Guide

How to use EPW weather data for building design

Start by checking the location, data source and period represented by the file. Then review temperature, humidity, wind and solar patterns at hourly resolution before selecting a modelling approach.

A practical workflow

  1. Download an EPW file from an authoritative data source such as Climate.OneBuilding.org.
  2. Review annual and seasonal temperature, humidity, wind and solar patterns.
  3. Create a preliminary massing and solar-shadow study.
  4. Move to EnergyPlus only after zones, constructions, schedules and systems are sufficiently defined.
  5. Use CFD for focused wind and ventilation questions with explicit boundary conditions.
Open the EPW viewer