From: Rob Vieira [mailto:robin@fsec.ucf.edu]
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2014 11:53 PM
To: 'mo.madani@myfloridalicense.com'
Cc: 'jmyron@fsec.ucf.edu'; 'Jeff Sonne'; 'jody@fsec.ucf.edu'; 'Philip Fairey'
Subject: REM/Rate review for Florida energy code submission

Mo,

We have reviewed the REM/Rate software submission for 2010 FL Code and have attached a report, in PDF and Word formats, with the findings after running the required tests with the building files provided by AEC. This email provides some details of our findings and concerns for the commission to consider.  There are some differences between the tests results they submitted compared to the results we obtained when running the tests with their building files.  These differences are marked red in the attached report and the report pages are noted here.  In addition to differences in the test data provided with the submission, the DHW Test (page 3) case DHW-MN-56-4 fails.  The DSE Test (page 5) data seems to pass, however the heating and cooling energy is different for every test case and the fan energy is not available in the software.  The Orlando cooling loads in FL HERS BESTEST (page 9) fails - data was different in every case and fails test case L202AO, L1100AO-L100AO delta, and L150AO-L100AO delta.  The HVAC Test (page 11) data we received was also different for every test case.  The software does not provide a method to display the Florida Standard Reference Home so we are unable to verify the Florida Reference Home Test (pages 12 and 13).  The data submitted in the cooling loads of the HERS BESTEST Tier 1 test (page 16) include many differences and when my staff ran their house in the software the test fails the following test cases; Base, High Inf, Well Insulated Roof & Walls, South Oriented Windows, South Windows w/Overhang, East & West Oriented Windows, No Internal Loads, and L140AO-L100AO.

There are a number of items that may raise concern as whether this software product is ready to be approved for Florida building permit purposes.

· The software seems to lack error checking for mandatory measures when running a performance compliance. A user could enter windows not meeting the area weighted  window SHGC when the overhang is less than 4 feet and still believe that they passed the code. The building inspector would have to catch this on the output. 

· The software also seems to provide a detailed and a simplified entry method for data entry which does not provide wall orientation or wall area and perhaps other entries. The simplified entry method will be less accurate and the commission should consider whether they want to allow the such a simplified method if approving this software. 

· The software does not provide an option for specifying the construction is an addition. 

· The FL Code report in REM/Rate uses the term “Baseline” when it should indicate “Standard Reference.” 

· The software does not provide an input for the user to identify a roof solar absorptance or reflectance has been tested according to the ASTM standard but provides credit anyhow.

· When you change refrigerators or lighting in REM/rate (features of energy ratings) the Florida code compliance can change. For Florida code 2010, the internal loads are fixed and the performance values for code purposes should not change.

· The solar entry does not include the FEF input which is required by FL Code which states:

403.4.3.2.3 Solar water heating systems. Solar systems for domestic hot water production are rated by the annual solar energy factor of the system. The solar energy factor of a system shall be determined from the Florida Solar Energy Center Directory of Certified Solar Systems. Solar collectors shall be tested in accordance with ISO Standard 9806,Test Methods for Solar Collectors, and SRCC Standard TM-1, Solar Domestic Hot Water System and Component Test Protocol.

With the short amount of time available there may be other deficiencies not identified.

Thanks.  I am out of the office the coming week. Please contact Jeff Sonne with any follow-up.