The interface was designed so that a non-expert user can easily describe all the room parameters.
This very fluid interface is particularly suitable for sporadic use (no need to use the software every day to know how to use it).
However, the use of all the features (lighting and thermal) assumes that the user has a minimum educational background regarding building behavior.
DIAL+ is very adapted to the optimization stage of the design process.
Its speed and simplicity allow to realize very quickly parametric studies and compare the different variants of a given facade.
DIAL+ can thus be used either by engineers and architects.
It is also well suited for educational purposes.
The software includes an internal modeler that allows to describe all the required parameters of a given room.
For electric lighting, it is possible to import existing luminaires files (.ldt).
It also possible to import meteo-data from a given location.
The lighting module allows to produce reports that include the following results:
- Daylight factor values,
- Diffuse Daylighting Autonomy values (% and hours),
- Autonomy for Minergie-ECO,
- Illuminance values due to electric lighting,
- Annual lighting electricity consumption (SIA 380/4),
- Sunpath diagram including outdoor obstructions,
- Shading studies (sunshine factor, viewed sky fraction).
Intuitiveness, speed.
Ability to consider all the energy loads of a given room (e.g. lighting, heating, cooling & ventilation).