHeatLoadServed must be 1).

  • There cannot be multiple backup heating systems.

HPXML HVAC Detailed Perf. Data

Some air-source HVAC system types allow detailed heating/cooling performance data to be provided using the CoolingDetailedPerformanceData and HeatingDetailedPerformanceData elements, as described above. One source of detailed performance data is NEEP’s Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump List.

Currently detailed performance data can only be provided for variable-speed HVAC systems.

Detailed Cooling Performance Data

For air-source HVAC systems with detailed cooling performance data, two or more pairs of minimum/maximum capacity data are entered in CoolingDetailedPerformanceData/PerformanceDataPoint.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

OutdoorTemperature

double

F

See [356]

Yes

Outdoor drybulb temperature

Capacity or CapacityFractionOfNominal

double

Btu/hr or frac

>= 0

Yes [357]

Cooling capacity or capacity fraction at the specified outdoor temperature

CapacityDescription

string

See [358]

Yes

Whether the datapoint corresponds to minimum or maximum capacity

Efficiency[Units="COP"]/Value

double

W/W

> 0

Yes

Cooling efficiency at the specified outdoor temperature

In addition, the CompressorType must be set to “variable speed” in the parent object. Note that when detailed cooling performance data is provided, some other inputs (like SEER) are ignored.

Detailed Heating Performance Data

For air-source HVAC systems with detailed heating performance data, two or more pairs of minimum/maximum capacity data are entered in HeatingDetailedPerformanceData/PerformanceDataPoint.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

OutdoorTemperature

double

F

See [359]

Yes

Outdoor drybulb temperature

Capacity or CapacityFractionOfNominal

double

Btu/hr or frac

>= 0

Yes [360]

Heating capacity or capacity fraction at the specified outdoor temperature

CapacityDescription

string

See [361]

Yes

Whether the datapoint corresponds to minimum or maximum capacity

Efficiency[Units="COP"]/Value

double

W/W

> 0

Yes

Heating efficiency at the specified outdoor temperature

In addition, the CompressorType must be set to “variable speed” in the parent object. Note that when detailed cooling performance data is provided, some other inputs (like HSPF and HeatingCapacityRetention) are ignored.

HPXML Geothermal Loops

Each geothermal loop is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACPlant/GeothermalLoop.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

LoopConfiguration

string

vertical

Yes

Geothermal loop configuration

LoopFlow

double

gal/min

> 0

No

See [362]

Water flow rate through the geothermal loop

BoreholesOrTrenches/Count

integer

>= 1, <= 10

No [363]

See [364]

Number of boreholes

BoreholesOrTrenches/Length

double

ft

>= 79, <= 500 [365]

No

See [366]

Length (i.e., average depth) of each borehole

BoreholesOrTrenches/Spacing

double

ft

> 0

No

16.4

Distance between boreholes

BoreholesOrTrenches/Diameter

double

in

> 0

No

5.0

Borehole diameter

Grout/Type or Grout/Conductivity

string or double

Btu/hr-ft-F

See [367] or > 0

No

standard

Grout type or conductivity [368]

Pipe/Type or Pipe/Conductivity

string or double

Btu/hr-ft-F

See [369] or > 0

No

standard

Pipe type or conductivity [370]

Pipe/Diameter

double

in

See [371]

No

1.25

Pipe diameter

Pipe/ShankSpacing

double

in

> 0

No

See [372]

Center-to-center distance between two branches of a vertical U-tube

extension/BorefieldConfiguration

string

See [373]

No

Rectangle

Configuration of boreholes

Note

For a given combination of extension/BorefieldConfiguration, BoreholesOrTrenches/Count, BoreholesOrTrenches/Spacing, BoreholesOrTrenches/Length, and BoreholesOrTrenches/Diameter g-function values are determined using the G-Function Library (from the Geothermal Data Repository).

HPXML HVAC Control

If any HVAC systems are specified, a single thermostat is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACControl.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

HeatingSeason

element

No

See [374]

Heating season

CoolingSeason

element

No

See [375]

Cooling season

extension/CeilingFanSetpointTempCoolingSeasonOffset

double

F

>= 0

No

0

Cooling setpoint temperature offset [376]

HPXML HVAC Seasons

If a heating and/or cooling season is defined, additional information is entered in HVACControl/HeatingSeason and/or HVACControl/CoolingSeason.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Description

BeginMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

Yes

Begin month

BeginDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

Yes

Begin day

EndMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

Yes

End month

EndDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

Yes

End day

HPXML HVAC Setpoints

Thermostat setpoints are additionally entered using either simple inputs, hourly inputs, or Detailed Schedule Inputs.

Simple Inputs

To define simple thermostat setpoints, additional information is entered in HVACControl.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SetpointTempHeatingSeason

double

F

No [377]

68

Heating setpoint temperature

SetpointTempCoolingSeason

double

F

No [378]

78

Cooling setpoint temperature

If there is a heating temperature setback, additional information is entered in HVACControl.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SetbackTempHeatingSeason

double

F

Yes

Heating setback temperature

TotalSetbackHoursperWeekHeating

integer

hrs/week

> 0

Yes

Hours/week of heating temperature setback [379]

extension/SetbackStartHourHeating

integer

>= 0, <= 23

No

23 (11pm)

Daily setback start hour

If there is a cooling temperature setup, additional information is entered in HVACControl.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SetupTempCoolingSeason

double

F

Yes

Cooling setup temperature

TotalSetupHoursperWeekCooling

integer

hrs/week

> 0

Yes

Hours/week of cooling temperature setup [380]

extension/SetupStartHourCooling

integer

>= 0, <= 23

No

9 (9am)

Daily setup start hour

Hourly Inputs

To define hourly thermostat setpoints, additional information is entered in HVACControl.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

extension/WeekdaySetpointTempsHeatingSeason

array

F

No [381]

24 comma-separated weekday heating setpoints

extension/WeekendSetpointTempsHeatingSeason

array

F

No

24 comma-separated weekend heating setpoints

extension/WeekdaySetpointTempsCoolingSeason

array

F

No [382]

24 comma-separated weekday cooling setpoints

extension/WeekendSetpointTempsCoolingSeason

array

F

No

24 comma-separated weekend cooling setpoints

HPXML HVAC Distribution

The following distribution system types can be modeled:

Note

There can be at most one heating system and one cooling system attached to a distribution system. See HPXML Heating Systems, HPXML Cooling Systems, and HPXML Heat Pumps for information on which distribution system type is allowed for which HVAC system. Also note that some HVAC systems (e.g., room air conditioners) are not allowed to be attached to a distribution system.

Air Distribution

Each air distribution system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACDistribution.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

DistributionSystemType/AirDistribution

element

Yes

Type of distribution system

DistributionSystemType/AirDistribution/AirDistributionType

string

See [383]

Yes

Type of air distribution

DistributionSystemType/AirDistribution/DuctLeakageMeasurement[DuctType="supply"]

element

See [384]

Supply duct leakage value

DistributionSystemType/AirDistribution/DuctLeakageMeasurement[DuctType="return"]

element

See [385]

Return duct leakage value

DistributionSystemType/AirDistribution/Ducts

element

No

Supply/return ducts; multiple are allowed [386]

DistributionSystemType/AirDistribution/NumberofReturnRegisters

integer

>= 0

No

See [387]

Number of return registers

ConditionedFloorAreaServed

double

ft2

> 0

See [388]

Conditioned floor area served

Additional information is entered in each DuctLeakageMeasurement.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

DuctLeakage/Units

string

See [389]

Yes

Duct leakage units

DuctLeakage/Value

double

>= 0 [390]

Yes

Duct leakage value [391]

DuctLeakage/TotalOrToOutside

string

See [392]

Yes

Type of duct leakage (outside conditioned space vs total)

Additional information is entered in each Ducts.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

DuctInsulationRValue and/or DuctEffectiveRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

Yes

Duct R-value [393]

DuctBuriedInsulationLevel

string

See [394]

No

not buried

Duct buried insulation level [395]

DuctLocation

string

See [396]

No

See [397]

Duct location

FractionDuctArea and/or DuctSurfaceArea

double

frac or ft2

0-1 [398] or >= 0

See [399]

See [400]

Duct fraction/surface area in location

extension/DuctSurfaceAreaMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Duct surface area multiplier

Hydronic Distribution

Each hydronic distribution system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACDistribution.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

DistributionSystemType/HydronicDistribution

element

Yes

Type of distribution system

DistributionSystemType/HydronicDistribution/HydronicDistributionType

string

See [401]

Yes

Type of hydronic distribution system

Distribution System Efficiency (DSE)

Warning

A simplified DSE model is provided for flexibility, but it is strongly recommended to use one of the other detailed distribution system types for better accuracy. The DSE input is simply applied to heating/cooling energy use for every hour of the year.

Each distribution system using DSE is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/HVAC/HVACDistribution.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

DistributionSystemType/Other

string

DSE

Yes

Type of distribution system

AnnualHeatingDistributionSystemEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Seasonal distribution system efficiency for heating

AnnualCoolingDistributionSystemEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Seasonal distribution system efficiency for cooling

DSE values can be calculated using, e.g., ASHRAE Standard 152.

HPXML Mechanical Ventilation Fans

The following mechanical ventilation fan types that provide ventilation to the whole dwelling unit can be modeled:

Exhaust Only

Each exhaust only fan is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/MechanicalVentilation/VentilationFans/VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UsedForWholeBuildingVentilation

boolean

true

Yes

Ventilation fan use case [402]

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units [403]

FanType

string

exhaust only

Yes

Type of ventilation system

RatedFlowRate or TestedFlowRate or CalculatedFlowRate or DeliveredVentilation

double

cfm

>= 0

No

See [404]

Flow rate

HoursInOperation

double

hrs/day

>= 0, <= 24

See [405]

24

Hours per day of operation

FanPower

double

W

>= 0

No

See [406]

Fan power

Supply Only

Each supply only fan is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/MechanicalVentilation/VentilationFans/VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UsedForWholeBuildingVentilation

boolean

true

Yes

Ventilation fan use case [407]

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units [408]

FanType

string

supply only

Yes

Type of ventilation system

RatedFlowRate or TestedFlowRate or CalculatedFlowRate or DeliveredVentilation

double

cfm

>= 0

No

See [409]

Flow rate

HoursInOperation

double

hrs/day

>= 0, <= 24

See [410]

24

Hours per day of operation

FanPower

double

W

>= 0

No

See [411]

Fan power

Balanced

Each balanced (supply and exhaust) fan is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/MechanicalVentilation/VentilationFans/VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UsedForWholeBuildingVentilation

boolean

true

Yes

Ventilation fan use case [412]

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units [413]

FanType

string

balanced

Yes

Type of ventilation system

RatedFlowRate or TestedFlowRate or CalculatedFlowRate or DeliveredVentilation

double

cfm

>= 0

No

See [414]

Flow rate

HoursInOperation

double

hrs/day

>= 0, <= 24

No

24

Hours per day of operation

FanPower

double

W

>= 0

No

See [415]

Fan power

Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)

Each heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/MechanicalVentilation/VentilationFans/VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UsedForWholeBuildingVentilation

boolean

true

Yes

Ventilation fan use case [416]

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units [417]

FanType

string

heat recovery ventilator

Yes

Type of ventilation system

RatedFlowRate or TestedFlowRate or CalculatedFlowRate or DeliveredVentilation

double

cfm

>= 0

No

See [418]

Flow rate

HoursInOperation

double

hrs/day

>= 0, <= 24

No

24

Hours per day of operation

AdjustedSensibleRecoveryEfficiency or SensibleRecoveryEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

(Adjusted) Sensible recovery efficiency [419]

FanPower

double

W

>= 0

No

See [420]

Fan power

Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

Each energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/MechanicalVentilation/VentilationFans/VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UsedForWholeBuildingVentilation

boolean

true

Yes

Ventilation fan use case [421]

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units [422]

FanType

string

energy recovery ventilator

Yes

Type of ventilation system

RatedFlowRate or TestedFlowRate or CalculatedFlowRate or DeliveredVentilation

double

cfm

>= 0

No

See [423]

Flow rate

HoursInOperation

double

hrs/day

>= 0, <= 24

No

24

Hours per day of operation

AdjustedTotalRecoveryEfficiency or TotalRecoveryEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

(Adjusted) Total recovery efficiency [424]

AdjustedSensibleRecoveryEfficiency or SensibleRecoveryEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

(Adjusted) Sensible recovery efficiency [425]

FanPower

double

W

>= 0

No

See [426]

Fan power

Central Fan Integrated Supply (CFIS)

Each central fan integrated supply (CFIS) system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/MechanicalVentilation/VentilationFans/VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UsedForWholeBuildingVentilation

boolean

true

Yes

Ventilation fan use case [427]

FanType

string

central fan integrated supply

Yes

Type of ventilation system

CFISControls/AdditionalRuntimeOperatingMode

string

See [428]

No

air handler fan

How additional ventilation is provided (beyond HVAC system operation)

CFISControls/SupplementalFan

idref

See [429]

See [430]

The supplemental fan providing additional ventilation

RatedFlowRate or TestedFlowRate or CalculatedFlowRate or DeliveredVentilation

double

cfm

>= 0

No

See [431]

Flow rate [432]

HoursInOperation

double

hrs/day

>= 0, <= 24

false

8

Hours per day of operation [433]

FanPower

double

W

>= 0

No

See [434]

Fan power

AttachedToHVACDistributionSystem

idref

See [435]

Yes

ID of attached distribution system

extension/VentilationOnlyModeAirflowFraction

double

>= 0, <= 1

No

1.0

Blower airflow rate fraction during ventilation only mode [436]

Note

CFIS systems are automated controllers that use the HVAC system’s air handler fan to draw in outdoor air to meet an hourly ventilation target. CFIS systems are modeled as assuming they A) maximize the use of normal heating/cooling runtime operation to meet the hourly ventilation target, B) block the flow of outdoor air when the hourly ventilation target has been met, and C) provide additional runtime operation (via air handler fan or supplemental fan) to meet the remainder of the hourly ventilation target when space heating/cooling runtime alone is not sufficient.

Shared System

If the specified system is a shared system (i.e., serving multiple dwelling units), additional information is entered in VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FractionRecirculation

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

Yes

Fraction of supply air that is recirculated [437]

extension/InUnitFlowRate

double

cfm

>= 0 [438]

Yes

Flow rate delivered to the dwelling unit

extension/PreHeating

element

No

<none>

Supply air preconditioned by heating equipment? [439]

extension/PreCooling

element

No

<none>

Supply air preconditioned by cooling equipment? [440]

If pre-heating is specified for the shared system, additional information is entered in extension/PreHeating.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

Fuel

string

See [441]

Yes

Pre-heating equipment fuel type

AnnualHeatingEfficiency[Units="COP"]/Value

double

W/W

> 0

Yes

Pre-heating equipment annual COP

FractionVentilationHeatLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

Yes

Fraction of ventilation heating load served by pre-heating equipment

If pre-cooling is specified for the shared system, additional information is entered in extension/PreCooling.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

Fuel

string

See [442]

Yes

Pre-cooling equipment fuel type

AnnualCoolingEfficiency[Units="COP"]/Value

double

W/W

> 0

Yes

Pre-cooling equipment annual COP

FractionVentilationCoolLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

Yes

Fraction of ventilation cooling load served by pre-cooling equipment

HPXML Local Ventilation Fans

Each fan that provides local ventilation (e.g., kitchen range fan or bathroom fan) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/MechanicalVentilation/VentilationFans/VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UsedForLocalVentilation

boolean

true

Yes

Ventilation fan use case [443]

Count

integer

>= 0

No

See [444]

Number of identical fans

RatedFlowRate or TestedFlowRate or CalculatedFlowRate or DeliveredVentilation

double

cfm

>= 0

No

See [445]

Flow rate to outside [446]

HoursInOperation

double

hrs/day

>= 0, <= 24

No

See [447]

Hours per day of operation

FanLocation

string

See [448]

Yes

Location of the fan

FanPower

double

W

>= 0

No

See [449]

Fan power

extension/StartHour

integer

>= 0, <= 23

No

See [450]

Daily start hour of operation

HPXML Whole House Fans

Each whole house fan that provides cooling load reduction is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/MechanicalVentilation/VentilationFans/VentilationFan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

UsedForSeasonalCoolingLoadReduction

boolean

true

Yes

Ventilation fan use case [451]

RatedFlowRate or TestedFlowRate or CalculatedFlowRate or DeliveredVentilation

double

cfm

>= 0

No

2*ConditionedFloorArea

Flow rate

FanPower

double

W

>= 0

No

See [452]

Fan power

Note

The whole house fan is assumed to operate during hours of favorable outdoor conditions and will take priority over operable windows (natural ventilation).

HPXML Water Heating Systems

The following water heater types can be modeled:

If not entered, the simulation will not include water heating.

Conventional Storage

Each conventional storage water heater is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/WaterHeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

FuelType

string

See [453]

Yes

Fuel type

WaterHeaterType

string

storage water heater

Yes

Type of water heater

Location

string

See [454]

No

See [455]

Water heater location

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units or shared laundry room

TankVolume

double

gal

> 0

No

See [456]

Nominal tank volume

FractionDHWLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [457]

Yes

Fraction of hot water load served [458]

HeatingCapacity

double

Btu/hr

> 0

No

See [459]

Heating capacity

UniformEnergyFactor or EnergyFactor

double

frac

< 1

Yes

EnergyGuide label rated efficiency

UsageBin or FirstHourRating

string or double

str or gal/hr

See [460] or > 0

No

See [461]

EnergyGuide label usage bin/first hour rating

RecoveryEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1 [462]

No

See [463]

Recovery efficiency

WaterHeaterInsulation/Jacket/JacketRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

No

0

R-value of additional tank insulation wrap

HotWaterTemperature

double

F

> 0

No

125

Water heater setpoint [464]

UsesDesuperheater

boolean

No

false

Presence of desuperheater? [465]

extension/TankModelType

string

See [466]

No

mixed

Tank model type

extension/NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

See [467]

Number of bedrooms served directly or indirectly

Tankless

Each instantaneous tankless water heater is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/WaterHeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

FuelType

string

See [468]

Yes

Fuel type

WaterHeaterType

string

instantaneous water heater

Yes

Type of water heater

Location

string

See [469]

No

See [470]

Water heater location

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units or shared laundry room

PerformanceAdjustment

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1

No

See [471]

Multiplier on efficiency, typically to account for cycling

FractionDHWLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [472]

Yes

Fraction of hot water load served [473]

UniformEnergyFactor or EnergyFactor

double

frac

< 1

Yes

EnergyGuide label rated efficiency

HotWaterTemperature

double

F

> 0

No

125

Water heater setpoint [474]

UsesDesuperheater

boolean

No

false

Presence of desuperheater? [475]

extension/NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

See [476]

Number of bedrooms served directly or indirectly

Heat Pump

Each heat pump water heater is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/WaterHeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

FuelType

string

electricity

Yes

Fuel type

WaterHeaterType

string

heat pump water heater

Yes

Type of water heater

Location

string

See [477]

No

See [478]

Water heater location

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units or shared laundry room

TankVolume

double

gal

> 0

Yes

Nominal tank volume

FractionDHWLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [479]

Yes

Fraction of hot water load served [480]

UniformEnergyFactor or EnergyFactor

double

frac

> 1, <= 5

Yes

EnergyGuide label rated efficiency

HPWHOperatingMode

string

See [481]

No

hybrid/auto

Operating mode [482]

UsageBin or FirstHourRating

string or double

str or gal/hr

See [483] or > 0

No

See [484]

EnergyGuide label usage bin/first hour rating

WaterHeaterInsulation/Jacket/JacketRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

No

0

R-value of additional tank insulation wrap

HotWaterTemperature

double

F

> 0

No

125

Water heater setpoint [485]

UsesDesuperheater

boolean

No

false

Presence of desuperheater? [486]

extension/NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

See [487]

Number of bedrooms served directly or indirectly

Combi Boiler w/ Storage

Each combination boiler w/ storage tank (sometimes referred to as an indirect water heater) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/WaterHeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

WaterHeaterType

string

space-heating boiler with storage tank

Yes

Type of water heater

Location

string

See [488]

No

See [489]

Water heater location

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units or shared laundry room

TankVolume

double

gal

> 0

Yes

Nominal volume of the storage tank

FractionDHWLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [490]

Yes

Fraction of hot water load served [491]

WaterHeaterInsulation/Jacket/JacketRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

No

0

R-value of additional storage tank insulation wrap

StandbyLoss[Units="F/hr"]/Value

double

F/hr

> 0

No

See [492]

Storage tank standby losses

HotWaterTemperature

double

F

> 0

No

125

Water heater setpoint [493]

RelatedHVACSystem

idref

See [494]

Yes

ID of boiler

extension/NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

See [495]

Number of bedrooms served directly or indirectly

Combi Boiler w/ Tankless Coil

Each combination boiler w/ tankless coil is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/WaterHeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

WaterHeaterType

string

space-heating boiler with tankless coil

Yes

Type of water heater

Location

string

See [496]

No

See [497]

Water heater location

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units or shared laundry room

FractionDHWLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [498]

Yes

Fraction of hot water load served [499]

HotWaterTemperature

double

F

> 0

No

125

Water heater setpoint [500]

RelatedHVACSystem

idref

See [501]

Yes

ID of boiler

extension/NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

See [502]

Number of bedrooms served directly or indirectly

Desuperheater

If the water heater uses a desuperheater, additional information is entered in WaterHeatingSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

RelatedHVACSystem

idref

See [503]

Yes

ID of heat pump or air conditioner

Warning

A desuperheater is currently not allow if detailed water heater setpoint schedules are used.

HPXML Hot Water Distribution

If any water heating systems are provided, a single hot water distribution system must be described:

Hot water distribution systems are modeled according to the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019.

Note

In attached/multifamily buildings, only the hot water distribution system serving the dwelling unit should be defined. The hot water distribution associated with, e.g., a shared laundry room should not be defined.

Standard

A standard hot water distribution system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/HotWaterDistribution.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

SystemType/Standard

element

Yes

Type of distribution system

SystemType/Standard/PipingLength

double

ft

> 0

No

See [504]

Length of piping [505]

PipeInsulation/PipeRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

No

0.0

Pipe insulation R-value

DrainWaterHeatRecovery

element

No

<none>

Presence of drain water heat recovery device [506]

Recirculation (In-Unit)

An in-unit recirculation hot water distribution system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/HotWaterDistribution.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

SystemType/Recirculation

element

Yes

Type of distribution system

SystemType/Recirculation/ControlType

string

See [507]

Yes

Recirculation control type

SystemType/Recirculation/RecirculationPipingLoopLength

double

ft

> 0

No

See [508]

Recirculation piping loop length [509]

SystemType/Recirculation/BranchPipingLength

double

ft

> 0

No

10

Branch piping length [510]

SystemType/Recirculation/PumpPower

double

W

>= 0

No

50 [511]

Recirculation pump power

PipeInsulation/PipeRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

Yes

Pipe insulation R-value

DrainWaterHeatRecovery

element

No

<none>

Presence of drain water heat recovery device [512]

extension/RecirculationPumpWeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [513]

24 comma-separated recirculation pump weekday fractions

extension/RecirculationPumpWeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated recirculation pump weekend fractions

extension/RecirculationPumpMonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [514]

12 comma-separated recirculation pump monthly multipliers

Recirculation (Shared)

A shared recirculation hot water distribution system (serving multiple dwelling units) is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/HotWaterDistribution.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

SystemType/Standard

element

Yes

Type of distribution system

SystemType/Standard/PipingLength

double

ft

> 0

No

See [515]

Length of piping [516]

PipeInsulation/PipeRValue

double

F-ft2-hr/Btu

>= 0

No

0.0

Pipe insulation R-value

DrainWaterHeatRecovery

element

No

<none>

Presence of drain water heat recovery device [517]

extension/SharedRecirculation/NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

Yes [518]

Number of bedrooms served

extension/SharedRecirculation/PumpPower

double

W

>= 0

No

220 [519]

Shared recirculation pump power

extension/SharedRecirculation/ControlType

string

See [520]

Yes

Shared recirculation control type

extension/RecirculationPumpWeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [521]

24 comma-separated recirculation pump weekday fractions

extension/RecirculationPumpWeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated recirculation pump weekend fractions

extension/RecirculationPumpMonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [522]

12 comma-separated recirculation pump monthly multipliers

Note

The shared recirculation system is required to have a standard in-unit hot water distribution system; stacked recirculation systems (i.e., shared recirculation loop plus an additional in-unit recirculation system) are more likely to indicate input errors than reflect an actual real-world scenario.

Drain Water Heat Recovery

If a drain water heat recovery (DWHR) device is specified, additional information is entered in DrainWaterHeatRecovery.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

FacilitiesConnected

string

See [523]

Yes

Specifies which facilities are connected

EqualFlow

boolean

Yes

Specifies how the DHWR is configured [524]

Efficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Efficiency according to CSA 55.1

Drain water heat recovery is modeled according to the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019.

HPXML Water Fixtures

Each water fixture is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/WaterFixture.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

WaterFixtureType

string

See [525]

Yes

Bathroom faucet or shower

Count

integer

> 0

No

See [526]

Number of similar water fixtures

LowFlow and/or FlowRate

boolean or double

gpm

> 0

Yes

Whether the fixture is considered low-flow and/or the flow rate [527]

Additional information can be entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/WaterHeating/.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

extension/WaterFixturesUsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on hot water usage

extension/WaterFixturesWeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [528]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WaterFixturesWeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/WaterFixturesMonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [529]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

Water fixture hot water use is calculated per the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019.

HPXML Solar Thermal

A single solar hot water system can be described with either simple or detailed inputs.

It is recommended to use detailed inputs and allow EnergyPlus to calculate the solar contribution to the hot water load; the simple inputs are provided if equivalent calculations are performed in another software tool.

Simple Inputs

A simple solar hot water system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/SolarThermal/SolarThermalSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

SystemType

string

hot water

Yes

Type of solar thermal system

SolarFraction

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

Yes

Solar fraction [530]

ConnectedTo

idref

See [531]

No [532]

<none>

Connected water heater

Warning

The solar fraction will reduce the hot water load equally for every EnergyPlus timestep.

Detailed Inputs

A detailed solar hot water system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/SolarThermal/SolarThermalSystem.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

SystemType

string

hot water

Yes

Type of solar thermal system

CollectorArea

double

ft2

> 0

Yes

Area

CollectorLoopType

string

See [533]

Yes

Loop type

CollectorType

string

See [534]

Yes

System type

CollectorAzimuth or CollectorOrientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [535]

Yes

Direction panels face (clockwise from North)

CollectorTilt

double

deg

>= 0, <= 90

Yes

Tilt relative to horizontal

CollectorRatedOpticalEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, < 1

Yes

Rated optical efficiency [536]

CollectorRatedThermalLosses

double

Btu/hr-ft2-R

> 0

Yes

Rated thermal losses [537]

StorageVolume

double

gal

> 0

No

See [538]

Hot water storage volume

ConnectedTo

idref

See [539]

Yes

Connected water heater

HPXML Photovoltaics

Each solar electric photovoltaic (PV) system is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/Photovoltaics/PVSystem. If not entered, the simulation will not include photovoltaics.

Many of the inputs are adopted from the PVWatts model.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units

Location

string

See [540]

No

roof

Mounting location

ModuleType

string

See [541]

No

standard

Type of module

Tracking

string

See [542]

No

fixed

Type of tracking

ArrayAzimuth or ArrayOrientation

integer or string

deg or direction

>= 0, <= 359 or See [543]

Yes

Direction panels face (clockwise from North)

ArrayTilt

double

deg

>= 0, <= 90

Yes

Tilt relative to horizontal

MaxPowerOutput

double

W

>= 0

Yes

Peak power

SystemLossesFraction or YearModulesManufactured

double or integer

frac or #

>= 0, <= 1 or > 1600

No

0.14 [544]

System losses [545]

AttachedToInverter

idref

See [546]

Yes

ID of attached inverter

extension/NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

See [547]

Number of bedrooms served

HPXML Inverters

In addition, the PVSystem must be connected to an inverter that is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/Photovoltaics/Inverter.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

InverterEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1 [548]

No

0.96

Inverter efficiency

HPXML Batteries

A single battery can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/Batteries/Battery. If not entered, the simulation will not include batteries.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units

Location

string

See [549]

No

See [550]

Location

BatteryType

string

See [551]

Yes

Battery type

NominalCapacity[Units="kWh" or Units="Ah"]/Value

double

kWh or Ah

>= 0

No

See [552]

Nominal (total) capacity

UsableCapacity[Units="kWh" or Units="Ah"]/Value

double

kWh or Ah

>= 0, < NominalCapacity

No

See [553]

Usable capacity

RatedPowerOutput

double

W

>= 0

No

See [554]

Power output under non-peak conditions

NominalVoltage

double

V

>= 0

No

50

Nominal voltage

RoundTripEfficiency

double

frac

> 0, <= 1

No

0.925

Round trip efficiency

extension/NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

See [555]

Number of bedrooms served

Note

An unscheduled battery in a home with photovoltaics (PV) will be controlled using a simple control strategy designed to maximize on site consumption of energy. The battery will charge if PV production is greater than the building electrical load and the battery is below its maximum capacity, while the battery will discharge if the building electrical load is greater than PV production and the battery is above its minimum capacity.

A battery can alternatively be controlled using Detailed Schedule Inputs, where charging and discharging schedules are defined. Positive schedule values control timing and magnitude of charging storage. Negative schedule values control timing and magnitude of discharging storage. Simultaneous charging and discharging of the battery is not allowed. The round trip efficiency affects charging and discharging; the reported charging and discharging rates will be larger than the schedule value by an amount equal to the losses due to the round trip efficiency.

A battery in a home without PV or charging/discharging schedules is assumed to operate as backup and is not modeled.

HPXML Generators

Each generator that provides on-site power is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Systems/extension/Generators/Generator. If not entered, the simulation will not include generators.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

IsSharedSystem

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units

FuelType

string

See [556]

Yes

Fuel type

AnnualConsumptionkBtu

double

kBtu/yr

> 0

Yes

Annual fuel consumed

AnnualOutputkWh

double

kWh/yr

> 0 [557]

Yes

Annual electricity produced

NumberofBedroomsServed

integer

> NumberofBedrooms

See [558]

Number of bedrooms served

Note

Generators will be modeled as operating continuously (24/7).

HPXML Appliances

Appliances entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances.

HPXML Clothes Washer

A single clothes washer can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances/ClothesWasher. If not entered, the simulation will not include a clothes washer.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

IsSharedAppliance

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units [559]

Location

string

See [560]

No

conditioned space

Location

IntegratedModifiedEnergyFactor or ModifiedEnergyFactor

double

ft3/kWh/cyc

> 0

No

See [561]

Efficiency [562]

AttachedToWaterHeatingSystem or AttachedToHotWaterDistribution

idref

See [563]

See [564]

ID of attached water heater or distribution system

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on energy & hot water usage

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [565]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [566]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

If IntegratedModifiedEnergyFactor or ModifiedEnergyFactor is provided, a complete set of EnergyGuide label information is entered in ClothesWasher.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

RatedAnnualkWh

double

kWh/yr

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label annual consumption

LabelElectricRate

double

$/kWh

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label electricity rate

LabelGasRate

double

$/therm

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label natural gas rate

LabelAnnualGasCost

double

$

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label annual gas cost

LabelUsage

double

cyc/wk

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label number of cycles

Capacity

double

ft3

> 0

Yes

Clothes washer volume

Clothes washer energy use and hot water use is calculated per the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019 Addendum A.

HPXML Clothes Dryer

A single clothes dryer can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances/ClothesDryer. If not entered, the simulation will not include a clothes dryer.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

IsSharedAppliance

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units [567]

Location

string

See [568]

No

conditioned space

Location

FuelType

string

See [569]

Yes

Fuel type

CombinedEnergyFactor or EnergyFactor

double

lb/kWh

> 0

No

See [570]

Efficiency [571]

Vented

boolean

No

true

Whether dryer is vented

VentedFlowRate

double

cfm

>= 0

No

100 [572]

Exhaust flow rate during operation

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on energy use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [573]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [574]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

Clothes dryer energy use is calculated per the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019 Addendum A.

HPXML Dishwasher

A single dishwasher can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances/Dishwasher. If not entered, the simulation will not include a dishwasher.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

IsSharedAppliance

boolean

No

false

Whether it serves multiple dwelling units [575]

Location

string

See [576]

No

conditioned space

Location

RatedAnnualkWh or EnergyFactor

double

kWh/yr or #

> 0

No

See [577]

EnergyGuide label consumption/efficiency [578]

AttachedToWaterHeatingSystem or AttachedToHotWaterDistribution

idref

See [579]

See [580]

ID of attached water heater or distribution system

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on energy & hot water usage

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [581]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [582]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

If the RatedAnnualkWh or EnergyFactor is provided, a complete set of EnergyGuide label information is entered in Dishwasher.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

LabelElectricRate

double

$/kWh

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label electricity rate

LabelGasRate

double

$/therm

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label natural gas rate

LabelAnnualGasCost

double

$

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label annual gas cost

LabelUsage

double

cyc/wk

> 0

Yes

EnergyGuide label number of cycles

PlaceSettingCapacity

integer

#

> 0

Yes

Number of place settings

Dishwasher energy use and hot water use is calculated per the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019 Addendum A.

HPXML Refrigerators

Each refrigerator can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances/Refrigerator. If not entered, the simulation will not include a refrigerator.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Location

string

See [583]

No

See [584]

Location

RatedAnnualkWh

double

kWh/yr

> 0

No

See [585]

Annual consumption

PrimaryIndicator

boolean

See [586]

Primary refrigerator?

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on energy use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

See [587]

No

See [588]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [589]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

extension/ConstantScheduleCoefficients

array

No

See [590]

24 comma-separated constant coefficients

extension/TemperatureScheduleCoefficients

array

No

See [591]

24 comma-separated temperature coefficients

Note

Refrigerator energy use is affected by its ambient temperature when ConstantScheduleCoefficients and TemperatureScheduleCoefficients are used, in which case hourly energy for refrigerators is determined following Equation 4.2-X2 of ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2022 Addendum C:

((RatedAnnualkWh / 8760) * (ConstantScheduleCoefficients[hr] + TemperatureScheduleCoefficients[hr] * T_space)

where T_space is the ambient temperature (F) where the refrigerator is located and hr is the hour of the day.

HPXML Freezers

Each standalone freezer can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances/Freezer. If not entered, the simulation will not include a standalone freezer.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Location

string

See [592]

No

See [593]

Location

RatedAnnualkWh

double

kWh/yr

> 0

No

319.8 [594]

Annual consumption

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on energy use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

See [595]

No

See [596]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [597]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

extension/ConstantScheduleCoefficients

array

No

24 comma-separated constant coefficients

extension/TemperatureScheduleCoefficients

array

No

24 comma-separated temperature coefficients

Note

Freezer energy use is affected by its ambient temperature when ConstantScheduleCoefficients and TemperatureScheduleCoefficients are used, in which case hourly energy for freezers is determined following Equation 4.2-X2 of ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2022 Addendum C:

((RatedAnnualkWh / 8760) * (ConstantScheduleCoefficients[hr] + TemperatureScheduleCoefficients[hr] * T_space)

where T_space is the ambient temperature (F) where the freezer is located and hr is the hour of the day.

HPXML Dehumidifier

Each dehumidifier can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances/Dehumidifier. If not entered, the simulation will not include a dehumidifier.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Type

string

See [598]

Yes

Type of dehumidifier

Location

string

See [599]

Yes

Location of dehumidifier

Capacity

double

pints/day

> 0

Yes

Dehumidification capacity

IntegratedEnergyFactor or EnergyFactor

double

liters/kWh

> 0

Yes

Rated efficiency

DehumidistatSetpoint

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [600]

Yes

Relative humidity setpoint

FractionDehumidificationLoadServed

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [601]

Yes

Fraction of dehumidification load served

Note

Dehumidifiers are currently modeled as located within conditioned space; the model is not suited for a dehumidifier in, e.g., a wet unconditioned basement or crawlspace. Therefore the dehumidifier Location is currently restricted to “conditioned space”.

HPXML Cooking Range/Oven

A single cooking range can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances/CookingRange. If not entered, the simulation will not include a cooking range/oven.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Location

string

See [602]

No

conditioned space

Location

FuelType

string

See [603]

Yes

Fuel type

IsInduction

boolean

No

false

Induction range?

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on energy use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [604]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [605]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

If a cooking range is specified, a single oven is also entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Appliances/Oven.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

IsConvection

boolean

No

false

Convection oven?

Cooking range/oven energy use is calculated per the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019.

HPXML Lighting & Ceiling Fans

Lighting and ceiling fans are entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Lighting.

HPXML Lighting

Lighting is described using multiple LightingGroup elements for each location (interior, exterior, or garage). If no LightingGroup elements are provided for a given location (e.g., exterior), the simulation will not include that lighting use.

Lighting can be specified in one of two ways:

With either lighting specification, additional information can be entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Lighting.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

extension/InteriorUsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on interior lighting use

extension/GarageUsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on garage lighting use

extension/ExteriorUsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on exterior lighting use

extension/InteriorWeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [606]

24 comma-separated interior weekday fractions

extension/InteriorWeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated interior weekend fractions

extension/InteriorMonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [607]

12 comma-separated interior monthly multipliers

extension/GarageWeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [608]

24 comma-separated garage weekday fractions

extension/GarageWeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated garage weekend fractions

extension/GarageMonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [609]

12 comma-separated garage monthly multipliers

extension/ExteriorWeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [610]

24 comma-separated exterior weekday fractions

extension/ExteriorWeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated exterior weekend fractions

extension/ExteriorMonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [611]

12 comma-separated exterior monthly multipliers

Lighting Type Fractions

If specifying lighting type fractions, three /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Lighting/LightingGroup elements (one for each possible LightingType) are entered for each lighting location:

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

LightingType

element

See [612]

Yes

Lighting type

Location

string

See [613]

Yes

Lighting location [614]

FractionofUnitsInLocation

double

frac

>= 0, <= 1 [615]

Yes

Fraction of light fixtures in the location with the specified lighting type

Interior, exterior, and garage lighting energy use is calculated per the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019.

Annual Energy Consumption

If specifying annual energy consumption, a single /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Lighting/LightingGroup element is entered for each lighting location:

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Location

string

See [616]

Yes

Lighting location [617]

Load[Units="kWh/year"]/Value

double

kWh/yr

>= 0

Yes

Lighting energy use

Exterior Holiday Lighting

If exterior holiday lighting is specified, additional information is entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Lighting/extension/ExteriorHolidayLighting.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

Load[Units="kWh/day"]/Value

double

kWh/day

>= 0

No

See [618]

Holiday lighting energy use per day

PeriodBeginMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

No

11 (November)

Holiday lighting start date

PeriodBeginDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

No

24

Holiday lighting start date

PeriodEndMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 12

No

1 (January)

Holiday lighting end date

PeriodEndDayOfMonth

integer

>= 1, <= 31

No

6

Holiday lighting end date

WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [619]

24 comma-separated holiday weekday fractions

WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated holiday weekend fractions

HPXML Ceiling Fans

Each ceiling fan is entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Lighting/CeilingFan. If not entered, the simulation will not include a ceiling fan.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Airflow[FanSpeed="medium"]/Efficiency and/or LabelEnergyUse

double

cfm/W or W

> 0

No

See [620]

Efficiency at medium speed or EnergyGuide label average energy use

Count

integer

> 0

No

See [621]

Number of similar ceiling fans

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [622]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [623]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

Ceiling fan energy use is calculated per the Energy Rating Rated Home in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019.

Note

A reduced cooling setpoint can be specified for months when ceiling fans are operating. See HPXML HVAC Control for more information.

HPXML Pools & Permanent Spas

HPXML Pools

A single pool can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Pools/Pool. If not entered, the simulation will not include a pool.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Type

string

See [624]

Yes

Pool type

Pool Pump

If a pool is specified, a single pool pump can be entered as a Pool/Pumps/Pump. If not entered, the simulation will not include a pool pump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Type

string

See [625]

Yes

Pool pump type

Load[Units="kWh/year"]/Value

double

kWh/yr

>= 0

No

See [626]

Pool pump energy use

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on pool pump energy use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [627]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [628]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

Pool Heater

If a pool is specified, a pool heater can be entered as a Pool/Heater. If not entered, the simulation will not include a pool heater.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Type

string

See [629]

Yes

Pool heater type

Load[Units="kWh/year" or Units="therm/year"]/Value

double

kWh/yr or therm/yr

>= 0

No

See [630]

Pool heater energy use

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on pool heater energy use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [631]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [632]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

HPXML Permanent Spas

A single permanent spa can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/Spas/PermanentSpa. If not entered, the simulation will not include a permanent spa.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Type

string

See [633]

Yes

Permanent spa type

Permanent Spa Pump

If a permanent spa is specified, a single permanent spa pump can be entered as a PermanentSpa/Pumps/Pump. If not entered, the simulation will not include a permanent spa pump.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Type

string

See [634]

Yes

Permanent spa pump type

Load[Units="kWh/year"]/Value

double

kWh/yr

>= 0

No

See [635]

Permanent spa pump energy use

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on permanent spa pump energy use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [636]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [637]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

Permanent Spa Heater

If a permanent spa is specified, a permanent spa heater can be entered as a PermanentSpa/Heater. If not entered, the simulation will not include a permanent spa heater.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

Type

string

See [638]

Yes

Permanent spa heater type

Load[Units="kWh/year" or Units="therm/year"]/Value

double

kWh/yr or therm/yr

>= 0

No

See [639]

Permanent spa heater energy use

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on permanent spa heater energy use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [640]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [641]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

HPXML Misc Loads

Miscellaneous loads are entered in /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/MiscLoads.

HPXML Plug Loads

Each type of plug load can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/MiscLoads/PlugLoad.

It is required to include miscellaneous plug loads (PlugLoadType=”other”), which represents all residual plug loads not explicitly captured elsewhere. It is common to include television plug loads (PlugLoadType=”TV other”), which represents all television energy use in the home. It is less common to include the other plug load types, as they are less frequently found in homes. If not entered, the simulation will not include that type of plug load.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

PlugLoadType

string

See [642]

Yes

Type of plug load

Load[Units="kWh/year"]/Value

double

kWh/yr

>= 0

No

See [643]

Annual electricity consumption

extension/FracSensible

double

>= 0, <= 1

No

See [644]

Fraction that is sensible heat gain to conditioned space [645]

extension/FracLatent

double

>= 0, <= 1

No

See [646]

Fraction that is latent heat gain to conditioned space

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on electricity use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [647]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [648]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

HPXML Fuel Loads

Each fuel load can be entered as a /HPXML/Building/BuildingDetails/MiscLoads/FuelLoad.

It is less common to include fuel load types, as they are less frequently found in homes. If not entered, the simulation will not include that type of fuel load.

Element

Type

Units

Constraints

Required

Default

Notes

SystemIdentifier

id

Yes

Unique identifier

FuelLoadType

string

See [649]

Yes

Type of fuel load

Load[Units="therm/year"]/Value

double

therm/yr

>= 0

No

See [650]

Annual fuel consumption

FuelType

string

See [651]

Yes

Fuel type

extension/FracSensible

double

>= 0, <= 1

No

See [652]

Fraction that is sensible heat gain to conditioned space [653]

extension/FracLatent

double

>= 0, <= 1

No

See [654]

Fraction that is latent heat gain to conditioned space

extension/UsageMultiplier

double

>= 0

No

1.0

Multiplier on fuel use

extension/WeekdayScheduleFractions

array

No

See [655]

24 comma-separated weekday fractions

extension/WeekendScheduleFractions

array

No

24 comma-separated weekend fractions

extension/MonthlyScheduleMultipliers

array

No

See [656]

12 comma-separated monthly multipliers

HPXML Locations

The various locations used in an HPXML file are defined as follows:

Value

Description

Temperature

Building Type

outside

Ambient environment

Weather data

Any

ground

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

conditioned space

Above-grade conditioned space maintained at setpoint

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

attic - vented

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

attic - unvented

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

basement - conditioned

Below-grade conditioned space maintained at setpoint

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

basement - unconditioned

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

crawlspace - vented

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

crawlspace - unvented

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

crawlspace - conditioned

Below-grade conditioned space maintained at setpoint

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

garage

Unconditioned garage (not shared parking garage) [657]

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

manufactured home underbelly

Underneath the belly, ambient environment

Weather data

Manufactured only

manufactured home belly

Within the belly

Same as conditioned space

Manufactured only

other housing unit

E.g., conditioned adjacent unit or conditioned corridor

Same as conditioned space

SFA/MF only

other heated space

E.g., shared laundry/equipment space

Avg of conditioned space/outside; min of heating setpoint

SFA/MF only

other multifamily buffer space

E.g., enclosed unconditioned stairwell

Avg of conditioned space/outside; min of 50F

SFA/MF only

other non-freezing space

E.g., shared parking garage ceiling

Floats with outside; minimum of 40F

SFA/MF only

other exterior

Water heater outside

Weather data

Any

exterior wall

Ducts in exterior wall

Avg of conditioned space/outside

Any

under slab

Ducts under slab (ground)

EnergyPlus calculation

Any

roof deck

Ducts on roof deck (outside)

Weather data

Any

Validating & Debugging Errors

When running HPXML files, errors may occur because:

  1. An HPXML file provided is invalid (either relative to the HPXML schema or the EnergyPlus Use Case).

  2. An unexpected EnergyPlus simulation error occurred.

If an error occurs, first look in the run.log for details. If there are no errors in that log file, then the error may be in the EnergyPlus simulation – see eplusout.err.

Contact us if you can’t figure out the cause of an error.

Sample Files

Dozens of sample HPXML files are included in the workflow/sample_files directory. The sample files help to illustrate how different building components are described in HPXML.

Each sample file generally makes one isolated change relative to the base HPXML (base.xml) building. For example, the base-dhw-dwhr.xml file adds a DrainWaterHeatRecovery element to the building.

You may find it useful to search through the files for certain HPXML elements or compare (diff) a sample file to the base.xml file.