Energy Efficiency Analysis Skill

This skill provides specialized knowledge for building energy analysis and optimization projects.

Core Capabilities

Energy Modeling

• •EnergyPlus simulation setup and analysis
• •OpenStudio model development
• •Weather data integration and selection
• •HVAC system modeling strategies

Code Compliance

• •ASHRAE 90.1 performance path analysis
• •IECC commercial compliance verification
• •Energy cost budget calculations
• •Baseline model development

Performance Analysis

• •Energy use intensity (EUI) calculations
• •Peak demand analysis and optimization
• •Load profile evaluation
• •Equipment efficiency assessments

Available Scripts

• •scripts/energyplus_postprocess.py: Post-process EnergyPlus outputs
• •scripts/ashrae_compliance.py: ASHRAE 90.1 compliance calculations
• •scripts/eui_calculator.py: Building EUI analysis

Reference Materials

• •

eferences/ashrae_standards.md: Key ASHRAE standard requirements

eferences/energyplus_tips.md: EnergyPlus modeling best practices

eferences/iecc_requirements.md: IECC compliance procedures

Asset Templates

• •ssets/compliance_report_template.docx: Standard compliance report format
• •ssets/energy_model_checklist.xlsx: QA/QC checklist for models

Usage Examples

• •"Analyze this EnergyPlus model for ASHRAE 90.1 compliance"
• •"Calculate the energy savings from this efficiency measure"
• •"Generate a code compliance report for this building"
• •"Optimize the HVAC system sizing for this model"

Cost Analysis Tools

NPV Analysis Email Generator

Purpose: Generate lifecycle cost analysis summaries for energy efficiency measures and design alternatives

Location: scripts/npv_analysis_email_generator.py

Documentation: docs/TOOL_NPV_Email_Generator.md

When to Use:

• •Comparing energy efficiency measure costs vs. savings over lifecycle
• •Evaluating HVAC system alternatives (baseline vs. high-efficiency)
• •Generating cost comparison reports for LEED energy models
• •Creating stakeholder-ready summaries of first costs and NPV

Common Workflow:

1. •Run energy models for baseline and alternatives
2. •Extract annual energy costs from simulation results
3. •Input costs into NPV spreadsheet (Assumptions, Upfront_Costs, Cashflows_XNPV sheets)
4. •Recalculate formulas if needed
5. •Generate formatted summary:
   bash

   python scripts/npv_analysis_email_generator.py "path/to/NPV_Analysis.xlsx" \
     -o "path/to/Summary.xlsx" \
     -p "Project Name"
   

Output:

• •Excel summary with color-coded cost comparisons
• •Highlights lowest lifecycle cost option
• •Ready for client presentations and stakeholder communication

Integration:

• •Use xlsx skill to edit NPV spreadsheet and recalculate formulas
• •Use work-command-center to track NPV summary as deliverable
• •Use diagnosing-energy-models for HVAC alternative modeling

Example Use Cases:

• •"Compare lifecycle costs of GSHP vs. conventional HVAC"
• •"Generate NPV summary for LEED cost-benefit analysis"
• •"Create stakeholder report showing first cost vs. 25-year savings"

Saving Next Steps

When energy-efficiency work is complete or paused:

node .claude/skills/work-command-center/tools/add-skill-next-steps.js \
  --skill "energy-efficiency" \
  --content "## Priority Tasks
1. Complete ASHRAE 90.1 compliance analysis
2. Generate NPV summary for efficiency measures
3. Finalize energy model QA/QC"

See: .claude/skills/work-command-center/skill-next-steps-convention.md