Rhvac v.10 Desktop (www.elitesoft.com) for Windows calculates peak heating and cooling loads (block and room by room) for residential buildings and some light commercial buildings in accordance with ACCA Manual J 8th edition V2 and duct sizes, system losses, and fan static pressure requirements in accordance with ACCA Manual D. Users can enter an entire duct system or individual ducts.
The software, which includes weather data for over 2,000 cities in the USA also has the ability to facilitate equipment selection and create sales proposals. Data can be entered manually or taken automatically from a floor plan drawn with Elite’s optional Drawing Board program (V2 only).
Features added to this latest version include consideration of three new rating values (SEER 2, EER2, and HSPF2 HVAC equipment inputs) to use when selecting equipment; the ability to allow overhang offset as a negative value when selecting windows with awnings; and the ability to export data to EnergyPro v.9, Elite’s energy analysis software (to which Rhvac v.9 can no longer export).
The new version includes metal wall selections to accommodate the light gauge steel framing with R-panel metal sheathing that barndominiums (a new trend in custom homes) now use.
The software also includes a “ShowFlow” property for MDD trunks that shows the CFM flow rate on every duct in a duct system, which some jurisdictions now require.
Rhvac Online is a web application formatted to run on all Internet devices like computers, tablets, and smart phones. It uses the same “fill-in-the-blank” data entry system as Rhvac v.10 and it gives users the ability to review, edit, and create projects from scratch.
It can perform all three code calculations as required for ACCA including Manual J (loads), D (duct sizing), and S (equipment selection). Heat Transfer Multipliers (HTM values) for all walls, windows, doors, and roofs listed in Manual J are looked up automatically and used as needed. The online and the desktop versions of Rhvac v.10 can import and export project files between them.
Pricing for each: Rhvac Desktop—one-time purchase or update fee; Rhvac Online—subscription.
Newforma Project Center Enterprise
Newforma Project Center Enterprise (www.newforma.com) is a construction Project Information Management software solution for architects, engineers, and construction companies that is designed to aid informed real-time collaboration from one central location. Taking advantage of Newforma’s Connectors, Project Center unifies project data, workflow processes, and email across multiple sources, from project start to completion. Connectors are available for Microsoft SharePoint, Outlook, Procore, Bluebeam, several Autodesk applications including BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Newforma Project Center facilitates efficient locating and organizing of emails, RFIs, drawings, submittals, markups, and other action and reporting items, affording a participant the ability to view all project emails regardless of who sent or received it; respond to submittals and RFIs from any contractor or subcontractor; and relate all project data no matter where it resides.
For example, Autodesk BIM 360 and the Autodesk Construction Cloud Connectors enable users to access, view, and share BIM 360 and ACC documents directly from Newforma and includes the ability to find items or keywords embedded within any file attachment.
The BIM 360 Connector automates the transfer or submittal and RFI information between Autodesk BIM 360 and Project Center.
The Autodesk Revit Connector allows teams to integrate workflows directly within the project’s models and bi-directionally sync sheets, specs, and elements.
The Bluebeam Connector enables efficient collaborative mark-up sessions, capturing all RFI and Submittal review comments in one document.
Newforma Search takes advantage of Project Center’s scanning, indexing, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) function to find any item embedded in a file attachment. It finds items across all project folders, files, and project documents for a single project or across multiple projects at the same time. Newforma Search also locates information across multiple applications and platforms including Autodesk BIM 360™, Bentley Project Wise™, Microsoft SharePoint Online™, Panzura, ™ Nasuni™, and more.
Pricing: annual subscription per user.
GoSite Pro/Plus/Complete
GoSite Pro/Plus/Complete (www.gosite.com, 858/295-7995) is an all in one cloud-based digital platform and mobile app solution for small businesses, including HVAC and plumbing contractors, to convert website visitors into customers and, if they become customers, have the ability to generate and send invoices and receive payments from SMS and email.
Companies can also set up automatic scheduling online, enabling customers, at any time, to book their services for a specific date and time. The software can send automatic booking updates, confirmations, and reminders.
In addition, the solution allows a company, through a single dashboard, to manage reviews posted on Facebook and Google and, with Plus and Complete, to also manage reviews on a the main business listing sites.
Complete adds power widgets (booking, online payments, web chat that syncs with all the other instant messaging tools, including Google, Facebook, SMS, and Thumbtack). Complete users can also create automatic responses for standard customer messages to deploy on Facebook, Google or other messaging platforms and set up scheduled and recurring invoices. .
Pricing: scaled per month subscriptions with options for discounted annual payments and customized number of users.
Patti Feldman writes articles and web content for trade magazines and manufacturers of building products. She can be reached at productpad@yahoo.com.