FAQs - Energy Design Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EDS approved by ACCA?

No, our program is a sales tool for quickly assessing required equipment capacity and airflow.

Prior to selling the job, our software provides a quick, easy way to determine equipment size, required airflow, and if the ducts are adequate with a flow hood or ductulator. This will also help you build credibility by educating your customers while in the home. Most of our customers that require an ACCA stamped report use our software as a fast, inexpensive way to close more sales more quickly.

If you absolutely need to invest 60-90 minutes to perform ACCA Manual J, S or D calculations for the jobs you sell to get a permit or some other reason, then you could consider a standards design program such from Elite Software www.elitesoft.com.

Can I get a discount for referring users to your software?

Yes. You can earn rewards through our referral program.

 

How it works:

  1. Log in and go to Account → Refer A Friend.
  2. Send your referral link or invite by email.
  3. When your referral subscribes after their free trial, you get $15 credit toward future invoices, and they get $15 off their first invoice.

You can refer unlimited users. Restrictions apply — see our Referral Program Terms of Service for details at https://yourvirtualhvac.com/application/referral_tos

How can I add a tech as a user to my account?

To add additional users to an existing account, have the Primary Account user log in, select the ‘ACCOUNT’ dropdown at the top right, and then click ‘SUBSCRIPTIONS’. There, you can perform various administrative functions such as adding additional users, deleting users, and viewing activity and reports. You can also change their current email to a new email, effectively transferring the subscription, without incurring new charges.

Do I need to install software?

No. EDS runs in your web browser, so there’s no software to install or maintain.

Can EDS products work together?

Yes. EDS products are designed to complement one another, creating a seamless workflow from lead generation and home analysis to load calculations and professional sales presentations.

Which EDS product is right for my business?

Whether you need accurate load calculations, professional menu pricing, home energy audits, lead generation, or API integrations, EDS offers solutions designed to support every stage of the HVAC sales and service process.

Still Have Questions?

Chat with us below, or call 1.877.EDS.TECH – we’re happy to help!

What is LOAD CALCULATOR?

The residential Load Calculator is a web-based tool designed to assist HVAC contractors in quickly performing heat loss/heat gain load calculations to accurately size existing residential HVAC units that operate with optimized energy efficiency. It is intended to allow the contractor to make a quick assessment of the house load when replacing an existing system. Free trial options are available upon registration on the website. Visit the product website for current pricing information and detailed specifications about the Load Calculator.

Is it ACCA Manual J approved?

Not yet, however, approval will be sought soon. You need only perform a full-detailed load calculation if the job is sold and required by a local municipality. Few municipalities require an ACCA load. LOAD CALCULATOR is a consumer engagement and education tool designed to be user and consumer friendly and help close sales. Many local code enforcement officials will accept LOAD CALCULATOR as an approved equal. If you need an ACCA Manual J approved load calculation, we recommend RHVAC by Elite Software (elite.com).

Can I use it for commercial applications?

No. Commercial buildings have many design considerations not found in typical residential applications. Even houses converted to commercial use, fall into a commercial load category, which require more comprehensive calculations involving people, make-up air, lighting, appliances, occupation times, variable time-of-use loads, etc. that LOAD CALCULATOR purposefully is not designed to address. Please, reference ACCA Manual N for more information on commercial loads. If you need to perform a commercial load calculation, we recommend Elite Software (elite.com) programs – RHVAC for some light commercial applications and CHVAC for large commercial applications.

Can I use LOAD CALCULATOR for residential new construction?

EDS Load Calculator is designed for use with existing houses. The baseline information is retrieved from local tax records. Tax records do not exist until the house is completed and occupied. Also, room-by-room load calculations are necessary in new construction for duct design purposes.

What if I need to see load per room?

The EDS Load Calculator is designed to do block load calculations, but if you want to calculate for a specific conditioned space: 1. Simply enter the address as normal, then adjust the square footage, glass data, and other information to reflect the accurate measurements of the room you wish to perform a load for. 2. Verify and manually edit any relevant design conditions, and zero (0) any irrelevant conditions to get the most accurate results for that specific room.

Our calculator is built for speed, convenience and accuracy, which is accomplished with a block to determine for verify required equipment size and total heat loss/gain and airflow required to make the home comfortable. If you need to perform a room-by-room load calculation, we recommend RHVAC by Elite Software (elite.com).

 

Why does my load calculation have negative values?

Negative load values are often the result of an incorrect zip code or a zip code not yet in the database. Always double check the zip code entered. One use of the zip code is to retrieve location information and set the load design conditions. If the zip code is entered correctly, simply manually enter the design conditions. Also, email support@eds.tech with the information so LOAD CALCULATOR functionality can be improved.

What is the EDS HVAC Home Auditor?

The EDS HVAC Home Auditor is a cloud-based energy modeling and home performance software designed for HVAC contractors, home performance professionals, weatherization specialists, and energy auditors. It helps evaluate a home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and HVAC performance while generating professional reports for homeowners.

How is the Home Auditor different from the Load Calculator?

The Load Calculator determines the proper HVAC system size, while the Home Auditor performs a comprehensive energy assessment. It evaluates the home’s overall performance, identifies energy loss, and provides recommendations that improve comfort and efficiency.

How does the Home Auditor help increase sales?

By identifying hidden comfort and efficiency issues, the Home Auditor gives contractors objective data to educate homeowners, justify recommendations, and present complete solutions instead of simply replacing equipment.

Does the software generate homeowner reports?

Yes. The Home Auditor produces professional PDF reports that clearly explain energy usage, comfort issues, and recommended improvements, making it easier for homeowners to understand your recommendations.

Can I use the Home Auditor with other EDS products?

Yes. The Home Auditor works alongside the EDS Load Calculator and other EDS tools, creating a streamlined workflow from energy assessment through system design and sales presentation.

Does the Home Auditor help reduce callbacks?

Yes. By identifying root causes before recommending equipment, contractors can avoid many of the comfort and performance issues that often lead to callbacks after installation.

What is the lead generation tool?

The EDS Lead Generation Tool is an embeddable website tool that helps HVAC contractors engage visitors, educate homeowners, and capture qualified leads. Homeowners receive a personalized home energy report, while you receive their contact information and property details for follow-up.

The widget converts website visitors into qualified leads by providing immediate value through personalized energy assessments.

Can I export my leads?

Yes. Lead information and reports can be exported to many CRM and marketing platforms, including Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, and Salesforce.

How does the Lead Generation Tool work?

A homeowner enters their address and answers a few simple questions. The tool performs a simplified heat loss/heat gain and energy analysis, generates a branded report for the homeowner, and sends you the lead information automatically.

What does the homeowner receive?

Homeowners receive a professional, branded report with heat load and energy modeling insights based on the information they provided.

How does this generate better leads?

Instead of asking visitors to simply fill out a contact form, the tool provides valuable information first. This interactive experience encourages homeowners to engage, making them more likely to become qualified leads.

How does this help my HVAC business stand out?

Instead of offering another generic “Contact Us” form, you provide homeowners with valuable information about their home’s comfort and energy performance, helping establish trust before your first conversation.

What is EDS HVAC Menu Pricing?

EDS HVAC Menu Pricing is a sales tool that helps contractors create professional, easy-to-understand pricing menus for homeowners. It simplifies the sales process, improves communication, and helps technicians present multiple options with confidence.

Can I access Menu Pricing from anywhere?

Yes. Because EDS is cloud-based, you can access Menu Pricing from the office or the field anywhere you have an internet connection.

Can my entire sales team use the same pricing?

Yes. Menu Pricing standardizes your pricing across the organization so technicians and comfort advisors present consistent options every time.

Can I customize pricing for my business?

Yes. You can configure pricing to match your company’s products, services, labor rates, and profit goals, ensuring every proposal aligns with your business model.

Does Menu Pricing work with the EDS Load Calculator?

Yes. Menu Pricing is designed to work alongside the EDS Load Calculator, allowing contractors to move from accurate system sizing to professional pricing within the same workflow.

How does Menu Pricing help increase sales?

By presenting customers with clear repair or replacement options in an organized format, technicians can focus on educating rather than negotiating. This helps build trust and can improve close rates.

What is the EDS API?

The EDS API allows developers to integrate EDS tools and data directly into their own software, websites, CRMs, or business applications. It enables automated communication between EDS and third-party systems.

What can I integrate with the EDS API?

The API can be used to integrate EDS products, including load calculation workflows, lead generation, reports, customer information, and other supported data into your existing business systems.

Does the API support custom integrations?

Yes. Developers can build custom integrations that fit their company’s workflow, eliminating manual data entry and improving efficiency.

You can integrate your CRM with our Load Calculator via the Zapier feature. Zapier integration offers endless possibilities for users to streamline their energy design processes and enhance productivity significantly. You can explore integration possibilities at Zapier Integrations. There are many benefits to integrating your CRM platform with the EDS tool suite, such as automatically sending load information to your customers and leads via Zapier or triggering new loads to run via Zapier when you receive a new lead in your CRM. If you’re interested in integrating with Zapier, you can easily access it via your admin profile page.

Can I retrieve load calculation data through the API?

Yes. Supported API endpoints allow approved applications to exchange load calculation and related project data with EDS.

Who is the API designed for?

The API is intended for software developers, CRM providers, HVAC business management platforms, and contractors who need to connect EDS with their existing workflows.

How can I get access to your API documentation?

Integration with our system is available through Zapier. The Zapier integration offers endless possibilities for users to streamline their energy design processes and enhance productivity significantly. You can explore the integration possibilities at Zapier EDS Integrations. There are many benefits to integrating your CRM platform with the EDS tool suite, such as automatically sending load information to your customers and leads via Zapier, or triggering new loads to run via Zapier when you receive a new lead in your CRM. The Zapier integration can be accessed via profile settings. For detailed guidance, these tutorials demonstrate how to set up a Zap: – What Do You Get With Zapier and EDS? – Zapier Templates To Make Your Load Calculations Easier