COMFEN 4.0
(4.0.47 -- November 7, 2011)

Release Notes
Updated: 11/07/11

History of COMFEN 3.1 Releases

New Features

Glazed Wall Assembly
In addition to modeling individual windows, COMFEN now has the capability of modeling "Glazed Wall Assemblies" which allow you to specify the number of horizontal and vertical framing members, as well as their spacing, and the program automatically generates the facade. Click here for more details.

Material Library

COMFEN now has a Material Library, which can be used in the Wall Construction and Spandrel Libraries. See the User Manual for more details.

Wall Library

COMFEN now has a Wall Library which can be used to build up layers from the Material Library to define a wall. See the User Manual for more details.

Spandrel Library

COMFEN now has a Spandrel Library which can be used to build up layers from the Material Library to define a spandrel, including glass and glazing systems as the outer-most layers. See the User Manual for more details.

Radiance Renderings -- Automatic Generation of  BSDF Files
It is no longer necessary to generate WINDOW 6 BSDF files "by hand" for the Radiance renderings. COMFEN now automatically generates those when it creates the renderings.

CSV Import Additions
Shading Systems and Glazed Wall Assembly components have been added to the CSV Import file options. Click here for a detailed description of how to create and use the CSV Import file features. There are two different formats for CSV files:

Double Click Adds Records to Glazing System Library
In addition to dragging Glass and Gas layers to a Glazing System, double clicking on the desired record will cause it to be added to the end of the Glazing System Construction list.

Hourly Report Option
There is now an option for specifying a series of hourly reports to be generated. See the User Manual for more details.

Economizer Added
An economizer mode has been added to the default Packaged Single Zone HVAC system, and the Economizer controls can be set in the Scenario Edit screen, under the Environment section.

Program Changes

Hospital Building Type Removed
Because of the complicated HVAC modeling assumptions for the Hospital building type, we have removed it from the program for now. We will add it back in when we have resolved the modeling issues.

Energy Plus Version 6.0
COMFEN has been updated to be using version 6.0 of Energy Plus

Peak Demand Calculation
The Peak Demand Calculation is now based on the co-incident peak demand for gas and electricity separately. The displayed results are now side-by-side bars rather than stacked bars. The program now ALWAYS includes the equipment (plug load) energy consumption in the peak demand calculations (there is no longer an option in Preferences/Energy Plus to include it or not).

Glass Library Updated to IGDB 19.0
The Glass Library in this version of COMFEN has been updated to the IGDB version 19.0

Site-To-Source Multiplier Default Changed to 1.0
The default Site-To-Source Multiplier in Preferences / Energy Plus has been changed from 3.18 to 1.0, as many users wanted to see the actual Site energy consumption for electricity rather than source. If you want to use a value other than 1.0, change it in Preferences / Energy Plus.

Frame Modeling for Frame U-values < or = 6.2 Watts/m2-K (1.1 Btu/h-ft2-F)
Right now, COMFEN has a maximum Frame U-factor value of 1.1 Btu/h-ft2-F. This is because of limitations in the Energy Plus calculation engine for highly conductive frames. We are working with the Energy Plus Development Team to resolve this issue, but it may be several months before a fix will be implemented in the Energy Plus program.

Fixed Bugs

If you find bugs, or if you think these have not been fixed, please do not hesitate to send an email to RDMitchell@lbl.gov to report your findings. Getting feedback from users is how we improve the program.

Fixed in 4.0.47

GWA Input Screen Scrollbars
For low resolution monitors (such as on laptops) the Glazed Wall Assembly input screen now has scroll bars so that you can get to the Done and Cancel buttons at the bottom. This has been fixed in 4.0.47

Radiance BSDF Problem with Windows XP Operating System
There was a problem generating the BSDF files for Radiance on the Windowx XP operating system, which has been fixed with version 4.0.47

Fixed in 4.0.45

Daylight Illuminance Map
The dimensions of the room/zone now display correctly on the Comparison / Summary screen.

Scroll Bar Slider on Shading System Library
In the Project Browser Libraries tab (left side of the screen) the Scroll Bar slider did not work. This has been fixed.

Overhang or Fin Does Not Display
If the Overhang or Fin was outside the exterior facade wall, it would not be displayed. This has been fixed.

Corrected CSV Export Units
There were bugs associated with the units being displayed in the CSV Export files. This has been fixed.