# Earth Advantage Institute’s EPS Auditor™ Energy Modeling Software Ranked First

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/02/earth-advantage-institutes-eps-auditor-energy-modeling-software-ranked-first/
- Published: 2012-02-04T20:07:14-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Portland, Ore., January 30, 2012- A third-party research study recently announced
that Earth Advantage Institute’s EPS Auditor™ energy modeling software ranked first
overall for its accuracy and consistency at estimating “asset-based” energy performance
metrics for existing homes in the Pacific Northwest. An asset-based rating for homes
is comparable to a “miles-per-gallon” rating for vehicles, because both ratings 
assess performance independent of occupant behavior. Other details of the study 
are:

• The final results were: first place, Earth Advantage; second place, EnergyMeasure
Home; third place, EnergySavvy.

• The energy modeling software tested included Earth Advantage’s EPS Auditor, based
on Michael Blasnik’s SIMPLE algorithm; EnergyMeasure Home (EMH), developed by Conservation
Services Group (CSG); Energy Savvy; Recurve; and the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Home Energy Scoring Tool (HEST).

• The study used the SEEM modeling software as the control, since it is the generally
accepted modeling tool for the region’s utilities and policymakers. SEEM is a much
more rigorous tool and the idea to simplify it for use as an asset rating tool was
quickly dismissed from consideration.

• The study involved modeling ‘prototype’ homes in which the inputs were roughly
based on regional averages, and modeling ‘test’ homes with data gathered from actual
inputs collected in the field.

• The study tested software with four different heating systems: zonal electric 
heat, electric furnace, gas furnace, and heat pump.

• The study tested homes in three different climate zones.

• Testing showed significant inaccuracies with both the Recurve and the HEST software.
These products were removed from final considerations.

“Overall, we were very pleased with the results of this comprehensive study,” said
Earth Advantage Institute’s Executive Director, Sean Penrith. “We believe that energy
labeling will influence homeowners’ purchases moving forward and it is vital that
these labels reflect energy information as precisely as possible.”

Earth Advantage Institute’s EPS Auditor software is currently being used by energy
programs in Washington, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Alabama. Independent energy
auditors are also using the software in New Mexico, Maryland and Illinois. “Our 
pilots have been instrumental in understanding how various market segments can use
this tool,” says Energy Performance Score Program Manager, David Heslam. “In addition
to the results of this study, our energy modeling software can be adapted for multiple
users ranging from home performance contractors to energy program managers on a 
state or national level.”

_**Source: Earth Advantage Institute**_

Earth Advantage Institute, a nonprofit green building resource, works with the building
and design industry to help implement sustainable building practices.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
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