User manual

FAQ for CBECC-Res 2013

We have added a HERS Features Summary to the CF1R (following Required Special Features). This

will help you determine why a watermark is appearing on an existing plus addition CF1R. Also note,

that on an Addition Alone, which is modeled as New Construction, the watermark will appear

because there is not yet a way to identify existing HVAC equipment. For those cases, you will need

to continue to use the guidance found in the July 17 FAQ #5.

2. The column named HERS Verification does not always say Required or Not Required. Am I

misunderstanding the use of this column?

Most users only notice this name when HERS verification is not required. If that is the case, the “. . .

HERS VERIFICATION” table that typically appears as the next section on the form will not appear.

Otherwise, this column is used as a guide to the HERS verification table that follows, which is

particularly useful if different conditions apply. For example, the user has defined two distribution

systems naming them Attic Ducts and Crawl Ducts. Column 08 is a software defined name that

provides a guide to the next table (if included). In this case, the duct leakage was specified as 5% but

only for the crawl space ducts, not the attic ducts:

3. Are there any other ways for getting around in the CBECC-res software that do not rely so heavily

on the mouse?

You can use the following alternative procedures for getting from one field to another, or to access

the rick-click tools menu:

• Up/down arrow - moves up/down the tree.

• <Alt> Enter – opens data for object highlighted / then tab to the field

• <Alt>F1 – opens the right mouse quick menu. Once open:

a. up/down arrows to highlight a selections and <enter>, or type the letter such as “E" to edit,

“R” to rename

b. when the bottommost "Create" item is selected - right/left arrow keys to open/close

submenu of children to create

c. <esc> key to close right mouse menu

• Left/right arrows - when on an object with children (i.e., a wall with windows) left arrow

contracts and right arrow expands (to show/hide the child objects)

4. When giving my client options for making their building comply, I like to run various scenarios. Are

there any automated or semi-automated tips for doing this?

You can create multiple input files, each with a different value or set of measures, and use a batch

file to run all of the files without using the CBECC-Res interface. This is a useful tool if you have a

separate computer or while you take a break as it requires no interaction once it is executed. Be

sure to set it to create the PDF as well for your review when all of the runs are complete.