| # User Guide | |
| ## Getting Started | |
| ### Installation | |
| 1. Ensure you have Python 3.8 or higher installed | |
| 2. Install the required dependencies: | |
| ``` | |
| pip install -r requirements.txt | |
| ``` | |
| 3. Run the application: | |
| ``` | |
| streamlit run app.py | |
| ``` | |
| ### Navigation | |
| The application has three main sections accessible from the sidebar: | |
| - **Cooling Load Calculator**: Calculate cooling loads for buildings | |
| - **Heating Load Calculator**: Calculate heating loads for buildings | |
| - **Scenario Comparison**: Compare saved calculation scenarios | |
| ## Using the Calculators | |
| ### Building Information | |
| 1. Select a location from the dropdown | |
| 2. Enter the indoor design temperature | |
| 3. Enter the building volume | |
| 4. Enter the air changes per hour | |
| ### Adding Components | |
| 1. **Walls, Roofs, and Floors**: | |
| - Enter component details (area, U-value, orientation) | |
| - Click "Add Component" | |
| - To edit or delete components, use the buttons next to each entry | |
| 2. **Windows and Doors**: | |
| - Enter details (orientation, area, U-value, glass type, shading) | |
| - Click "Add Window/Door" | |
| - To edit or delete windows/doors, use the buttons next to each entry | |
| 3. **Internal Loads**: | |
| - Enter occupancy information | |
| - Specify lighting details | |
| - Add appliances with quantities | |
| - Add custom heat sources if needed | |
| ### Calculating Results | |
| 1. Navigate through all tabs to enter required information | |
| 2. Click "Calculate" on the final tab | |
| 3. View the results including: | |
| - Total load in kW | |
| - Recommended system size | |
| - Load breakdown by component | |
| - Visualizations of heat gains/losses | |
| ### Saving Scenarios | |
| After calculating results: | |
| 1. Enter a scenario name and description | |
| 2. Click "Save Scenario" | |
| 3. The scenario will be saved for future comparison | |
| ## Comparing Scenarios | |
| 1. Navigate to the "Scenario Comparison" page | |
| 2. Select the calculator type (cooling, heating, or all) | |
| 3. Select at least two scenarios to compare | |
| 4. Click "Compare Selected Scenarios" | |
| 5. View the comparison results: | |
| - Total load comparison | |
| - Load breakdown comparison | |
| - Differences between scenarios | |
| - Interpretation of results | |
| 6. Download the comparison data as CSV if needed | |
| ## Tips for Effective Use | |
| 1. **Base Case Analysis**: | |
| - Create a base case scenario first | |
| - Make incremental changes for subsequent scenarios | |
| - Compare to see the impact of each change | |
| 2. **Custom Heat Sources**: | |
| - Use the custom heat sources feature for equipment not in the predefined list | |
| - Enter the name and wattage for each custom source | |
| 3. **Component Editing**: | |
| - You can edit or delete components after adding them | |
| - This allows for quick adjustments without starting over | |
| 4. **Scenario Management**: | |
| - Give descriptive names to scenarios | |
| - Add detailed descriptions to remember what each scenario represents | |
| - Use the comparison tool to identify the most efficient building configuration | |