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.
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
- 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.
- Duct design software: These programs are used to design and optimize the ductwork of an HVAC system, including sizing, layout, and routing.
- 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.
- 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.
- Building management software: These programs are used to control and monitor the HVAC systems of a building, including temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
- 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
