CBECC Title-24 Compliance Software

CBECC-Com uses EnergyPlus to perform simulations using a Simplified Geometry Method or Detailed Geometry Method with Sketchup and OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin for Detailed geometry input. Instructions and links for downloading the compliance software and the associated supporting software are listed below.

  1. Download/Install CBECC-Com 2013 v3e - Approved by California Energy Commission

    Click here to download and install CBECC-Com 2013 v3e (build 868)

    Click here to download and install CBECC-Com 2013 v3e (build 868) (Google Drive shared link)


    New in this version:
    • Upgrade of simulation engine to EnergyPlus 8.5
    • Expand support of partial compliance options for Additions
    • Added new input screens to define number of dwelling units and average floor area by number of bedrooms
    • New feature enabling output of hourly EnergyPlus simulation results to CSV files during analysis (via SimOutputVariablesToCSV*.ini file settings)
    • Added methodology for more accurate simulation of fenestration products with U-Factor > 1.03
    • Modified structure of inputs to allow specification of luminaires as new/altered/existing within a single InteriorLightingSystem
    • Updated criteria for specification of prescriptive lighting power in Standard Design for Alteration compliance types to exclude cases where < 10% of luminaires are affected by the alteration
    • Add the capability to identify load ranges for chilled water or hot water plant systems, and then specify the chillers or boilers that are to be used in each load range
    • Add new HeatRecovery object, which can be added to AirSystems that are 100% outside air
    • Add support for modeling single-packaged vertical units (SPVAC and SPVHP) as new types for AirSystem and ZoneSystem
    • Add ability to specify fixed seating for nonresidential spaces
    • Added support for water coils for supplemental heating for Single Zone Heat Pumps
    • For zones where there is no cooling, modified the baseline to also not have cooling
    • Added efficiency modifiers for zone systems that will not be tested for duct leakage and meet the criteria in Section 140.4(l)
    • Upgraded simulation to use CSE (California Simulation Engine) for residential DHW
    • Bug-fixes - see Quick Start guide

    Note:
    • CBECC-Com 2013 v3e has been approved by the California Energy Commission for Title 24 compliance.
    • This version comes bundled with EnergyPlus 8.5. Users do not need to install EnergyPlus 8.5 separately.
    • CBECC-Com 2013 v3e is not compatible with Windows Operating System XP or earlier

  2. Download/Install CBECC-Com 2013 v3d - Approved by California Energy Commission

    Click here to download and install CBECC-Com 2013 v3d (build 828)

    Click here to download and install CBECC-Com 2013 v3d (build 828) (Windows 10)   (Note: this file has been resigned for Windows 10 installation)


    Errata:
    1. User Manual (v3d) Cover Page: Year to read 2016 instead of 2015. Download corrected User Manual Cover Page

    New in this version:
    • Upgrade of simulation engine to EnergyPlus 8.3
    • Add project-level selection of Gas Type (Natural Gas vs. Propane), and if propane, whether or not natural gas is available onsite. Also related – replaced fossil fuel selections for various HVAC & DHW equipment with a single “Gas” option, which maps to the new project-level selection.
    • Established new file extensions for XML (.cibdx for 2013) project files.
    • Added ability to generate a compliance report populated with data describing the Standard Design model. This feature is available via the Project tabbed dialog as well as through the application’s Tools menu.
    • Added ability to simulate hot-water indirect fired, single-effect absorption chillers.
    • Added ability to simulate waterside economizer heat exchangers.
    • Update of residential ventilation modeling methodology. Ventilation must now be modeled as defined in the proposed design. If the proposed design uses forced (fan-driven) ventilation, the baseline ventilation system is an exhaust fan system. If the proposed design uses natural ventilation, the baseline ventilation is also natural.
    • For a list of additional features/enhancements see Quick Start guide
    • Bug-fixes - see Quick Start guide

    Note:
    • CBECC-Com 2013 v3d has been approved by the California Energy Commission for Title 24 compliance.
    • This version comes bundled with EnergyPlus 8.3. Users do not need to install EnergyPlus 8.3 separately.
    • CBECC-Com 2013 v3d is not compatible with Windows Operating System XP or earlier

  3. Download/Install CBECC-Com 2013 v3c - Approved by California Energy Commission

    Click here to download and install CBECC-Com 2013 v3c (Build 760)


    New in this version:
    • Added explicit model of residential type split systems, selected as zone system of type SZAC or SZHP. Includes new inputs and checks for 2015 single-phase, <65kBtu/hr efficiency requirements.
    • Added reporting of baseline system sizing ratios for heating and cooling coils (listed in zb –HVACSecondary.csv file)
    • Added display of minimum efficiency values for water heaters.
    • Added multipliers on water heaters.
    • Added checkbox to indicate and allow process spaces to not have process exhaust systems.
    • Added checkboxes to allow bypassing mandatory efficiency checks on individual heating and cooling coils.
    • Revised rules to enable support for water-source AC (no heat pump) units as a zone system, and connection of ChilledWater and HotWater coils to condenser water loops.
    • Bug-fixes - see Quick Start Guide for details

    Note:
    • CBECC-Com 2013 v3c has been approved by the California Energy Commission for Title 24 compliance. This version comes bundled with EnergyPlus 8.1. Users do not need to install EnergyPlus 8.1 separately.
    • CBECC-Com 2013 v3c is not compatible with Windows Operating System XP or earlier

  4. Getting Started With CBECC-Com

    Please read the Quick-Start Guide (v3e) / User Manual (v3e) to get started with CBECC-Com. Several example files are included with CBECC-Com and can be found in the C:\Users\(your username)\Documents\CBECC-Com 2013 Projects\ folder for a typical installation. These examples demonstrate how to assemble various building and HVAC system types.

  5. Download/Install SketchUp & OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin

    CBECC-Com uses SketchUp in combination with OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin to create and building geometry for input into CBECC-Com for simulation and compliance analysis. Please use the links below to download these supporting tools:

    Trimble SketchUp Click here to download and install SketchUp


    Note: The new versions of SketchUp, such as SketchUp Pro, may not be free, or may have restrictive user licenses, such as with Sketchup Make). To request a copy of SketchUp 8.0 (free version) please contact CBECC-Com Support at [email protected]

    OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin (latest version)
    Please read the installation instructions on the OpenStudio website to check for compatible version of SketchUp
    Click here to download the latest version of OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin

    OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin v1.4.0 (32-bit Windows Installer compatible with SketchUp v8.0)
    Click here to download and install OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin v1.4.0


    Note: In order to download OpenStudio Plugin, you are required to setup a user account.

  6. CBECC-Com Compliance Manager Software Documentation

    If you are interested in using the CBECC-Com Compliance Manager in third-party vendor compliance software tools, the software documentation for the compliance manager can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.

    CBECC-Com Compliance Manager Software Documentation v14

    CBECC-Com Input Data Model Changes from version v3d to v3e

  7. Standards Data Dictionary (SDD)

    The Standards Data Dictionary (SDD) defines the terminology and data model for compliance software and can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.

    Download the latest SDD Workbook (10/05/2016)