Simple software helps YOU, the hydronician

By Bob "Hot Rod" Rohr,

Radiant expert

I have two favorite hydronic specific software programs to share with you. I use one, and sometimes both of them, nearly on a daily basis.

Heat Load Pro is a quick, simple contractor-friendly load calculation program. It has some great features, which allow you to custom build wall assembly r-values, for example.  Included in the program are menu choices to include ICF insulated concrete forms, as well as sips structural insulated panels (also known a stressed skin panels) in your designs.  Or you can build your own wall assemblies right down to siding choices.

I really like the basement wall menu. It allows you to choose materials, insulation and the amount of wall that is exposed above grade.

It has a window menu option, or you can build your own and enter an r-value.

The door menu even has an overhead door choice. In this menu, you can select the door dimension, as well as the door material, with or without windows. This same “build your own” applies to roof, window and door assemblies.

The ceiling screen gives you plenty of choices, as well. You can explore vaulted or flat ceilings. You also can build your own insulation package and the program will calculate the r-value.

The floor menu has framed, slab-on-grade, basement and even suspended slab for choices.

This program doesn’t try to sell you any products, like tube or manifolds, etc. You end up with a nice, clean, colorful, easy-to-understand layout.  This can be used as a sales tool to show prospective customers your high level of expertise and professionalism. It is also a functional component of your system documentation.

It is always interesting to see how close the finished project compare to the original design.

The Heat Load Pro program contains a Heating Cost Estimator. In this module, you can compare various fuel choices. You can run the fuel gamut -- from natural gas to firewood. The program includes weather data from a number of cities in the United States and Canada. Or, you can enter the degree-day number for your location. This can be used as part of your sales presentation. Another good use for this program is when a customer is considering changing or adding an additional fuel source to their heating system. In some areas, off-peak residential electrical rates are being introduced. It may be advantageous to switch to an electric boiler if the rates work in your favor.

A well thought out Help function is also a click away on the menu bar.

This program is Windows-based, but I am currently running it on my new iMac with Parallels.  Heat Load Pro is an excellent program to have on your laptop for on-location design or trouble shooting. 

Perhaps my all-time favorite software is the HydroniCAD. This tool is an extremely easy-to-use, nicely designed program. 

In the HydroniCAD program, the Heat Sources palette has a collection of hydronic components including boilers, heat pumps water heaters and various indirect tank styles. HydroniCAD features:

• Drawing Tools function has a collection of colors, line size, arrows and a text box feature to label your drawings. It allows you to chose from an extensive color palette for your lines and components.
• Heat Emitters function includes baseboard, fan coils, panel radiators and radiant loops of various configurations.
• Valves provide everything from ball valves, motorized valves, circuit setters checks, and more.
• Miscellaneous includes circulators, air vents, expansion tanks, heat exchangers and gauges.
• Arrange funciton allows you to group assemblies, flip or rotate the deign, vary the zoom, and plenty more.

If you are computer challenged (like me), a few days of practice will get you up and producing some nice drawings. If you are familiar with cad, and good at fine mouse strokes and input, you will be a HydroniCAD pro in a few hours, I suspect.

If you are on my Christmas list this year (have you been naughty?), expect one of these in the mail.

Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been knee-deep in plumbing, heating and solar work since he was a kid. He has learned a lot of simple ways to install, repair and update hydronic systems. Check out his new, downloadable “Cool Tips from Hot Rod” at www.showmeradiant.com.