Develop HVAC baselines rDXHW using updated prototypes

[simularis]

This pull request is meant to develop additional baseline cases for SWHC044 and SWHC045 including hydronic heating with radiator or fan coil in multifamily buildings. This PR continues the work started in #14, but using the templatized residential prototypes (shared by TRC in sound-data#110).

• Test run TRC prototypes using HP Combi folder
• Create temporary measure folder "Radiator" to test run TRC prototypes
• Apply rDXHW/radiator (hot water no fan) baseline changes to new prototypes/templates. Commit changes to “dev-solaris-HVAC-rDXHW-v2”
  • New parameter sub_heat_type in template
  • New parameter sub_heat_type in prototype
  • Logic for sub_heat_type = BASEBOARD-WATER
  • Branches and Branch list
  • Radiator object
  • Test run and debug errors
• Apply rDXHW (hot water fan coil / hydronic air handler) setup. Commit changes to “dev-solaris-HVAC-rDXHW-v2”
  • Determine if hydronic air handler is available via prototypes/templates or needs new logic
  • heat_type parameter is defined as "HW" and leave the sub_heat_type parameter as blank
  • If needed, implement hot water fan coil (hydronic air handler) object
  • If needed, implement new parameter or parameter value to specify hot water fan coil
• Apply measure changes (SWHC045). Note that SWHC045 previous model lives in SWHC049 measure folder.
• Apply measure changes (SWHC044). Note that SWHC044 previous model lives in SWHC050 measure folder.
• Update 2025-10-16:
• The ZoneHVAC:Baseboard:Convective:Water equipment was assigned to the secondary_zone (bedrooms) in the model
  • Define sub_heat_name_sec = "#{secondary_zone} Baseboard"
  • Modify branch and branch list: The "sub_heat_name" and "sub_heat_name_sec" branches are connected in series.
  • Apply sequencing for the zone equipment, including baseboard convective for the secondary zones.
• QC: Branch logic inside IF clause for BASEBOARD-WATER
• QC: Object termination symbol needed when no secondary zone
• README file describe any workarounds required to reproduce results
• QC: Secondary zone baseboard inlet node name mismatch

Key assumptions

• Regarding gravity wall furnace modeling for SWHC044, the modeling philosophy was to assign infinite fan efficiency so that fan power is zero. We confirmed that EnergyPlus sets a maximum so that fan and motor efficiency <= 1 and used that input for the wall furnace (circa 2023). However, we could also get the desired result of zero fan power by setting the pressure to 0.
• Regarding the modeling setup of the gravity wall furnace, the fan total efficiency and motor efficiency are assumed to be 100%. Also, the AFUE of 67% has been considered for the burner efficiency, which is consistent with the Title 20 minimum efficiency requirements for gravity wall furnaces with input capacity greater than 46,000 Btu/h, as specified in Table E-2.
• Regarding window AC assumption for EER (EER=11), we considered the mid-range of 0-7,999 Btu/h for residential window AC to convert it to COPnfcooling of 3.72.

[simularis]

Note that commit e3ac7e8 includes only the changes to prototypes/templates files from Justin's original commit 3699fd7.

[nfette]

Please review and address outstanding comments.

[nfette]

Also, if subfolder "Radiator" is not needed, you can delete it.

[nfette]

Comments regarding secondary zone.

[nfette]

We should create README files and describe that the workaround for ** Severe ** invalid string position error message is to replace the relative path of the SCHEDULE:FILE with an absolute file path.

[behzadsalimian]

We should create README files and describe that the workaround for ** Severe ** invalid string position error message is to replace the relative path of the SCHEDULE:FILE with an absolute file path.

Added the README file for both SWHC044 and SWHC045
https://github.com/simularis/DEER-Prototypes-EnergyPlus/blob/0da5cd6fd956a37cacacbc793d45cbb5b3ee7d7d/residential%20measures/SWHC044%20Ductless%20HVAC%20Fuel%20Sub/README.txt

[nfette]

Radiator models are giving EnergyPlus error messages although simulations run.

   ************* Testing Individual Return Air Path Integrity
   ************* All Return Air Paths passed integrity testing
   ** Severe  ** Node Connection Error, Node="EL1 EAST PERIM ZN (G.E2) BASEBOARD HW INLET NODE", Inlet node did not find an appropriate matching "outlet" node.
   **   ~~~   ** If this is an outdoor air inlet node, it must be listed in an OutdoorAir:Node or OutdoorAir:NodeList object.
   **   ~~~   ** Reference Object=ZONEHVAC:BASEBOARD:CONVECTIVE:WATER, Name=EL1 EAST PERIM ZN (G.E2) BASEBOARD

[nfette]

Radiator models are giving EnergyPlus error messages although simulations run.

   ************* Testing Individual Return Air Path Integrity
   ************* All Return Air Paths passed integrity testing
   ** Severe  ** Node Connection Error, Node="EL1 EAST PERIM ZN (G.E2) BASEBOARD HW INLET NODE", Inlet node did not find an appropriate matching "outlet" node.
   **   ~~~   ** If this is an outdoor air inlet node, it must be listed in an OutdoorAir:Node or OutdoorAir:NodeList object.
   **   ~~~   ** Reference Object=ZONEHVAC:BASEBOARD:CONVECTIVE:WATER, Name=EL1 EAST PERIM ZN (G.E2) BASEBOARD

We addressed the node connection error.

[nfette]

Development checklist is complete and QC of warnings related to new features is done. Additional warnings are observed in model outputs but we are assuming that addressing all of these warnings is beyond the scope of the initial measure design. Some examples from residential measures\SWHC045 Heat Pump HVAC Fuel Sub with building/vintage MFm_Ex and climate zone CZ01:

RE-dxHW_equip-Boiler-AFUE82-Radiator-12.4-SEER2\instance-out.err

Program Version,EnergyPlus, Version 9.5.0-de239b2e5f, YMD=2025.10.18 20:31,
   ************* Beginning Zone Sizing Calculations
...
   ** Warning ** WindowShadingControl="SHADES-EL1-UNIT-G.E1", The first SetPoint is zero.
   **   ~~~   ** ..You may have forgotten to specify that setpoint.
...
   ** Warning ** CalculateZoneVolume: 4 zones are not fully enclosed. For more details use:  Output:Diagnostics,DisplayExtrawarnings; 
   ** Warning ** CheckUsedConstructions: There are 4 nominally unused constructions in input.
   **   ~~~   ** For explicit details on each unused construction, use Output:Diagnostics,DisplayExtraWarnings;
...
   ** Warning ** Calculated design cooling load for zone=EL1 EAST PERIM ZN (G.E2) is zero.
   **   ~~~   ** Check Sizing:Zone and ZoneControl:Thermostat inputs.
...
   ************* Beginning System Sizing Calculations
   ** Warning ** ManageSizing: Calculated Cooling Design Air Flow Rate for System=HVAC EL1 G_SSE1 is zero.
   **   ~~~   ** Check Sizing:Zone and ZoneControl:Thermostat inputs.
...
   ************* Beginning Plant Sizing Calculations
   ** Warning ** Check input. Pump nominal power or motor efficiency is set to 0, for pump=DHW EL1 G_SSE1 MAINS PRESSURE
...
   ************* Beginning Simulation
   ** Warning ** CalcNonDXHeatingCoils: Hot water coil control failed for AirLoopHVAC:Unitary:Furnace:HeatCool="HVAC EL2 G_WSW1 UNITARY SYSTEM"
   **   ~~~   **  Environment=ANNUAL, at Simulation time=01/01 13:12 - 13:18
   **   ~~~   **   Iteration limit [50] exceeded in calculating hot water mass flow rate
...
   ** Warning ** SimHVAC: Maximum iterations (20) exceeded for all HVAC loops, at ANNUAL, 02/04 02:50 - 02:51
   **   ~~~   ** The solution for zone HVAC equipment did not appear to converge
   **   ~~~   ** ...use Output:Diagnostics,DisplayExtraWarnings; to show more details on each max iteration exceeded.
   ** Warning ** GetCurrentScheduleValue: Schedule="SITE_MAINS_WATER_TEMP" is a Schedule:File
   **   ~~~   ** ...Use of Schedule:File when DaylightSavingTime is in effect is not recommended.
   **   ~~~   ** ...1) Remove RunperiodControl:DaylightSavingTime object or remove DST period from Weather File.
   **   ~~~   ** ...2) Configure other schedules and Schedule:File to account for occupant behavior during DST.
   **   ~~~   ** ...   If you have already done this, you can ignore this message.
   **   ~~~   ** ...When active, DaylightSavingTime will shift all scheduled items by one hour, retaining the same day type as the original.
   ************* Simulation Error Summary *************
   ************* There are 35 unused schedules in input.
   ************* There are 7 unused week schedules in input.
   ************* There are 7 unused day schedules in input.
   ************* Use Output:Diagnostics,DisplayUnusedSchedules; to see them.
   *************
   ************* ===== Recurring Error Summary =====
   ************* The following recurring error messages occurred.
   *************
   *************  ** Warning ** CalcNonDXHeatingCoils: Hot water coil control failed (iteration limit [50]) for AirLoopHVAC:Unitary:Furnace:HeatCool="HVAC EL2 G_WSW1 UNITARY SYSTEM
   *************  **   ~~~   **   This error occurred 362 total times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Warmup 0 times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Sizing 0 times.
   *************
   *************  ** Warning ** CalcNonDXHeatingCoils: Hot water coil control failed (iteration limit [50]) for AirLoopHVAC:Unitary:Furnace:HeatCool="HVAC EL1 G_E3 UNITARY SYSTEM
   *************  **   ~~~   **   This error occurred 2342 total times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Warmup 0 times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Sizing 0 times.
   *************
   *************  ** Warning ** CalcNonDXHeatingCoils: Hot water coil control failed (iteration limit [50]) for AirLoopHVAC:Unitary:Furnace:HeatCool="HVAC EL2 G_N9 UNITARY SYSTEM
   *************  **   ~~~   **   This error occurred 2830 total times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Warmup 0 times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Sizing 0 times.
   *************
   *************  ** Warning ** CalcNonDXHeatingCoils: Hot water coil control failed (iteration limit [50]) for AirLoopHVAC:Unitary:Furnace:HeatCool="HVAC EL1 G_W11 UNITARY SYSTEM
   *************  **   ~~~   **   This error occurred 974 total times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Warmup 0 times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Sizing 0 times.
   *************
   *************  ** Warning ** CalcNonDXHeatingCoils: Hot water coil control failed (iteration limit [50]) for AirLoopHVAC:Unitary:Furnace:HeatCool="HVAC EL1 G_W9 UNITARY SYSTEM
   *************  **   ~~~   **   This error occurred 756 total times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Warmup 0 times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Sizing 0 times.
   *************
   *************  ** Warning ** CalcNonDXHeatingCoils: Hot water coil control failed (iteration limit [50]) for AirLoopHVAC:Unitary:Furnace:HeatCool="HVAC EL2 G_S3 UNITARY SYSTEM
   *************  **   ~~~   **   This error occurred 576 total times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Warmup 0 times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Sizing 0 times.
   *************
   *************  ** Warning ** SimHVAC: Exceeding Maximum iterations for all HVAC loops, during ANNUAL continues
   *************  **   ~~~   **   This error occurred 420 total times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Warmup 0 times;
   *************  **   ~~~   **   during Sizing 0 times.
   *************
   *************
   ************* ===== Final Error Summary =====
   ************* The following error categories occurred.  Consider correcting or noting.
   ************* Nominally Unused Constructions
   ************* ..The nominally unused constructions warning is provided to alert you to potential conditions that can cause
   ************* ..extra time during simulation. Each construction is calculated by the algorithm indicated in the HeatBalanceAlgorithm
   ************* ..object. You may remove the constructions indicated (when you use the DisplayExtraWarnings option).
   *************
   ************* EnergyPlus Warmup Error Summary. During Warmup: 0 Warning; 0 Severe Errors.
   ************* EnergyPlus Sizing Error Summary. During Sizing: 134 Warning; 0 Severe Errors.
   ************* EnergyPlus Completed Successfully-- 8433 Warning; 0 Severe Errors; Elapsed Time=00hr 34min 54.16sec

[nfette]

Model setup QC is completed. Ready to merge this pull request and submit new PR to main branch.