The Top HVAC Design Software Programs: A Comprehensive Guide

The field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is constantly evolving, and HVAC design software is a crucial tool for engineers and contractors to stay ahead of the game. These software programs assist in the design, calculation, and simulation of HVAC systems, making the process more efficient and accurate. They can also be used for tasks such as load calculations, duct design, and equipment selection. With the use of HVAC design software, projects can be completed faster, with fewer errors, and at a lower cost. The software programs also allow for more detailed and precise designs which can lead to better energy efficiency, resulting in reduced energy costs.

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Furthuremore, HVAC Softwares are also used to create custom reports, visualize the design in 3D, and check for potential errors in the system. With the help of HVAC design software, engineers can improve the efficiency and accuracy of their HVAC projects and create cost-effective solutions.

There are many different types of HVAC design software available in the market, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Some of the most popular include:

Types of HVAC design software

  1. Load calculation software: These programs are used to calculate the heating and cooling loads of a building, taking into account factors such as insulation, window sizes, and orientation.
  2. Duct design software: These programs are used to design and optimize the ductwork of an HVAC system, including sizing, layout, and routing.
  3. Equipment selection software: These programs are used to select and specify the appropriate HVAC equipment for a project, including boilers, chillers, and air handling units.
  4. Energy analysis software: These programs are used to analyze the energy efficiency of an HVAC system, taking into account factors such as insulation, window sizes, and orientation, to help reduce the energy consumption of a building.
  5. Building management software: These programs are used to control and monitor the HVAC systems of a building, including temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
  6. Simulation software: These programs are used to simulate and test the performance of an HVAC system, taking into account factors such as climate, building envelope, and equipment.

Load calculation software

Name
Company
Abilities
Carrier HAP
Carrier
Load calculations, energy analysis, system sizing and selection, duct design, equipment selection, and building management
Trane TRACE
Trane
Load calculations, energy analysis, system sizing and selection, duct design, equipment selection, and building management
Elite Software Rhvac
Elite Software
Load calculations, energy analysis, system sizing and selection, duct design, and equipment selection
Wrightsoft Right-Suite Universal
Wrightsoft
Load calculations, energy analysis, system sizing and selection, duct design, equipment selection, and building management
EnergyPro
Energysoft
Load calculations, energy analysis, and equipment selection
HeatCAD
Cadsoft
Load calculations, energy analysis, and duct design
EQuest
Carrier
Load calculations, energy analysis, system sizing and selection, duct design, equipment selection, and building management
Design Master HVAC
Design Master Software
Load calculations, energy analysis, system sizing and selection, duct design, and equipment selection
IES Virtual Environment
Integrated Environmental Solutions
Load calculations, energy analysis, system sizing and selection, and building management
DDS-CAD HVAC
DDS-CAD
Load calculations, energy analysis, system sizing and selection, duct design, and equipment selection
Some Load calculation softwares

Duct design software

Name
Company
Abilities
FlexDuct
Carrier
Duct design, duct sizing, and pressure drop calculation
Ductsize
Carrier
Duct design, duct sizing, and pressure drop calculation
Sheet Metal Works
Carrier
Duct design, duct fabrication drawings, and material takeoff
Bluebeam Revu
Bluebeam
Duct design, takeoff, and documentation
AutoDuct
AutoDuct
Duct design, duct fabrication drawings, and material takeoff
ductDesigner
ductDesigner
Duct design, duct fabrication drawings, and material takeoff
Ductmate
Ductmate
Duct design, duct fabrication drawings, and material takeoff
Ductsize
Carrier
Duct design, duct sizing, and pressure drop calculation
Trace 700
Trane
Duct design, duct sizing, and pressure drop calculation
Duct Designer
Carrier
Duct design, duct fabrication drawings, and material takeoff
DuctCalc
Elite Software
Duct design, duct sizing, and pressure drop calculation
Some Duct design softwares

Equipment selection software

Name
Company
Abilities
Carrier HAP
Carrier
HVAC equipment selection and energy analysis
Trane TRACE
Trane
HVAC equipment selection and energy analysis
York YSC
York
HVAC equipment selection and energy analysis
Lennox Elite Software
Lennox
HVAC equipment selection and energy analysis
Mitsubishi Electric City Multi Selection Software
Mitsubishi Electric
HVAC equipment selection and VRF systems analysis
Daikin VRV Select
Daikin
HVAC equipment selection and VRF systems analysis
Bosch Design Assistant
Bosch
HVAC equipment selection and energy analysis
Fujitsu General Selection Tool
Fujitsu General
HVAC equipment selection and energy analysis
McQuay Envision
McQuay
HVAC equipment selection and energy analysis
Swegon CASA
Swegon
HVAC equipment selection and energy analysis
Some Equipment selection software

Energy analysis software

Name
Company
Abilities
eQuest
DOE-2.2
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
EnergyPlus
DOE
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
TRACE 700
Trane
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
IESVE
Integrated Environmental Solutions
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
Carrier HAP
Carrier
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
DesignBuilder
DesignBuilder
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
VIP
Carrier
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
TAS
Carrier
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
EnergyPro
EnergySoft
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
HEED
UC Berkeley
Building energy analysis, simulation, and code compliance
Some Energy analysis softwares

Building management software

Name
Company
Abilities
Tridium Niagara
Tridium
Building automation, control, and monitoring
Johnson Controls Metasys
Johnson Controls
Building automation, control, and monitoring
Siemens Desigo
Siemens
Building automation, control, and monitoring
Honeywell WEBs-AX
Honeywell
Building automation, control, and monitoring
Schneider Electric StruxureWare
Schneider Electric
Building automation, control, and monitoring
Delta Controls ECLYPSE
Delta Controls
Building automation, control, and monitoring
Crestron Fusion
Crestron
Building automation, control, and monitoring
BuildingIQ
BuildingIQ
Building automation, control, and monitoring
Automated Logic WebCTRL
Automated Logic
Building automation, control, and monitoring
KNX
KNX Association
Building automation, control, and monitoring
Some Building management softwares

Simulation software

Name
Company
Abilities
TRNSYS
TRNSYS
Building energy simulation and analysis
EnergyPlus
Department of Energy
Building energy simulation and analysis
eQuest
eQuest
Building energy simulation and analysis
IES VE
Integrated Environmental Solutions
Building energy simulation and analysis
DesignBuilder
DesignBuilder
Building energy simulation and analysis
HAP
Carrier
HVAC equipment simulation and analysis
Elite Software
Lennox
HVAC equipment simulation and analysis
VRV Select
Daikin
VRF systems simulation and analysis
McQuay Envision
McQuay
HVAC equipment simulation and analysis
Swegon CASA
Swegon
HVAC equipment simulation and analysis
Some Simulation softwares

Top HVAC design software programs

Carrier HAP (Hourly Analysis Program) is a software program developed by Carrier Corporation, a leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment. It is a comprehensive tool that allows engineers to perform detailed load calculations, equipment selection, and energy analysis for commercial and industrial buildings. Some of its key features include the ability to perform load calculations using the latest ASHRAE standards, the ability to select and size HVAC equipment, and the ability to perform energy analysis to determine the building’s energy efficiency.

Trane TRACE is another popular HVAC design software program. It is developed by Trane, another leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment. This software program is designed for use by engineers, architects, and building owners. It allows them to perform load calculations, energy analysis, and equipment selection for commercial and industrial buildings. Some of its key features include the ability to perform load calculations using the latest ASHRAE standards, the ability to select and size HVAC equipment, and the ability to perform energy analysis to determine the building’s energy efficiency.

EnergyPro is a software program developed by EnergySoft, a leading provider of building energy analysis software. It is designed for use by engineers, architects, and building owners. It allows them to perform load calculations, energy analysis, and equipment selection for commercial and industrial buildings. Some of its key features include the ability to perform load calculations using the latest ASHRAE standards, the ability to select and size HVAC equipment, and the ability to perform energy analysis to determine the building’s energy efficiency.

eQuest is a software program developed by the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. It is designed for use by engineers, architects, and building owners. It allows them to perform load calculations, energy analysis, and equipment selection for commercial and industrial buildings. Some of its key features include the ability to perform load calculations using the latest ASHRAE standards, the ability to select and size HVAC equipment, and the ability to perform energy analysis to determine the building’s energy efficiency.

EnergyPlus is a software program developed by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It is designed for use by engineers, architects, and building owners. It allows them to perform load calculations, energy analysis, and equipment selection for commercial and industrial buildings. Some of its key features include the ability to perform load calculations using the latest ASHRAE standards, the ability to select and size HVAC systems.

Conclusion

HVAC design software can be an invaluable tool for engineers and designers, as it allows them to accurately calculate loads, design duct systems, and analyze energy consumption. With a variety of software programs available, it’s important to carefully research and select the software that best meets the needs of a particular project. This post covers some of the top options available, including features, benefits, and limitations, but there are many other programs that may be better suited for different types of projects. Investing in the right HVAC design software can help professionals in the design, analysis, and management of HVAC systems, and may improve their work efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.