Heat Loss/Heat Gain Program

Constantin

I agree with Brad that Elite- and Wrightsoft offer more add-on options than HVAC-Calc. However, they come at a much higher price.

HVAC-Calc was written specifically for air-based systems. It'll do a Manual J (7th Ed.), determine duct sizes (though very primitively), and even some baseboard lengths (assuming 180°F hot loops, IIRC).

I found it an excellent tool to calculate heat gains and losses due to the intuitive interface, speed, etc. and the 2 month homeowner special is a pretty good deal for those of us who will not revise their project mid-way through.

You can read my first stab at a <a href="http://www.heatinghelp.com/living_book_story.cfm?id=2">HVAC-Calc Review</a> on this web site.

Nick W

Heat Loss/Heat Gain Program

Good Morning,
I am in the market for a new heat loss/heat gain program.I have checked out Elite and Wrightsoft.I would like to see a couple more.Any suggestions greatly appreciated.Thanks.
Joe P.

Brad White_9

I use Elite CHVAC

CHVAC and like it. In my office we use HAP (Carrier's "Hourly Analysis Program") which is as much of an energy tool with the load calculations being almost incidental.

I use CHVAC to check the HAP results when I have a doubt and CHVAC has found some items HAP did not consider.

I take it you are interested in Manual J based residential grade programs such as Elite's RHVAC. Of those I cannot help you.

There is another Manual J based program (I believe) called HVAC-Calc out of Canada. I checked that out before I bought CHVAC. I opted for Elite only because it was more suited to my needs (more options).

But the HVAC-Calc does what it does very well. Nice hierarchy where every window or door is "owned" by the wall it is in, every wall by the room it is in, and every room by the zone it is in, etc. This makes changes very easy to track.

My $0.02

Brad

jalcoplumb_2

Wrightsoft Zurn package.

I got a copy of the Zurn/Wrightsoft progtram from my Zurn distributor at no cost. I use a lot of Zurn Pex/radiant products. Then I added the Cooling & Right Duct package for a very reasonable price. Wright Draw is included in the Zurn package. I love it.


Just a thought.

I was using Burnhams package but it did not offer cooling.