IES launches VE-Navigator for LEED Modeling

Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), a provider of integrated performance analysis software and consulting services for sustainable building design, today launched an exciting, advanced LEED Energy Modeling tool. It streamlines the process while increasing productivity and accuracy. The product, known as the VE-Navigator for ASHRAE 90.1 (LEED Energy), was designed by experts in the field and live project tested by users. Granted EPACT approval in December 2009, it streamlines the calculation and submission process. By providing a structured workflow, VE-Navigator simplifies the modeling process, allowing the user to check off as each required step is completed. Plus, reports are created automatically in a format suitable for LEED submission. Many technical, time-saving and commercial benefits are included, such as instant creation of all four baseline models from the proposed design, the ability to import and edit ASHRAE baseline system prototypes, and the facility to gain feedback early on in a project to maximize LEED Energy Credits obtained. Cutting down on unnecessary data input and modeling duplication, the tool reduces error and allows data for all five models to be managed and edited from one file. The new IES VE-Navigator concept, which the product uses, provides a detailed step-by-step structured workflow, in built QA functionality and is integrated into the full IESVE suite so users can perform other analysis simulations straight from the proposed design model; including solar shading, daylight, thermal comfort and performance against other LEED credits. Users who have been testing the product over the past six months have spoken highly of the tool. Steven Lembo, an associate with Kohler Ronan, LLC, who has used the product on three projects, said, "It has reduced the time it takes us to undertake ASHRAE 90.1 PRM calculations by around 45%. We were also able to perform faster rudimentary models during early design stages for LEED projects." He also commented on the ease of the modeling process, saying; "The biggest benefit of this Navigator has been its ability to easily model all the PRM requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 for the baseline case. Its step-by-step workflow makes it extremely easy to create the baseline case with all the (4) required rotations. Prior to this a lot of modeling hours were spent creating all the complexities of the PRM process." Chris Flood from Cobalt Engineering, LLP said, "To date, we have been using the IES ASHRAE 90.1 VE- Navigator to produce ratings for final LEED models. The PRM process is a complicated one with many rules and specific requirements for whole building simulation. Any tool which simplifies that process by laying out a logical workflow covering all the necessary requirements is of definite interest to a building analyst."