Home Energy Audit Software with 3D Modeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Home energy audits are hindered by manual and outdated computer programs with poor usability and limited data analysis capabilities, making it difficult for contractors to provide detailed and accurate energy efficiency improvements to homeowners.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented tool that converts user inputs, including two-dimensional home layouts and diagnostic test results, into input data for an energy simulation engine, generating three-dimensional models and executing yearly energy simulations to provide comprehensive and customer-friendly data on energy expenditure and potential savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual methods or simple computer programs are used for home energy audits, then the process is easier to implement, but the data analysis capabilities and accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary software system that acts as a bridge between simple user inputs and complex energy simulation analysis. The software includes user interfaces for data entry, conversion modules that transform inputs into simulation-ready data, and automated reporting functions. This intermediary layer enables contractors to achieve professional-grade analysis accuracy without requiring expertise in complex simulation tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The software system performs self-service by automatically converting user inputs into appropriate input data for energy simulation engines, executing simulations, and generating comprehensive reports without manual intervention. The system includes automated data validation, conversion to simulation-ready formats, and report generation functions that eliminate the need for manual data processing and analysis.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive diagnostic tests and detailed data collection are performed, then the accuracy of energy efficiency recommendations is improved, but the time and complexity of the audit process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The software performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring data collection templates, pre-validating input data formats, and pre-processing information before simulation execution. The system includes pre-defined schemas for building envelope data, HVAC system parameters, and diagnostic test results, which streamlines the data collection process and reduces on-site audit time while maintaining comprehensive data quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The software enables continuous processing of audit data through automated workflows that continuously convert inputs, execute simulations, and generate reports without interruption. The system maintains continuous data validation and processing pipelines that eliminate idle time between data collection and analysis, ensuring that the entire audit process flows efficiently from data entry to recommendation generation.
3Loss of information
If detailed three-dimensional modeling and yearly energy simulations are executed, then the comprehensiveness of energy analysis is improved, but the computational resources and processing time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The software segments the energy analysis process into distinct modular components: data collection modules, data conversion modules, simulation execution modules, and report generation modules. Each module handles specific aspects of the analysis independently, allowing for efficient resource allocation and parallel processing. The three-dimensional building model is segmented into individual components (walls, roofs, floors, windows) that can be analyzed separately and aggregated for comprehensive results.
Solution Approach 2:
The software implements partial action by allowing users to execute simulations at different levels of detail based on audit requirements. The system can perform comprehensive yearly energy simulations with full three-dimensional modeling when needed, or execute simplified analyses for specific building components or time periods. This enables flexible resource allocation that matches computational effort to the actual information needs of each audit scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for facilitating a home energy audit. In one embodiment, a plurality of user inputs can be received that pertain to an energy audit of a home, where the plurality of user inputs user inputs can include one or more two-dimensional layouts of the home. The user inputs can be converted into input data appropriate for consumption by an energy simulation engine, where the converting can comprise generating a three-dimensional model of the home can be generated based on the one or more two-dimensional layouts. A yearly energy simulation of the home can then be executed via the energy simulation engine based on the input data.