How to export results from IES using Python

This post looks at how to export results from the IES building simulation software using Python.

Why do this?

The results of an IES building simulation can be viewed in the software itself but for professional reports or academic publications it can be useful to export the data and use another tool such as Excel or Python to create figures and tables of the results.

What is this?

I have written a Python script which runs inside the IES software. When run, the following happens:

• The user is asked to select a IES results file (.aps) in the current project.
• The script exports all of the results data.
• The following data is saved as CSV files:
  • Weather results
  • Room-level results
  • Apache system results
  • Building-level results
  • Surface-level results
  • Opening-level results

Here is an example for the Small Office starter geometry building in IES. The Python script exports 85 individual CSV files.

How to access this Python script?

The script is saved in a file named "ExportResultsToCSV.py". It can be downloaded from GitHub here.

How to add the Python script into my IES installation?

• Download the Python script to a local folder
• In IES, use the menu options: Tools / VEScripts
• In the file explorer box (left hand box), right click then select "Add script folder" -> select the folder where the Python script is saved.

The Python script should now be visible and available to run.

For easy access, right click on the Python script file and select "Promote to Navigator".

Next steps

• For more information on using Python with IES, please see this post.
• View the IES technical documentation on its Python API here.
• Any issues please let me know. I will update the Python script file on GitHub as needed.
• Any requests for other Python scripts for IES? Please contact me.