October 1st, 2004
Dear Elite Software Customer,
We're celebrating our 25th Aniversary bringing out many interesting
new developments. Click on any topic below to jump straight to the topic
of most interest to you.
Be sure to check our web site at
www.elitesoft.com for even more
details. If you have questions, please feel free to call us at
800-648-9523
Sincerely,
Bill Smith
President
Rhvac Update with New MJ8
Addendas and Software Links
ACCA has been continuously improving the MJ8 calculation
procedures with four new addenda, A thru D, that have been released over the
past few months. As of the time of this writing (10/01/2004),
Rhvac is the only load calculation software available
that includes all four addenda. A summary of what the
addenda addressed is shown below. Complete details on the addenda can be
seen on this ACCA web page.
Addendum A: This is a "Do's and
Don'ts" list on how to use MJ8 procedures. The Rhvac Help window now
includes the list of from this addendum.
Addendum B: This implememts
an Hourly Fenestration Gain (HFG) procedure for room level loads whenever
you have rooms in multiple zones within the same system. System
Concept Warnings were also included whenever a system has "excursion" as a
result of not having adequate exposure diversity.
Addendum C: Gives you much more control over
duct loads and has an easier to understand and more flexible set of
inputs.
Addendum D: Provides more options to let you
define the envelope construction tightness when determining infiltration. Also
provides a more accurate methodology of accounting for the effect of
fireplaces on infiltration.
New Link to REM/Rate: Many of you in
the home energy rating business use a program called REM/Rate. Click on
this link for details on this program. Rhvac can
now export project data for immediate use in REM/Rate.
New Link to ResCheck: Many states
require the use of a Department of Energy program called ResCheck.
Click on this
link for details. This program requires input
data similar to Rhvac. To speed the process, Rhvac can now export project
data for immediate use in ResCheck.
Current users of Rhvac version 8 can obtain a
free update by downloading the Rhvac update from this web
page. Rhvac 8 users can also obtain a new CDROM for $25 plus
shipping.The update cost for Rhvac6 users is $149 plus shipping. Call
800-648-9523 to order or go online to our order
page to place your order.
AutoCAD Links to
Ductsize, Fire, S-Pipe, and D-Pipe
AutoDesk, the makers of the popular AutoCAD drafting software has released
a new package called AutoDesk Building Systems 2005 (ABS). The ABS package
provides architectural drawing features along with the ability to draw hvac,
plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems. AutoDesk is offering various
priced upgrades to people who already own different combinations of AutoCAD,
Archictural Desktop and other existing packages. See
the
following webpage for more details on the ABS package.
From scratch, ABS typiclly has a street price around
$5,500. Depending upon what AutoDesk products you already own, an
upgrade to ABS (called a cross-grade by AutoDesk) could be as low as
$1,000.
Besides advanced drawing capabilities, a major benefit of ABS is that it
provides links to four of Elite Software's programs: Ductsize, Fire, S-Pipe, and
D-Pipe. Each of these Elite programs can receive data from a drawing done
with ABS, perform calculations, send appropriate sizing data back to the
drawing.
Only the Static Regain version of Ductsize and the1,000 sprinkler capacity
version of FIRE have this new link capability. Existing users of those
programs can obtain a free update by downloading an update file from
www.elitesoft.com Those of you who don't own
those programs but would like to investigate further should download demos of
those programs from Elite's web site and also contact your local AutoCAD dealer
to receive a demonstration of ABS 2005.
New Chvac7 Release
Incorporates RTS
Elite Software is pleased to announce the release of Chvac7 for
commercial hvac load calculations which incorporates the new ASHRAE Radiant Time Series (RTS)
calculation method along with retaining the CLTD method for use of
comparisons. The new, sophisticated RTS method provides numerous
improvements over previous calculation procedures such as TETD, CLTD, and TFM
methods.
The primary benefit of the RTS method is improved accuracy because it
factors in the delayed effect of both radiant and conduction heat
gains. In addition, RTS offers greater sensitivities to material
properties as new inputs are provided for absorptance, emittance, and other
factors known as Delta R and h (outside). These new inputs allow the
designer to account for subtle changes in roof and wall sections that can
significantly affect cooling loads.
Even glass has additional new inputs to allow for greater sensitivity in
the RTS calculations. Rather than just using one average SHGC (solar heat
gain coefficient) for load calculations, the RTS method allows for varying SHGC
values at different solar angles.
The new Chvac7 release contains many more new features beyond just adding
the RTS calculation procedures. For a complete list of the new features
please visit
our
newsroom. Current users of Chvac version 6 can upgrade to Chvac7 for
only $149 plus shipping. Call
800-648-9523 to order or go
online at
our order
page to place your order.
For those of you who might like to test the update before buying it, you
should download and install the Chvac7 functional demo. It will coexist
with a full version Chvac6 installation with no interference. If you
like how the Chvac7 demo works, you can place your order to have it
unlocked into the full version.
Article on RTS in ASHRAE Journal - January 2004
Issue
Steve Bruning wrote a comprehensive article entitled, "
A New Way to
Calculate Cooling Loads," that appeared on page 20 in the January 2004 issue
of the ASHRAE Journal. This article gives a comprehensive explanation of
the principles and methods used in the RTS procedures. This article can
also be downloaded for a small fee
from
this ASHRAE web site link.
New Program - Electrical Tools
just $249
Electrical Tools (E-Tools) is a new program that provides 14
common electrical calculation and data look-up tasks. These tasks include
wire sizing, conduit sizing, motor equipment sizing, panel sizing, lighting
requirements (in metric or English units), current to power conversion, Ohm's
Law calculator, capacitor sizing for power factor correction, voltage drop,
short circuit, and the quick look-up of many electrical formulas and conversion
factors. Results are instantly displayed on the screen as data is entered.
See more details and download a functional demo at the
E-tools
description web page.
HSYM Hydraulic Only Analysis Version just
$495
Hsym is a program for modeling chilled and hot water hvac piping
systems. The full version of Hsym for $995 performs both a hydraulic
analysis with flows, velocities, and pressures, and a thermal analysis such that
all entering and leaving water and air temperatures are calculated. It is
this thermal analysis capability that sets Hsym apart from all its
competitors.
However, the thermal analysis also requires many additional inputs that
designers sometimes do not want to deal with if they are interested in just
a hydraulic analysis to see if desired flow rates can be achieved with
the given pipe and pump sizes. A hydraulic only analysis is much easier
for a program to solve, so that is why it only costs $495.
The hydraulic only analysis differs from the full analysis in that the goal
of the software is to achieve desired flow rates for the given pipe network and
flow control valves. In the full analysis version of Hsym, the primary
goal is to achieve the desired air temperatures with the given water
temperatures. Flow rates are adjusted to achieve the air temperature goal.
The full analysis version of Hsym thus performs both a hydraulic and thermal
analysis of a chilled/hot water piping system.
If the hydraulic only analysis version of Hsym is purchased for $495, the
full analysis version can be obtained at any later time by just paying the
difference in price of $500. See the
HSYM description
web page for more details and a functional demo of Hsym. Existing
Hsym users need a new .wef file to use the new release of HSYM, which can be
requested free of charge by e-mailing
sales@elitesoft.com
Three CAD Detail Packages
just $350 each
Hvac CAD Details, Plumbing CAD Details, and now the newest addition
Fire Protection CAD Details are a great addition to your drawing
library. These fully editable .dwg files that can be used with
virtually any CAD package. Unlike other CAD packages which have only
standard details, these details packages include standardized schedules,
notes and symbols. For a complete listing and sample detail drawings
of the newest release see the
Fire Protection
Details web page. See also the Plumbing CAD Details at
this web
page, and the HVAC Details packages at
this web
page.
Three companies located in different areas of the United States offer
training on Elite Software programs. The companies are listed
in alphabetical order below with the name of their main trainer and a
summary of their company's capabilities. Each of these companies will
travel if needed and some of them already have a schedule of training
seminars. See their respective web sites for details.
-
Energy Design Systems
Exton, PA
800-221-4822
Phil Jeffers and Drew Cameron have many years between them of providing
training on both hvac software and hvac sales techniques. Their
specialty is improving contractors' bottom lines by using Rhvac and Audit to
increase sales of high efficiency equipment. They are also proficient on
training with a number of other programs including Chvac, Drawing Board,
and Ductsize.
-
Training for the Trades (TftT)
Fort Wright, KY
John Walsh can train on Rhvac, Chvac, Ductsize, Drawing Board, Audit,
QuickBooks, and more. Besides onsite training, John can also provide low
cost training ($35 per hour) using the internet where his computer
is linked with your computer and he takes you through the software just as if
he were standing by your side. Full voice communication is supported and
you and John can take turns exercising the software. Any onsite
training provided by TftT for Rhvac, Chvac, and
Ductsize is recognized by NATE for credit towards continuing
education hours.
-
Calcs Plus
Venice, FL
941-488-3438
Dennis Stroer is an expert on all the requirements hvac contractors in
Florida must meet to install and replace hvac systems in that highly regulated
state. Software is needed to meet many of these requirements.
Dennis and his staff are especially knowledgeable on using Rhvac, Chvac,
Ductsize, Audit, and Drawing Board.
ASHRAE 2005 in Orlando, HVAC
Comfortech 2004 in St. Louis
Elite Software enjoyed exhibiting at the 2004 HVAC
Comfortech meeting in St. Louis, MO (home of the Gateway Arch) last
September. Who knew that we'd get to visit with so many of
our old friends and customers?
Elite Software is now looking forward to the
next ASHRAE meeting in Orlando, FL (home of Disneyworld), scheduled February
7-9, 2005. You can find more details about the show by clicking here.
We've always enjoyed visiting with old friends and are
looking forward to meeting new ones at the show, so please drop by our booth. We
appreciate all feedback from Elite users, as many great comments and ideas are
exchanged there.
If you aren't able to make it by our booth, and would like
information on our products, click here,
or if you would like to send us your comments and program suggestions, click
here. Bring the family and we'll see you in Orlando!
Elite Software will also be exhibiting at the 37th Annual ACCA meeting in
Austin, TX, March 9-12th, 2005. Come on down for a little Texas
hospitality!
Lots of Free Software
Updates
Numerous Elite Software programs have received incremental updates that
current users of the software can download for free from Elite's web site.
Programs that have received significant free corrections and enhancements
include Rhvac, Chvac, Refrig, Audit, Fire, and Quick Quote. Many other
programs have received small updates as well so please check your version
numbers against the current program versions numbers. You can check
version numbers and download free updates from
our program
updates webpage.