Default settings
Input given here will be used unless other data has been given in the zone or subsystem.
Elements of Construction
External walls
Construction for external walls lacking descriptions in the zone.
Internal walls
Construction for internal walls lacking descriptions in the zone.
Internal floors
Construction for internal floors lacking descriptions in the zone.
Roof
Construction for roofs lacking descriptions in the zone.
External floor
Construction for floor slabs lacking descriptions in the zone.
Basement wall towards ground
Construction for basement walls towards ground lacking descriptions in the zone. A ground insulation layer is normally described as part of the ground structure.
Slab towards ground
Construction for floor slabs towards ground lacking descriptions in the zone. A ground insulation layer is normally described as part of the ground structure.
Glazing
Glazing for windows lacking descriptions in the zone (only for simplified window model).
Door construction
The default construction for doors. The default setting for this parameter is "[use wall construction]" that means where be no special treatment of wall material (this setting is compatible with ICE 3.0 version)
Integrated window shadings
The default shading device for simplified window model.
Generator Efficiencies
Default efficiencies for fixed efficiency plant components and ideal room units are given here. Radio buttons are used to select the default type of energy for each purpose.
Energy Meters
Default Energy meters can be defined for each general type of usage and energy carrier. It is of course still possible to override defaults by local choice of meter at each point of usage.
Other
Currency
Change the default currency abbreviation in reports and tables.
Zone model fidelity
Selects the degree of accuracy for the mathematical models of the zones. If the Climate or Climate (with stratification) models are selected, a very detailed physical model of the building and its components will be simulated. With the Climate (with stratification) model it is also possible to compute the vertical temperature gradient. If instead the Energy model is selected, a simpler physical model is used which has a more conventional degree of accuracy based on the mean radiant temperature. Consequently, the calculation time will be shorter or at most equal to that of the Climate model. The computation time of the Climate (with stratification) model is longer and increases with the number of horizontal layers in which the zone is divided.
The Energy zone model does not, unlike the Climate zone models, calculate a position dependent operative temperature. Climate and Climate (with stratification) models are no longer restricted to zones with rectangular geometries thanks to a more accurate prediction of the view factors for long- and shortwave radiation.
The zone models use the same description of the building. All the component models in and around the zone such as windows, radiators, controllers, leaks, terminals, etc. are common for the simplified and detailed zone models, although the interactions with the zone may differ between the zone models.
The choice of model can also be made for every zone locally in the zone’s form in the Model fidelity combo box on the Advanced tab. The choice for the whole building in the dialog above does not apply to those zones in which local choices have been made.
More information on all the zone models is given in the IDA ICE encyclopedia. You can learn more about the Climate (with stratification) model in "IDA ICE 5.0 - Climate (with stratification) model Tutorial". A theoretical background of the Climate (with stratification) model is given in "The Climate Model with stratification".
Zone cooling coil temperature
For zone cooling units it is important to know the temperature of their surface toward the zone (in simpler models also called cooling "coil temperature"). As long as the cooling units are specified, this temperature can be calculated within the simulation, depending on e.g. the cooling coil supply temperature, that will be defined in the "Distribution system" of the central "Plant". But for ideal coolers, this temperature will not be calculated. That's why ideal coolers in zones need a temperature to account for possible condensation.
Links
IDA resources, i.e. used input data objects.