I can give you only my perspective on this topic and my opinion. Their was once a software that would plan, calculate, simulate and document projects back in the early 2010's and some time before that. It is now part of a few takeovers and gone from existence. For example the power during the design phase is what I can speak to in this example. If you have every available solar inverter and solar panel in a database with all the needed data to calculate and simulate you could do something like ask it, what is the best combination of these products, given this location, this exact design in 3D BIM and orientation to the sun. Today I use popular AEC programs to do similar things with buildings. Build from solid mass to detailed drawings always checking against the base. It can only help you to better your designs. For me, as long as I am happy with the design intent, it preforms as intended and you can explain why if not. That is all you can ask. So many factors to design around including client needs and wants. This just helps to guide you in the right direction. For specific wall assembly calculations, these tools are not intended for that. Hire a professional, not an "energy modeler".
Love the show. Great topic.
I can give you only my perspective on this topic and my opinion. Their was once a software that would plan, calculate, simulate and document projects back in the early 2010's and some time before that. It is now part of a few takeovers and gone from existence. For example the power during the design phase is what I can speak to in this example. If you have every available solar inverter and solar panel in a database with all the needed data to calculate and simulate you could do something like ask it, what is the best combination of these products, given this location, this exact design in 3D BIM and orientation to the sun. Today I use popular AEC programs to do similar things with buildings. Build from solid mass to detailed drawings always checking against the base. It can only help you to better your designs. For me, as long as I am happy with the design intent, it preforms as intended and you can explain why if not. That is all you can ask. So many factors to design around including client needs and wants. This just helps to guide you in the right direction. For specific wall assembly calculations, these tools are not intended for that. Hire a professional, not an "energy modeler".
Peter, who is your ideal client for consulting?