Using Revit for all HVAC Calculations

[KGC]

Is anyone using Revit to Calculate ALL of their necessary HVAC information for selection of equipment?
Supply Air
Outdoor Air
Exhaust (ERV)

Just curious to see if anyone is still using ASHRAE spread sheets to calculate these values. I have started creating some schedules for zones and spaces and working on a template for getting initial supply/outdoor air values from an early architectural model. I am trying to remove the process of printing an architectural plan, handing that to an engineer. Then have him/her write the room names and numbers, areas, blah blah blah, and then create a spreadsheet which is then just handed back to the tech to input the info.

The process is working well so far, I am working with an engineer whom is on board with the idea, but just wondering how far we can take it. We are still going to use trane to confirm loads, but early selection of mechanical equipment should move along much smoother now.

[Jrobker]

We use a program called HVAC Solution. It will pick the equipment and than go out and find the families and than load them into our project. It's a pretty slick transition for the mean time.

[sredze514893]

KGC,

I know its been a while, since your post on this topic but have you successfully integrated the above workflow into your company's engineering procedures? Or perhaps to an acceptable level refined it to suit your needs today...if so would you be able to post an example of this workflow or how you would go about it. Thanks in advance.

[Jrobker]

Absolutely. We use this technique on every project we have done. We create the schematic with the program HVAC Solution. This program will size the pipe and select the equipment. Once we have the schematic complete, we have the software download the related RFA families and it will put them in a folder in the job directory. I than just go to the folder and drag and drop into revit. In revit there is a HVAC Solution add-in. This button allows us to import the schematics and the schedules that HVAC Solution has created. It creates a DXF file and imports them into individual drafting views. In speaking with the software company, they are currently working on applying shared parameter data to each piece of equipment. This way the schedules will be automatically populated in a revit schedule, rather than an imported dxf. HVAC_Solution.png

[wgfletch]

Absolutely. We use this technique on every project we have done. We create the schematic with the program HVAC Solution. This program will size the pipe and select the equipment. Once we have the schematic complete, we have the software download the related RFA families and it will put them in a folder in the job directory. I than just go to the folder and drag and drop into revit. In revit there is a HVAC Solution add-in. This button allows us to import the schematics and the schedules that HVAC Solution has created. It creates a DXF file and imports them into individual drafting views. In speaking with the software company, they are currently working on applying shared parameter data to each piece of equipment. This way the schedules will be automatically populated in a revit schedule, rather than an imported dxf. HVAC_Solution.png

Is that software still being supported?

there is hardly info on it and their site seems to have a bunch of dead ends

[Jrobker]

Yes, it is still being supported.
I know last week they had to update their security certificate and the web site was down for a little.

[moliva]

Jrobker, you haven't been around often...things must be going fairly smooth on the Revit side for you these days?

I was interested in this software in the past but like most other programs never got around to checking on its usefulness. Are you using generic equipment families or are you able to pull manufacturers families and still be able to map data to those (I assume yes)? As for schedules, do you have to have schedules built in Revit with all parameters etc. prior to mapping with HVAC Solution or does it generate from scratch?

thanks