TREAT 2.6 — New Release Increases User Productivity Through File Portability

January 16, 2004, Ithaca, NY

TREAT 2.6, the new version of Targeted Residential Energy Analysis Tools, is now available to energy professionals nationwide. TREAT 2.6 includes new functionality which allows users to easily share and copy TREAT projects using the new TPG (TREAT Project Group) file format. Users may open an individual project or save multiple projects in a project group. Individual TPG files can easily be shared across local area networks, via email, or posted on the web. This is particularly useful for organizations with multiple energy analysts working on the same audit. The TPG files can be stored on a server or easily passed between workstations.

Working with TREAT project templates will greatly increase productivity, as users do not need to start each project from scratch. Instead, they may open a pre-made "template project" that approximates the building to be modeled. Users may create their own templates preloaded with baseload items such as lighting, appliances, and hot water. "User feedback during beta testing was very encouraging. The new TPG format not only increases the speed of modeling but it also enables our team to improve our technical support and training initiatives." said Mark Lorentzen, PSD's VP of Development.

TREAT 2.6 features include:

Transportable data files allow users to easily exchange TREAT project files. Each file is known as a TPG file (TREAT Project Group) and has a .TPG extension.
Home Energy Rating scoring is now available to all users.
A Lifestyle Savings calculator computes the savings that can be achieved with little or no cost by occupants changing their behavior, for example replacing furnace filters regularly.
A new Weatherization Report shows the recommended financial investment for the building.
Heating and Cooling Seasons can be modeled on the Weather/Defaults screen. Billing and model heating energy usage during the months that are not part of a heating season is equal to zero, even if there is non-zero heating load during these months. The same rule applies to cooling. This allows users to model the common behavior of occupants who, for example, do not turn heating on until October, and who turn heating off on May 1.
Natural Ventilation can be modeled for free cooling during non-heating months, on the Spaces Advanced screen. This feature allows modeling the effect of opening the windows when the outdoor temperature is below 68F and the space temperature is above 70F.
Interacted Savings and Savings-to-Improvement Ratio (SIR) are shown for each improvement. The savings and SIR are shown individually for each improvement as implemented with the others. The improvements are sorted within the package from highest to lowest SIR.
Library upgrades to the Surfaces, Glazing, Frame, Heating, Cooling, Appliance, Lighting, Visual Inspection, Measurements and Daily Weather Libraries provide more choices for creating building models. New items include glass block windows, storm windows, Energy Star dishwashers, Energy Star heat pumps, and more surfaces with high-density foam insulation.
Multiple improvements to the calculation algorithms and the graphical user interface.

About TREAT — Targeted Residential Energy Analysis Tools

TREAT is a powerful software tool for weatherization which allows auditors to model building energy consumption and to identify the most cost-effective efficiency upgrades in both single family and multifamily buildings. This scalable application may be used to model all types of residential buildings including trailers, attached townhouse units, detached single family, and large multifamily buildings.

TREAT may be used to calculate a HERS score, perform load calculations and distribution sizing. Models may be created with multiple heating and cooling zones as well as unheated areas. TREAT allows users to project savings from single upgrades and packages of upgrades, taking into account interactions between measures. TREAT normalizes utility bills which allows users to "true up" estimated energy use against actual fuel bills. It also includes screens for recording and reporting health and safety data such as carbon monoxide and flue draft measurements.

TREAT's development has been sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in cooperation with the US Department of Energy (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). NYSERDA is currently integrating TREAT as the required auditing tool for their Home Performance with Energy Star® and New York Energy Star® Labeled Homes Programs. TREAT models building energy consumption using hourly weather data and the SUNREL calculation engine developed by the NREL. In addition to building insulation, window, and air leakage properties and mechanical system efficiencies, the model incorporates gains from solar radiation and lights, people and appliances.

TREAT has been extensively tested and is pre-approved by DOE for use in the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program. TREAT has passed the Tier 1 and Tier 2 BESTEST requirements and has the capability to provide home energy ratings in accordance with the national Home Energy Rating System (HERS) standard.

TREAT users include: NYSERDA's Assisted Multifamily Program energy audit providers; nhsaves, the New Hampshire electric utilities statewide weatherization initiative; and the California Building Performance Contractors Association, which is conducting a regional building performance pilot with support from the California Public Utilities Commission.

Performance Systems Development is a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in market transformation services for building performance, including software, training and research. Taitem Engineering is a consulting engineering firm with extensive design, energy audit, software development, and residential energy research experience.

TREAT Tech Support:

Phone: 607-277-6240 x260
Email:

Websites:
www.treatsoftware.com
www.psdconsulting.com