From building inputs to a simulation-ready EnergyPlus model.
EnergyFront is desktop software that turns a building description into a complete, simulation-ready EnergyPlus IDF, runs the simulation, and reports energy use, thermal loads, thermal comfort, and overheating hours. No manual IDF editing is required, and the generated model can be calibrated in EPCalibration and optimized in PareVia.
Windows 10 / 11. A license key is required to activate V3.5. By downloading, you agree to the Licence Agreement, which includes the tested scope and known limitations set out in the EnergyFront Validation and Testing Report (Section 9.5).
EnergyFront V3.5 in action
EnergyFront V3.5 Current
Advanced simulation, control and AI.
What EnergyFront V3.5 offers
- Floor by floor. Each level can have its own plan, floor count and space types, with a plan editor for every level.
- Windows, wall by wall. Place windows on each individual wall and see them on the wall before the IDF is generated.
- Advanced HVAC control. Operative temperature thermostat control, overcooling to dehumidify, heat recovery and free-cooling options.
- Control logic every time step. Python control scripts run through the EnergyPlus API and change setpoints, schedules or actuators during the simulation.
- Every decision logged. Each control action is written to a log file, so the behaviour can be checked hour by hour.
- Read, decide, act. Test IoT and smart-building strategies such as adaptive EN 16798-1 setpoints or pre-cooling before occupancy.
- AI-assisted scripts. Describe the control or analysis in plain words, let an AI assistant write the script, then check and run it.
- Your own analysis. Custom result scripts for your own objectives, such as occupied hours above a comfort limit by month and zone.
- Help written for engineers. Every page explains its inputs and how each result is calculated.
Four steps from a building description to results
Describe the building
Choose the building type, draw or enter the floor plans, set the levels and space types. Zoning is created automatically.
Set envelope and systems
Define constructions layer by layer, glazing, HVAC, domestic hot water, natural ventilation, and schedules.
Generate and run
EnergyFront writes the IDF and runs EnergyPlus, with a live progress panel that reports each simulation step and any failure reason.
Review and export
Inspect energy, loads, zone conditions, comfort, and overheating heat maps, then export the results to Excel and take the IDF into PareVia.
The inputs a detailed energy model needs, in one interface
Geometry and zoning
Perimeter and core zoning, zone subdivision, freely drawn plans, and multi-level buildings where each level can have its own plan and use. Building types include Villa / Single Detached House.
Layer-by-layer envelope
Light, Medium, and Heavy thermal mass options with real layered constructions, layered glazing assemblies, doors, and a 3D view of the construction layers.
HVAC and hot water
Seven HVAC system types generated through EnergyPlus HVACTemplate objects, plus domestic hot water.
Natural ventilation
Two modelling levels: a simple scheduled air change rate, or the full EnergyPlus Airflow Network.
Flexible schedules
Annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly patterns, with file import and export and a template for generating schedule files with an AI assistant.
Comfort and overheating
PMV / PPD and overheating hours by static threshold, ASHRAE 55 adaptive, EN 16798-1 adaptive, and PMV / PPD criteria, shown per zone with heat maps.
Validation and testing report
EnergyFront V3.5 was tested with 16 building envelope cases of ASHRAE Standard 140-2020 (600 to 650, 900 to 950 and the free-floating cases), HVAC BESTEST, Furnace BESTEST and 47 EnergyPlus 9.4 example files. In all 48 Standard 140 comparisons it reproduced the reference EnergyPlus models within 0.02 % for heating and cooling loads and 0.00 K for free-floating temperatures. The report lists the method, all results, the known limitations and the tests still to be done. It is a technical record, not a certification or approval by ASHRAE or any authority.
EnergyFront comes first
EnergyFront builds and simulates the EnergyPlus model. PareVia then optimizes the design across energy, embodied carbon, and cost, and EPCalibration calibrates a model against measured data. EnergyFront is a separate product and does not require PareVia.
Windows 10 / 11 installer. By downloading, you agree to the Licence Agreement, which includes the tested scope and known limitations set out in the EnergyFront Validation and Testing Report (Section 9.5). You remain responsible for checking all results before relying on them.
Windows 10 / 11
V3.5 from $50/month