3D Load & Energy Calcs w/ Duct Design

Russ King joins us for a short podcast episode about using 3D load and energy calculations with duct design. Russ has developed the Kwik Model 3D software program with the help of his son, Connor.

Kwik Model 3D uses a video game platform to build a house out of boxes instead of a sketch. The software has evolved and been integrated into EnergyGauge to do load and energy calculations based on a house’s geometry. Kwik Model makes it easy and fun to create that geometry profile for a home, which makes building design and load calculation attractive to technicians. Software like Kwik Model may especially become popular as Generation Z steps into the workforce; we can expect the learning curve to be quite shallow for the digital generation.

The Manual J calculation uses the home’s characteristics in Kwik Model and does all of the mathematical calculations in EnergyGauge for an advanced load calculation. KwikModel then receives those calculations for each room. Then, you can draw the ductwork and use an auto-size function to get the proper duct size based on the calculations.

Energy simulations use several load calculations with advanced data to figure out what the energy usage will look like in a home with a certain set of load conditions.

Russ and Bryan also discuss:

Modeling quickly with Field Draw
How building materials impact load calculations and energy simulations
Energy simulations vs. load calculations
Upcoming events with Russ King
Kwik Model’s tech support
Using the Unity platform to develop software for many different industries

Learn more about the software and get your 30-day free trial at kwikmodel.com.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Check out our handy calculators HERE.

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Surge Protection Basics w/ DITEK

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Author:

Bryan Orr

Company: HVAC School

Position: Founder

Russ King

Company: Coded Energy, Inc

Position: Founder and CEO

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Our latest Podcast

HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Mike, a 20-year veteran from DITEK, a leading American manufacturer of surge protection devices based in Largo, Florida. The conversation begins with a brief discussion about recent hurricane impacts in the Tampa Bay area, where DITEK maintains its 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Mike shares how the company, despite facing challenging weather conditions, continued its operations and maintained its commitment to American manufacturing.

The bulk of the discussion centers around surge protection technology and its critical importance in protecting HVAC systems and other electronic equipment. Mike provides an excellent analogy, comparing surge protectors to pressure relief valves for electrical systems. He explains how Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) work as semiconductors that create low impedance paths to ground when voltage exceeds certain thresholds. The conversation delves into the evolution of MOV technology, particularly the development of thermally protected MOVs that provide enhanced safety features.

The episode also addresses common misconceptions about surge protection, particularly the belief that surge protectors are primarily for lightning protection. Mike explains that while lightning strikes are a concern, especially in areas like Florida, approximately 65% of surges actually originate from within facilities themselves, often from equipment cycling on and off or other power quality issues. He emphasizes the importance of proper installation, particularly regarding ground connections and lead lengths, noting that every six inches of wire length can add about 100 volts to the clamping voltage of the device.

Key Topics Covered:

DITEK’s history and commitment to American manufacturing
Basic principles of surge protection and how MOVs work
Evolution of MOV technology and thermal protection features
Difference between transient voltage and temporary overvoltage (TOV)
Importance of proper grounding and lead length in surge protection
Cascading surge protection strategy for comprehensive protection
UL testing standards and voltage protection ratings (VPR)
Common misconceptions about surge protection
Impact of aging electrical infrastructure on power quality
Importance of customer support and ethical business practices
Installation best practices for surge protection devices
Relationship between ground resistance and surge protector performance
Types of surge protective devices (SPD) and their classifications

Learn more about DITEK at https://www.diteksurgeprotection.com/.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.