SoftPlan 2016 New Features: REScheck

9 Comments

1. HVAC calculations and layout will be required in my area soon in order to get a building permit for residential buildings. I working at a building center in a design department with 5-6 designers / architects. we also are starting to see a need for this addition to SoftPlan. You already have the wall types and insulation values to product a accurate heat loss calculation. We would greatly appreciate a HVAC design solution to be added to SoftPlan.

   Thanks.
   Justin Mendel (8 year user)

2. I would also love to see a HVAC design tool added. it seem to be the last piece to the SoftPlan puzzle. I’ve used SoftPlan for the last 8 years and it has come a long way. Here in Canada the energy codes are getting more strict. We are getting to the point where we soon will have to provide full duct design layouts and calculations. SoftPlan already has the wall type and u-values there, it just need to be fine tuned to provide a full hear loss/gain calculation. for there a mechanical system could be design.
   From reading the comments here and elsewhere on this site it seems like a good number of people are asking for this. I hope the good people of SoftPlan take this seriously and this increasingly important feature.

   • We do get the occasional request and each time we get the request we ask for a sample of what you are looking to do. Please send to suggestions@softplan.com so we can take a look.

3. I am a prospective user and evaluating SP. I was under the impression that SP did Electrical and Plumbing and HVAC (MEP), doesn’t it? If it doesn’t what are its limitations? If it does, does it use the latest International Codes for MEP?

   Signed… Concerned Prospective Buyer.

   • Electrical layouts are created in Electrical Mode in SoftPlan. We find that the HVAC drawings are typically created by the mechanical contractor. What kind of HVAC drawing are you looking to create?

     • I have been using Softplan since version 9
       have seen incredible advancements and glad to see the many request I made over the years be incorporated as well
       HVAC would be great, especially when designing chases, framed out ducts, registers, etc however – has potential but should be more thought out and discussed for perhaps next version

4. I second the HVAC design, we also do complete energy designs and HVAC would be a great addition. Happy User since 1994

   • What software do you currently use for your HVAC design?

5. Hi as always looking forward to next ver. I have supported Softplan by updating since ver 7 and they have always been better . I would like to see a full HVAC module as I am an HVAC designer as well as a home designer.