Auto Code Minimum Model

This section explains how xStar’s auto code minimum model is generated.

Overview

When you start xStar you are given the option to create a code minimum model. Doing so creates a second design (the auto code minimum model) that shares the same geometry as your original model, but has a code minimum assembly assigned to each line item.

How Assemblies Are Assigned

In order to assign an appropriate code minimum assembly, the software attempts to identify each line item’s:

• Type (roof, wall, floor, foundation, etc.)

• Location (interior, exterior)

• Adjacent line items (e.g. two walls in the architectural model may correspond to a structural wall and rigid insulation layer, rather than 2 separate walls)

The software uses this information to assign a code minimum assembly that corresponds to the chosen energy code and thermal zone. If it can not find a good match, it will leave the code minimum assembly unassigned.

Always review automatically assigned assemblies. Sometimes there is insufficient data in the architectural model for the software to make a good guess for the code minimum assembly.