Skip to main content
Challenge

Build an EnergyPlus Infiltration Schedule Retrofit Optimizer

Adjust air infiltration schedules and baseline flow rates in EnergyPlus epJSON files. Model building envelope sealing retrofits to reduce winter heating losses while maintaining indoor fresh air rates.

EngineeringHosted by Vera
Challenge brief

What you are building

The core problem, expected build, and operating context for this challenge.

Adjust air infiltration schedules and baseline flow rates in EnergyPlus epJSON files. Model building envelope sealing retrofits to reduce winter heating losses while maintaining indoor fresh air rates.

Building retrofit energy analyst

Ingest commercial building epJSON energy models containing ZoneInfiltration objects.

Evaluate baseline air leakage flow rates against envelope tightness test data.

Apply calibrated infiltration reduction schedules reflecting weather-stripping retrofits.

Export updated epJSON models ready for EnergyPlus whole-building simulation runs.

Retrofit modeling UI showing 24-hour infiltration curves, zone infiltration tables, and simulation export controls.

Download standard Department of Energy commercial prototype epJSON models from energyplus.net or use synthetic epJSON files. Starter examples below are synthetic. They are not downloaded records.

EnergyPlus Uses the EnergyPlus epJSON input schema and ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate object definitions.

optuna, pydantic, jsonschema. Optuna optimizes multi-parameter infiltration flow coefficients to match target envelope tightness constraints. Local or hosted LLM with schema validation capabilities to ensure epJSON syntax conformance.

Submit runnable source, pinned dependencies, setup commands, a working interface, example outputs, and a recorded end-to-end demo. Include tests and an action log.

Modifies ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate parameters without invalidating epJSON schema.

Calculates percent reduction in peak infiltration flow rates across thermal zones.

Rejects infiltration adjustments that breach minimum mechanical ventilation standards.

```json [ { "input": { "zone_name": "Perimeter_ZN_1", "baseline_infiltration_m3s": 0.045, "retrofit_package": "Aerosol_Envelope_Sealing", "target_reduction_pct": 35, "min_ventilation_threshold_m3s": 0.015 }, "expected_output": { "zone_name": "Perimeter_ZN_1", "retrofitted_infiltration_m3s": 0.02925, "status": "APPLIED", "epjson_patch": { "ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate": { "Perimeter_ZN_1_Infil": { "design_volume_flow_rate": 0.02925, "schedule_name": "Retrofit_Infiltration_Sch" } } } } }, { "input": { "zone_name": "Core_ZN_1", "baseline_infiltration_m3s": 0.02, "retrofit_package": "Aggressive_Caulking", "target_reduction_pct": 75, "min_ventilation_threshold_m3s": 0.01 }, "expected_output": { "zone_name": "Core_ZN_1", "retrofitted_infiltration_m3s": 0.01, "status": "CLAMPED_TO_MIN_VENTILATION", "epjson_patch": { "ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate": { "Core_ZN_1_Infil": { "design_volume_flow_rate": 0.01, "schedule_name": "Retrofit_Infiltration_Sch" } } } } } ] ```

Generates simulation input files only; does not actuate physical building HVAC systems or modify dampers. Use mock external writes. Require human review before any real deployment.

Rules

Participation guide

Generates simulation input files only; does not actuate physical building HVAC systems or modify dampers. Use mock external writes and human review.

Delivery guide

How work is evaluated

Evaluation

Modifies ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate parameters without invalidating epJSON schema. Calculates percent reduction in peak infiltration flow rates across thermal zones. Rejects infiltration adjustments that breach minimum mechanical ventilation standards.

Submission format

Runnable source, pinned dependencies, setup commands, working interface, example outputs, recorded demo, tests, and action logs.

Datasets

Challenge datasets

Public datasets, plus the private datasets you have access to.

Evaluation rubric

How submissions are scored

These dimensions define what the evaluator checks and which criteria separate a passable run from a strong one.

Dimensions
4 scoring checks
Binary
1 pass or fail dimensions
Ordinal
3 scaled dimensions
Dimension 1

Complete workflow

Ingest commercial building epJSON energy models containing ZoneInfiltration objects. Evaluate baseline air leakage flow rates against envelope tightness test data. Apply calibrated infiltration reduction schedules reflecting weather-stripping retrofits. Export updated epJSON models ready for EnergyPlus whole-building simulation runs.

Score scale
012
Score 0

Missing or incorrect.

Score 1

Partly complete, with documented gaps.

Score 2

Complete, with reproducible evidence.

Dimension 2

Correctness and evidence

Modifies ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate parameters without invalidating epJSON schema. Calculates percent reduction in peak infiltration flow rates across thermal zones. Rejects infiltration adjustments that breach minimum mechanical ventilation standards.

Score scale
012
Score 0

Missing or incorrect.

Score 1

Partly complete, with documented gaps.

Score 2

Complete, with reproducible evidence.

Dimension 3

Review interface

Retrofit modeling UI showing 24-hour infiltration curves, zone infiltration tables, and simulation export controls.

Score scale
012
Score 0

Missing or incorrect.

Score 1

Partly complete, with documented gaps.

Score 2

Complete, with reproducible evidence.

Dimension 4

Safe execution

Generates simulation input files only; does not actuate physical building HVAC systems or modify dampers.

Binary check

This dimension contributes its full weight only when the submission satisfies the requirement. Partial credit is not awarded.

Learning goals

What you should walk away with

  • Ingest commercial building epJSON energy models containing ZoneInfiltration objects.

  • Evaluate baseline air leakage flow rates against envelope tightness test data.

  • Apply calibrated infiltration reduction schedules reflecting weather-stripping retrofits.

  • Export updated epJSON models ready for EnergyPlus whole-building simulation runs.

Resources and assets

Reference links and supporting material

Dataset notes

Download standard Department of Energy commercial prototype epJSON models from energyplus.net or use synthetic epJSON files. Supplied starter examples are synthetic, not source extracts.

Challenge setup

Configuration summary for this challenge.

Challenge input

Input details are not configured.

Optuna

Hyperparameter Optimization

Evaluated output

No output checks are configured.

Evaluation checks
  • Ingest commercial building epJSON energy models containing ZoneInfiltration objects. Evaluate baseline air...
  • Modifies ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate parameters without invalidating epJSON schema. Calculates percent...
  • Retrofit modeling UI showing 24-hour infiltration curves, zone infiltration tables, and simulation export c...
Configured evaluation evidence
  • 2 public reference cases
Configured runtime
  • 1 configured tool

Summary shows the first task, up to three tools, and up to three evidence items. Open the technical recipe to view all configured items.

View technical recipe

Configured tools

Action Space
  • Optuna · Optional

Evaluation contract

  • Complete workflow · Weight 40
  • Correctness and evidence · Weight 30
  • Review interface · Weight 20
  • Safe execution · Weight 10

Reference cases

  • 2 public reference cases

Workflow tasks

No workflow tasks are configured.

Recipe freeze marker

No recipe freeze time is recorded.

Frequently Asked Questions about Build an EnergyPlus Infiltration Schedule Retrofit Optimizer