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Introduction 

FenestraPro is a facade design tool that identifies optimization strategies to lower overall energy use, mitigate project cost and increase building resiliency. Used in BIM workflows, FenestraPro provides data calculations in real-time that allow architects, designers, and BIM managers to understand the impact of their design decisions in early stages, rather than relying on sustainability consultants. The latest release of FenestraPro Version 6.2 provides users with two new features that add more precision and data when calculating shading and automatically generate optimized results to meet the project energy codes.

Existing users can download FenestraPro Version 6.2 for free as part of their current subscription. New users can begin a 30-day free trial to test how Energy Code Lookups can help automate their design workflow.    

Shading Optimization Tool 

The Shading Optimization Tool, now a feature of FenestraPro version 6.2, suggests the depth required for a shading device to achieve target heat gains for conceptual models. The shade canopy is then added to selected surfaces and the model updates automatically. The tool can also be used with Charts in FenestraPro, adding an Average Shading Depth value for each month. Users can select the range of months within the calculation and toggle between peak and average values.  

Energy Code Lookups 

Version 6.2 now includes an Energy Code Lookup that identifies the project site location and offers a shortlist of suggested codes with the appropriate prescriptive thermal performances required for roofs, floors, walls, and glazing, including the Window-To-Wall ratio prescribed under that code.

When selected, the thermal values of existing Revit model elements are compared with the code values to determine compliance. In the conceptual massing environment, energy codes are applied to your building envelope (including the assigned Window-To-Wall ratio) to see the immediate impact on daylight, heat gains, and overall thermal performance.

Conclusion 

Our new Shading Optimization Tool assists designers in achieving target heat gains, whereas Energy Code Lookups automatically optimize your model to meet local code compliance when selected.  

FenestraPro’s latest developments allow for more streamlined shading calculations and provide users with automatically generated values that meet local code compliance – essential for reporting to local stakeholders, collaborators, and clients.  

FenestraPro Version 6.2 is free to all existing users and can be downloaded here.  

Looking to try Energy Code Lookups on a project? Sign up for a 30-day free trial.  

Megan Doyle

Marketing Manager @FenestraPro. Passionate about SEO, saving our oceans, and architectural history.