About the Calculator
What is the Energy Plus-Calculator?
It’s a unique and easy-to-use tool that makes it simple to figure out how to design a highly energy efficient solution that meets provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 so that you can take advantage of the tax deduction offered under the Act, provide a view of the related maintenance, tax implications and an easy to view summary of fixture selections.
Who is the intended audience for the Calculator?
As the name implies, the Energy Plus-Calculator is intended to serve the interests of the engineer, builder, contractor, distributor and specifier, and anyone looking to save energy, reduce the environmental impact, rebates, and take advantage of the EPAct 2005 tax deductions so a decision can be made on retrofit, redesign and or new construction projects.
What are some of the key features and benefits of the Calculator?
On August 8, 2005 President Bush signed the largest overhaul of the national energy policy since 1992. The Energy Police Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) offered accelerated tax incentives to combat the nation’s growing energy crisis. In order for the building owner or designer, in the case of schools, to submit the tax deduction, the building must be commissioned by December 31, 2008 by a qualified individual.
To reduce the energy consumption, it was determined that ASHRAE / IESNA 90.1-2001 Light Power Density (LPD) standards, also referred to as watts per square foot, would be the baseline. All buildings / spaces, excluding warehouses, have a sliding scale ranging from 25% to 40%. The tax deduction for these areas ranges from $0.30 per square foot to $0.60 per square foot. For warehouses, the LPD must be beat by 50% to receive a $0.60 per square foot tax deduction.
On the Project Information section of the Project Setup tab if the answers YES to ‘Are you Appling for EPAct? the Energy Plus-Calculator will determine if the building / space potentially qualifies for the tax deduction.
The Energy Plus-Calculator will calculate the energy savings, impact on the environment, ROI, simple payback and calculate financing if that is the factor. The energy savings takes into account the ballast and lamp type being used, the impact on the HVAC and additional savings by incorporating lighting controls. Maintenance cost, rebates, installation, disposal and recycling can also be calculated in to the simple payback. The installation, disposal and recycling can be entered one of two ways.
1. On the Project Information section of the Project Setup tab, if Lot is selected from the Pricing Method drop down, then on the Capital Cost Summary section of the System Setup tab a lot price can be entered.
2. On the Project Information section of the Project Setup tab, if Detailed is selected from the Pricing Method drop down, then on the Capital Cost Summary section of the System Setup tab additional cost can be entered.
Fixture Comparison:
By selecting the comparison type as a Fixture Comparison on the Project Information section of the Project Setup; tab the energy savings, impact on the environment, maintenance, impact of controls, the ROI and simple payback for up to four (4) luminaires can be calculated and compared.
System Comparison:
By selecting the comparison type as a System Comparison on the Project Information section of the Project Setup tab the energy savings, impact on the environment, maintenance, impact of controls, the ROI and simple payback for up to four (4) luminaires can be calculated.
Other Features:
Other features allow the user to account for the benefits of dimming controls, related state rebates, air conditioning reductions, and capital invested in an easy to see format demonstrating the energy savings and payback for each lighting proposal.
Customized Fixture Database: The tool allows the user to customize the lighting solution to better fit a particular site’s needs and assess and revise the fixture database to better reflect each site’s known performance criteria, labor and materials costs and the utility rates specific to each building site. All data must be entered manually.
Recalculate Function Allows What-if Scenarios: The tool allows the user to run through what-if scenarios by changing energy efficient features and then recalculate in an effort to find other compliance paths that they prefer.
Report Generator: The tool allows the user to generate and print a report presenting the compliance path for the tax deduction, environment compliance, financial summary and other related energy reduction benefits and rebates. This report can be saved in the user’s files as evidence for future comparisons.
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System Requirements and Security Settings
Processor |
Pentium 4, 1.00 GHz or higher |
Operating System |
Windows Vista (SP2 or later)
Windows XP Professional (SP2 or later)
Windows XP Home Edition (SP2 or later)
Windows 2000 Professional (SP4 or later) |
Memory |
128 MB; 512 MB recommended |
Hard Disk |
100 MB of available hard disk space. |
Drive |
CD-ROM drive |
Display |
High-resolution monitor (1024x768 or higher) |
Can I use on a Mac?
This program was designed to run on a PC/Windows environment . It was not configured for use on a Mac. Since the program is Microsoft Excel based, it may function as intended on a Mac System. However, technical support for Macs is not available at this time.
My company restricts downloading applications (why is this a download rather than a web-based tool)? How do I load the software on my computer with the software restrictions my company has in place?
Despite its simple and intuitive user-interface, The Energy Plus-Calculator was designed in a historically known platform, Excel, allowing almost all users the capability to perform the complex calculations with spreadsheet usability and easy to download format. Given these facts, this tool is best suited as a desktop software tool in order to provide optimal system performance and enhanced user experience.
My system blocks use of the application by alerting me that there are too many macros. How can I get it to work?
This issue can be easily resolved by adjusting the Microsoft Excel security settings. To resolve, take the following steps:
1. Open Microsoft Excel
2. Click on ‘Tools’ from the file menu and select ‘Options…’
3. Select the ‘Security’ tab
4. Then click the ‘Macro Security…’ button
5. Select ‘Medium’ security level and click ‘OK’.
6. Launch the Energy Plus-Calculator application. The program should now function as intended.
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How the Calculator Works
What utility rates were used?
Users are able to input their local utility rates. The utility rates are used to calculate the economic impact for either a fixture comparisons or a system comparison.
How do I load my own fixture information?
A customized fixture comparison can be entered into the tool on the Fixture Performance page by clicking on the System Setup tab. In the Lamp Source section, select the Custom option from the green drop down menu.
How do I load my fixture and cost data?
Fixture and Cost data can be added and saved through the "Project and System Set-up” screen accessible from the user interface. Note that custom fixture and cost data can be added as an option to pre-populated Juno Lighting Group fixture information that accounts for the AccuLite brand. After generating optimized results, click on the payback summary to review the costs and related energy impact. Navigate through the options to find the components for which the costs need to be revised. After saving a set of lighting solutions, they can be applied to other site scenarios.
How do I edit/update the Energy Plus-Calculator?
New versions will be placed on the website and alerts will be provided to users if they registered as users with the Juno Lighting Group user group.
Since the Energy Plus-Calculator will probably be updated what will happen if a user runs an old scenario on an updated version of the Calculator?
As is the case with subsequent enhanced versions of any software, there is no guarantee that saved data files run on newer versions of the Energy Plus-Calculator will generate identical results. Since the Energy Plus-Calculator saves the input data and the results - in file format, Users are urged to keep a copy of all reports that will be used to support a project review.
If I am building the same site plan multiple times, can I apply a single set of results from the program to all of the sites?
Generally speaking, yes the results can be used multiple times if the same plan is built more than once. However, the buildings must have identical architectural characteristics and energy efficiency features. For example, if the location or orientation of the site differs, then the inputs must be updated to reflect these changes.
How do I model multiple HVAC systems and how are they accounted for in the Energy Plus-Calculator?
Multiple HVAC systems will be treated as one system for energy modeling purposes. The associated costs of the multiple systems should be added together and entered into the builder cost database as one system.
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Support
Who can walk me thru using the Calculator?
The Calculator is fairly easy and intuitive to use. However, you can get further assistance from Juno Lighting Group by calling 1-888-387-2212 .
My system locked up while using the Calculator. Who do I call?
Contact technical support by email at Energyplus@junolightinggroup.com or call 1-888-387-2212. Be prepared to provide information on your computer configuration and what activities you were performing at the time of the problem.
How do I access training information?
For the most comprehensive training information, click the EPC Tutorial green tab on the Energy Plus-Calculator home page. The full tutorial runs approximately 10 minutes, although you are able to jump to specific menu options of interest. The calculator application also has built-in help information you can access at any time. If you still have questions or require assistance, please call 1-888-387-2212.
How do I access training information and is there a technical contact?
There is very robust Help information in the Calculator. If you need Technical Assistance, please call 1-888-387-2212 .
How do I submit suggestions for enhancements/improvements?
You can send the suggestions, comments, or questions directly to the Energyplus@junolightinggroup.com email address for further review.
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