TRNSYS User survey

The user survey was online from May 10 to June 15. The survey consisted of 10 questions involving "like-dislike" about some aspects of the program. Users were also asked for suggestions for improvements.

All respondents were entered in a drawing for a free TRNSYS upgrade and a free SimCad license. Sandy Klein selected the winners randomly during the Belgian TRNSYS users day. 

The winners are:

Survey Results

TRNSYS users seem to be rather satisfied about the program and the global appreciation seems to be positive in all cases. However, most users have pointed out some weaknesses and made some suggestions to keep the TRNSYS developers group busy for the next few years. The group thanks all the respondents for their encouraging words and suggestions.

Who replied?

• 60 persons from 23 countries
• 75% of the respondents use TRNSYS 15
• Average time using TRNSYS: 4.25 years (ranging from 3 months to 25 years)
• 60% come from research institutes, 40% from private companies

What do users simulate with TRNSYS?

• 80% do building simulation
• 50% simulate solar systems and HVAC systems

Main advantages of TRNSYS

• Flexibility
• Modularity
• Availability of source code
• Availability of a large component library

Main "dislikes"

• Complexity for new users
• Imperfect documentation
• Debugging aspects (unclear error messages), need for a FORTRAN compiler
• Does not use true SI units

IISiBat

• 60% of the respondents use IISiBat
• Users like the simplicity of creating new projects compared to deck file editing
• Some complexity remains in multiple links
• The use of new (user-created) types is also somewhat complex

Prebid / Type 56

• 75% of the respondents use Prebid
• They like the simplicity introduced by this interface
• Some details were mentioned in the "dislike" category.

SimCad

• 15% of the respondents use SimCad
• All users like the idea of SimCad and stress the need for a software in this "niche"
• SimCad is not always easy to use. In particular, the "import from DXF files" function needs some improvement.

TRNSED

• 25% of the respondents use TRNSED
• The concept of this software is unanimously appreciated
• Some restrictions (e.g. the availability of only one window) and the bad documentation are criticized

Manuals

• The comprehensiveness of manuals is appreciated
• Some consistency problems are pointed out in version 15
• The "getting started" section and the examples could be improved
• Most of the users ask for an online version of the manuals
• 75% of the respondents still would like a printed version of the manuals

Support / courses

• Support from the developers and the distributors is generally very good, although some users would like faster and more precise answers
• The TRNSYS mailing list is also appreciated
• TRNSYS courses are appreciated by all respondents
• More frequent courses in different world regions are requested

Finally, the main suggestions for improvement are:

• Improve documentation
• Improve the simplicity of the visual interface concerning links between components
• Provide easier-to-understand error messages
• Make it easier to change units or use SI units at all times
• Add new standard types (mainly HVAC components and controllers)