本文描述了一个简化的计算机软件程序，用于评估各种运行条件下热水器的能耗和运行成本（EPRI 1996）。热水器包括电阻式热水器、热泵热水器和化石燃料热水器。开发该软件工具是为了满足在各种条件下对特定应用的能耗和运行成本进行估算的简单方法的需要。全国各地的公用事业费率和运行条件差别很大。 此外，热水使用的总体效率与美国能源部（U.S.DOE）能源系数评级（FR 1990）中假设的64.3 gpd数据有很大不同。使用基于全国平均条件的能源系数进行决策是不恰当的，可能会导致糟糕的决策。使用该软件，用户可以在特定应用的特定条件和参数下快速估算能耗和成本，以代替全国平均值。 该软件提供了一个简单、直观的图形用户界面，显示用于评估的单个案例，以及一个用于比较多个案例的表格视图。能量系数额定值用作输入，以简化描述储罐热损失特性所需的用户输入。详细的帮助系统提供了广泛的参考，包括背景信息和所有输入的典型值。其结果是，大多数用户无需培训或依赖用户手册即可立即使用该程序。 功能包括能够保存以前评估案例的库，以图形和表格形式打印输出，以及将结果导出到电子表格和文字处理程序文档。典型应用包括估算特定当地条件下的效率和运营成本数字，以代替能源指南标签上显示的全国平均值；评估替代热水器的选择；设计和评估公用事业项目；为制造商产品文献创建单元性能表。 目前发布的软件版本根据固定的操作条件进行计算。目前正在开发的更高版本将能够评估运行条件和参数的周期性变化，例如季节性公用事业费率或冷水进口温度的月度变化。单位:I-PCITION:研讨会，ASHRAE交易，第105卷，pt。1.

This paper describes a simplified computer software program for evaluating energy consumption and operating costs for water heaters under a variety of operating conditions (EPRI 1996). Water heaters addressed include resistance units, heat pump water heaters, and fossil-fired options. The software tool was developed to meet the need for a simple means of estimating energy consumption and operating cost at various conditions for specific applications. Utility rates and operating conditions vary greatly throughout the country. In addition, overall efficiency is quite different for hot water usage that differs significantly from the 64.3 gpd figure assumed in the U. S. Department of Energy (U.S.DOE) energy factor rating (FR 1990). The use of energy factor based on nationwide average conditions for decision making is inappropriate and can result in poor decisions. With the software, users can quickly estimate energy consumption and cost at the conditions and parameters specific to a particular application to be used in lieu of nationwide average values. The software offers both a simple, intuitive graphical user interface that presents single cases for evaluation and a table view for comparison of several cases. Energy factor rating is used as an input to simplify the user inputs required to describe tank heat loss characteristics. A detailed help system provides an extensive reference that includes background information and typical values for all inputs. The result is a program that can be used immediately by most users without training or reliance on the user's manual. Features include the ability to save libraries of previous evaluation cases, printed output in graphical and tabular form, and exporting of results to spreadsheets and word processor documents. Typical applications includeestimating efficiency and operating cost figures for specific local conditions for use in lieu of nationwide averages presented on energy guide labels;evaluating alternative water heater choices;designing and evaluating utility programs;creating tables of unit performance for manufacturer product literature.The currently released version of the software makes calculations based on fixed operating conditions. A later version, now under development, will provide the capability to evaluate periodic changes in operating conditions and parameters, such as seasonal utility rates or monthly changes in cold water inlet temperature.Units: I-P