Defaults
All inputs in the HES tool have an initial default value, which can be either static (i.e. the same for all houses), or dependent (either read in from a database or calculated based on the value of other inputs). Since all inputs have default values users are able to choose whether or not to answer each question and ensures that no information that would hinder a successful energy use calculation is missing. The default values are based on U. S. DOE's Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) micro data. Because the coverage of RECS changes from survey to survey data from more than one survey year are used.
Default values are summarized in the tables below.
Location (general information, house shape and size, and exterior shading)
Structure (air tightness, foundation & floor, walls, doors & windows, skylights, and attic & roof)
Systems (ducts & pipes, thermostat, heating, cooling, water heating)
Large Appliances (refrigerators & freezers, cooking & dish washing, laundry, hot tubs, spas, and pumps)
Small Appliances (entertainment, home office, miscellaneous kitchen, and other)