HVAC-Calc does it again

[hvac45]

Got a call Wed. night from a contractor we hadn't worked with before, he said he had a house Ready and had just heard of us, he asked if we would like to quote it, of course I said yes. He said he had 3 bids, all carrier, he said the lowest bidder bid 4 zones. I asked if it was 4 units or 4 zones he said they called it zones but it was 4 units. I asked for a set of plans, he said he only had one set left and they were on the job. So I grab the old laptop and head for Hilton Head Island. He walked in while I was heat calcing the house and asked what I was doing so I explained heat calc's. He informed me nobody else did one. The 3 companies that had bid the job were "Quote" the top companies in the area. So He tells me that the low bidder came in at 8 tons. Imagine that, the house is 4200 sq.ft. The calc came out to 64000 btu's. The house is spread out but the rooms are kind of clustered, lots of hallways. One area is a game room (43 x 21) He was shocked. The house has the best low e windows, R-38 in the attic, slab on grade. So I shot him a price on a 12 Seer 5 to Lennox R410A heat pump with 4 zones. Knowing what the competition bids I added a little to bring the bids closer, Turns out the other guys added some too, he was thrilled, added a a lennox filtering system, and a ductless for the garage. All this because of the heat calc. Thanks Don.

[Don Sleeth]

Congratulations hvac45! http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/images/icons/icon14.gif I'll be watching for my Bonus! :D

I do get that feedback often, doing a load calc with HVAC-Calc sells jobs! It is obvious from the number of home owners that post here saying that they can't get anyone to do a load calc that if you show up and do one, you get their business. You will get continued business also because your systems are sized properly.

I do remember when I was a contractor sometimes I would get rushed or lazy and start skipping the load calc. Soon after I would start losing sales, my closing rate would fall. Doing the load calc is a concrete way to indicate to the purchaser that you do superior work and therefore your higher prices are justified. It is a way that you can show them before they sign on the dotted line that you charge more because you do more.

If you don't find a way to set yourself apart and above the competition, you are just spinning your wheels, getting frustrated. HVAC-Calc, together with the right attitude, can make you piles of money and make your work more fun.

Sorry to ramble, however I get real excited when I see others doing what I preach :D It's a pretty simple formula for higher profits but I see so many contractors beating their brains out trying to sell cheaper than the next guy, it's sad. If you win on price, you lose.

don

[seatonheating]

Words of wisdom from long ago!!!


Been doing it like this for a long time.

[AP KING]

Heh, at first I read the system was 12 seer and just about fell out of my chair, but after seaton said "long ago" I noticed the post was 7 years old. lennox unit, ugh.. poor home owner.

Wrightsoft is what we use and I think it's a pretty good program. The area I work in doesn't have many contractors doing heat load calcs; which still surprises me, but it's a good thing for our business.

[AirTechMech]

If you win on price, you lose. don

Accurate, very accurate.

[smurphy]

Wow, I just ordered it yesterday and did my first cal last night. Very easy to use and the reports are very professional looking, Thanks Don.

[rogerk]

While the program does calculate the size of the A/C system needed for a house wont you still have to do a room by room load cal to determine the CFM and duct size needed for each room?

[Dowadudda]

HVAC45, is a good guy. I had the pleasure of talking to him a lot on the phone and got to be friends with him. I don't know where he is at these days. But he is a good guy.

[jimj]

While the program does calculate the size of the A/C system needed for a house wont you still have to do a room by room load cal to determine the CFM and duct size needed for each room?

Correct

[seatonheating]

While the program does calculate the size of the A/C system needed for a house wont you still have to do a room by room load cal to determine the CFM and duct size needed for each room?


Hvac-Calc does room by room. It's all I do.

[seatonheating]

HVAC45, is a good guy. I had the pleasure of talking to him a lot on the phone and got to be friends with him. I don't know where he is at these days. But he is a good guy.


If you don't mind me asking, how did that relationship come about 4D's?


Was this during the time you had your last business?

[rogerk]

Hvac-Calc does room by room. It's all I do.I watched the tutorials and I didnt see anything about calculating room CFM or duct sizing. Did I miss something? Say I need to know the CFM and duct size to take to a kitchen that has no exterior walls, your saying the HVAC-calc can figure this out for me?

Im looking to buy some load calc software and just want to make sure my money is well spent. I want 1 program that does it all, equipment sizing plus CFM calculations and duct size per room.

[energy star]

$ zones on one unit, lottsa duct supply trunks. Or, motorized dampers on each run? Is not the duct even intentionally more over-sized in a zoned system?

[rogerk]

Correct

Do you use software for your heat load calcs or hand written forms?

[jimj]

Do you use software for your heat load calcs or hand written forms?


Wrightsoft, I also have Right-J mobil for my Ipad, jury is still out on it.

[rogerk]

Wrightsoft, I also have Right-J mobil for my Ipad, jury is still out on it.

I think I recall a semianr offered on how to use the Wrightsoft. Do you think the seminar is a must to learn how to use Wrightsoft? Also, Im assuming the WS does do a room by room heat load calculation thus givng you CFM and duct sizes? TY

[jimj]

I think I recall a semianr offered on how to use the Wrightsoft. Do you think the seminar is a must to learn how to use Wrightsoft?

IMHO, yes. Wrightsoft has a large learning curve. A good knowledge of manual J,D, and S will make it much easier.

Also, Im assuming the WS does do a room by room heat load calculation thus givng you CFM and duct sizes?

With Wrightsoft your buying modules. If you have the J, Draw, and D modules your good to go ( I think). go here and check it out.

http://www.wrightsoft.com/products/right-suite_universal.aspx

[AP KING]

I watched the tutorials and I didnt see anything about calculating room CFM or duct sizing. Did I miss something? Say I need to know the CFM and duct size to take to a kitchen that has no exterior walls, your saying the HVAC-calc can figure this out for me?

Im looking to buy some load calc software and just want to make sure my money is well spent. I want 1 program that does it all, equipment sizing plus CFM calculations and duct size per room.

Wrightsoft will give you room cfm, duct size, and everything you're looking for. The register size you have to take the cfm, velocity, and static from WS and then cross reference it from shoemaker or whatever brand of register you're using to get the right size/throw. I'm not a pro at it and am still learning it, but a coworker of mine is a darn near genius at it. I'll see if I can get him to post something in here to give you some information on it.. he's been using it for 5 years now.

[Dowadudda]

If you don't mind me asking, how did that relationship come about 4D's?


Was this during the time you had your last business?

it was back when I was in business the first time yes. I dunno how it came about. I don't remember. It was a long time ago. He surfaced here about a year or two ago, and then he was out of touch again.

He was a nice guy to talk to. Always good on here and he new his stuff. He actually helped me out a few times with some procuring of some parts I needed he dealt with too. A nice guy.

[seatonheating]

I watched the tutorials and I didnt see anything about calculating room CFM or duct sizing. Did I miss something? Say I need to know the CFM and duct size to take to a kitchen that has no exterior walls, your saying the HVAC-calc can figure this out for me?

Im looking to buy some load calc software and just want to make sure my money is well spent. I want 1 program that does it all, equipment sizing plus CFM calculations and duct size per room.


BTU's will determine CFM, which HVAC-Calc will tell you. Ductsize will be based on your Manual D duct design.

No Manual J program knows it without drawing it up, then of course it's called Manual d.

[hvac45]

Hey Dow still around, just haven't been here forever, heatcalc from Don is the only way to go. inexpensive, easy to use, very accurate and great help if you need it. I have been using his program for about 10 years now. The program has never been wrong, I have, but always found what I did wrong after double checking entry's. I have worked with many different ones in the last 38 years. Mike.

[rogerk]

Hey Dow still around, just haven't been here forever, heatcalc from Don is the only way to go. inexpensive, easy to use, very accurate and great help if you need it. I have been using his program for about 10 years now. The program has never been wrong, I have, but always found what I did wrong after double checking entry's. I have worked with many different ones in the last 38 years. Mike.So after you use the hvac-calc how do you then determine each rooms CFM needed?

[seatonheating]

So after you use the hvac-calc how do you then determine each rooms CFM needed?


Room CFM = Blower CFM x Room Load/Manual J design load

Total CFM= load/1.1 x TD(temperature drop)


Straight from Manual D

[rogerk]

Room CFM = Blower CFM x Room Load/Manual J design load

Total CFM= load/1.1 x TD(temperature drop)


Straight from Manual D

Well thats my point, you still have to do a manual J load calc to get your CFM so I really dont see the purpose of buying HVAC-cal from a contractors standpoint. Now if a HO wants to know if they got the right size equipment installed then its great.

[seatonheating]

Well thats my point, you still have to do a manual J load calc to get your CFM so I really dont see the purpose of buying HVAC-cal from a contractors standpoint. Now if a HO wants to know if they got the right size equipment installed then its great.



Hvac-Calc is Manual J, are you dense or something??

Hvac-calc is a heat loss/gain program. What exactly is your question here?

[garya505]

Hvac-Calc is Manual J, are you dense or something??

Hvac-calc is a heat loss/gain program. What exactly is your question here?

There you go, demeaning people again. ::DD:

[seatonheating]

There you go, demeaning people again. ::DD:


Well, geez. He's making my mind go in circles.

[knave]

He's making my mind go in circles I do that too, all the time.
Seaton, why don't you please change that avatar? It's making me cold just looking @ it. And winter will be here soon enough!
Evan

[doc havoc]

Roger
Under the tools heading in the tool bar there is a cfm by room option you can click on to get your answer.

[seatonheating]

I do that too, all the time.
Seaton, why don't you please change that avatar? It's making me cold just looking @ it. And winter will be here soon enough!
Evan


Ha ha, no way. Jack's my boy.


He and I are very similar :).

[AP KING]

I want 1 program that does it all, equipment sizing plus CFM calculations and duct size per room.

Wrightsoft will do all that for you hands down, but you're looking at roughly 6k for the complete program that we use here.. it's well worth it. Like someone had said in this thread, it uses a few different modules or what not; that's why we bought a complete program.

[seatonheating]

Wrightsoft will do all that for you hands down, but you're looking at roughly 6k for the complete program that we use here.. it's well worth it. Like someone had said in this thread, it uses a few different modules or what not; that's why we bought a complete program.


6K? LOL!!


That's a joke of a price for them to charge for software, honestly.


I'm doing just fine with Hvac-Calc and my "long-hand" Manual D duct designs.

[energy star]

1400 seems to be all most need from Wrightsoft.

[jimj]

1400 seems to be all most need from Wrightsoft.


I agree.

[Dowadudda]

Hey Dow still around, just haven't been here forever, heatcalc from Don is the only way to go. inexpensive, easy to use, very accurate and great help if you need it. I have been using his program for about 10 years now. The program has never been wrong, I have, but always found what I did wrong after double checking entry's. I have worked with many different ones in the last 38 years. Mike.

Hey dude. What's shakin. How ya been?

[ga-hvac-tech]

Ha ha, no way. Jack's my boy.


He and I are very similar :).

Yeah, I kinda figured that a while back... :LOL:

I enjoyed the movie that scene is from, however I do not think I have much in common with Jack... Anger management was one of his better ones IMO.

[Tassajara]

I own both wrightsoft and hvac-load. Actually Hvac calc was the first software i bought. I purchased the comm and residential. Hvac was super easy to use which was great but the utility comapny in florida didnt accept it. In fact sometimes it was way off and if you double checked it manually doing the calcs you found it be off.

[rogerk]

Hvac-Calc is Manual J, are you dense or something??

Hvac-calc is a heat loss/gain program. What exactly is your question here?I dont know why Im wastimg my time even responding to you as I think your the biggest douche on this site but I will type real slow for you.

HVAC-cal does not offer a way to do a room by room load calculation so you will have no idea how much CFM to put in a bathroom, a kitchen, a closet, and that means you wont know what size duct to install.

Is it starting to sink in to your little brain yet? Wrightsoft is a full heat load calc software giving you all the CFM and duct sizing you will need to install the duct system. Im starting to wonder if you have even used HVAC-calc or for that matter even have a clue what Im talking about.

I think your better off in the B&M section crying about how you cant land a single job. Most douches cant. I bet your wifey brings home the moeny and wears the pants in your house. Aint no way a business owner has time for some gay ass golf tournement in the middle of summer like you were trying to organize.

Your posts annoy me, you annoy me, and I will put you on my ignore list. Later douche. Hope mamma gives you your allowance this week so you can go play golf tinkerbell. ::DD:

[rogerk]

Correct
Someone here knows what Im talking about. :yes: :yes: :CU:

[seatonheating]

I dont know why Im wastimg my time even responding to you as I think your the biggest douche on this site but I will type real slow for you.

HVAC-cal does not offer a way to do a room by room load calculation so you will have no idea how much CFM to put in a bathroom, a kitchen, a closet, and that means you wont know what size duct to install.

Is it starting to sink in to your little brain yet? Wrightsoft is a full heat load calc software giving you all the CFM and duct sizing you will need to install the duct system. Im starting to wonder if you have even used HVAC-calc or for that matter even have a clue what Im talking about.

I think your better off in the B&M section crying about how you cant land a single job. Most douches cant. I bet your wifey brings home the moeny and wears the pants in your house. Aint no way a business owner has time for some gay ass golf tournement in the middle of summer like you were trying to organize.

Your posts annoy me, you annoy me, and I will put you on my ignore list. Later douche. Hope mamma gives you your allowance this week so you can go play golf tinkerbell. ::DD:


What version do you have? Of course it does room by room. I do them every day!!


Keep calling me a douche, which you should be penalized by, by the way. You have no idea what you are talking about.


At least know about something before you talk about it since you've never owned it.

Guess I keep measuring each room and punching it into www.hvac-calc.com for no reason. What a dummy I must be.


FYI, I have designed the most perfectly sized and ducted systems here in the entire Seattle area, zoned, conventional, VAV, with the use of HVAC-calc and my customers sing me the praises constantly.

Do I need to send you some copies of my heat loads and some testimonials of my customers??

Just go away with your nonsense will ya?

[AP KING]

Seaton, I know 6k sounds crazy to you, but we bought all the bells and whistles so we can do everything with the program. Honestly, certain aspects of the program we don't use every day and probably could have gone without. The boss man wanted us to have all the tools at our disposal and made sure that if we were going to get something there wouldn't be any excuses as to why we couldn't do it properly... he forked over the dough and we got the most kick a$$ package around. Yes, there is a learning curve, but the quality and precision of the final product speaks for itself.

Don't get me wrong, seaton, I'm not saying your program can't do the job or is inadequate.

[seatonheating]

Seaton, I know 6k sounds crazy to you, but we bought all the bells and whistles so we can do everything with the program. Honestly, certain aspects of the program we don't use every day and probably could have gone without. The boss man wanted us to have all the tools at our disposal and made sure that if we were going to get something there wouldn't be any excuses as to why we couldn't do it properly... he forked over the dough and we got the most kick a$$ package around. Yes, there is a learning curve, but the quality and precision of the final product speaks for itself.

Don't get me wrong, seaton, I'm not saying your program can't do the job or is inadequate.

Rogerk thinks otherwise and I don't understand his animosity.

Oh well, we all can be clueless at times.

[heating_seattle]

I dont know why Im wastimg my time even responding to you as I think your the biggest douche on this site but I will type real slow for you.

HVAC-cal does not offer a way to do a room by room load calculation so you will have no idea how much CFM to put in a bathroom, a kitchen, a closet, and that means you wont know what size duct to install.

Is it starting to sink in to your little brain yet? Wrightsoft is a full heat load calc software giving you all the CFM and duct sizing you will need to install the duct system. Im starting to wonder if you have even used HVAC-calc or for that matter even have a clue what Im talking about.

I think your better off in the B&M section crying about how you cant land a single job. Most douches cant. I bet your wifey brings home the moeny and wears the pants in your house. Aint no way a business owner has time for some gay ass golf tournement in the middle of summer like you were trying to organize.

Your posts annoy me, you annoy me, and I will put you on my ignore list. Later douche. Hope mamma gives you your allowance this week so you can go play golf tinkerbell. ::DD:

I get an infraction for saying Jesus Christ and this A-hole can get away with this ignorant rant??? Whats going on here?

[rojacman]

Ha ha, no way. Jack's my boy.


He and I are very similar :).......can't tell you how many times iv'e seen that movie. the critics dissed him for the acting , saying he hammed it up too much....what a crock , that movie and Pet Sematary were my 2 favorite horror movies of all times......Jack:yes::eek::eek::eek2::eek2:

[mbhydro]

I am surprised that Don S has not checked in to say what his software can and can not do.

[garya505]

I am surprised that Don S has not checked in to say what his software can and can not do.

I'm sure HVAC-Calc does room-by-room because I did one on my house. Twice. :putergreet:

[doc havoc]

Yes, it does everything everybody has asked. Including but not limited to sensible/latent heat gain, cfm/room, room by room, duct size, forced air, hydronic and heat pump, mobile homes, stick built homes etc. I've been using it for 7 years now when we do the install in our carpentry program houses. Custom built (no spec homes) with HVAC installed under supervision of local contractor so we don't need contractors license, insurance etc. All of our contractors are required to submit a load calc and HVAC-Calc has always matched up with what the contractors have.

[jrbenny]

What do you do when the code requires the load calculation be performed to Manual J 8th edition such as IRC or other local jurisdictional authority?

HVAC-Calc is Manual J 7th edition and does not conform. It will not conform per Don Sleeth.

[seatonheating]

What do you do when the code requires the load calculation be performed to Manual J 8th edition such as IRC or other local jurisdictional authority?

HVAC-Calc is Manual J 7th edition and does not conform. It will not conform per Don Sleeth.


We don't have any such code here. That's why 99% of the contractors don't do load calcs. I know I keep repeating it, but they really do suck here. Wish I could do something about it.

[beenthere]

HVAC-cal does not offer a way to do a room by room load calculation so you will have no idea how much CFM to put in a bathroom, a kitchen, a closet, and that means you wont know what size duct to install

It does in deed have room by room load calc ability.