I’ve been consistently delivering design work with Wrightsoft’s Rightsuite for over 15 years at this point. When I first learned to use the software, I learned using the Right-Draw drawing board module. So, I’ve actually NEVER done any design work using only the manual method. At this point, I can’t imagine trying to do so. I’m admittedly biased toward the drawing tool, which is why I’ve designed my Wrightsoft training programs around it’s use. All that said, here’s my take on why learning to use it is worth the effort.
What you’re probably telling yourself:
- It will take too long to learn how to use it.
- I’m concerned about not trusting the results during the learning curve.
- It seems like it might take longer to implement a project this way.
- I don’t think it’ll add value to my design/installation process.
- Changing the process I’m already comfortable with feels risky.
These are all valid concerns. I’ve heard them many times from contractors. You have a business to run, and there’s only so many hours in the day. Intentionally changing the way you do things has inherent risk. And, risk is something to be carefully evaluated.
It’s important to note that Wrightsoft can be used for various portions of the HVAC design process. Many contractors only use it to do load calculations: block-loads, room-by-room loads, and/or zone-loads. Some also use it to enter equipment capacity data to illustrate compliance with local codes and Manual-S requirements. Still others use it to design duct systems and use this as a construction drawing to guide their crews during installation.
Below, I’ve addressed both Load Calcs and Duct Design benefits. As you explore each section, give consideration to how the work-product and process supports:
- Helping you internally with your design process. By utilizing the drawing functionality of Wrightsoft’s Right-Draw module, your design process becomes more accurate and easier to execute. Improving accuracy is is the best bang-for-the-buck when it comes to reducing risk and limiting liability. Making it easy is, well…, easier.
- Helping to communicate design intent with others. If anyone besides you (your crew, your Client, your code official, your energy rater,…) needs to understand and/or have confidence in your load calculations, drawings go a long way.
The Top 10
Accuracy in Wrightsoft – Trace the Plan!
By utilizing a plan-drawing (either hand sketched or architectural), you’re able to trace the plan, reducing the likelihood that you’ll accidentally get a measurement wrong. Accidentally adding another digit to a number is a common typo. But, it’s a lot harder to mistakenly draw a room that’s off by a multiple of 10, as it’d be obvious when looking at the drawing.
In this image, you can see that the kitchen was drawn incorrectly, as it extends beyond the plan drawing that’s being traced. This is obvious to catch when using the Right-Draw tool.
Stacking Rooms in Wrightsoft
When stacking rooms on top of other rooms (2-story houses, rooms over garages, basements, etc.), you’ll need to consider the surface area between the two rooms if there’s a difference in design temperatures. When you stack rooms in Wrightsoft, the software automatically calculates the area for you. This makes it easy to catch mistakes and ensure accuracy prior to running the report and calling it complete. That little bump-out across the back of the house – it’ll automatically show up. The room over the garage – check. The wall between the house and the garage – yep. It’s there, too.
In the image shown here, the two red-arrows point to rooms on the LOWER level that stick out beyond the UPPER level. These will have “ceilings” that must be defined.
The blue arrow over on the left side shows an area of the UPPER level that is positioned over an unconditioned garage space. This area will have a floor system that must be defined.
Zone Layout in Wrightsoft Simplified
When laying out zones for systems, the ability to see the rooms while assigning them to specific zones is really helpful. Given that it’s often a challenge to route ducting to different areas of a building, I often find that reassigning rooms to different zones is needed. Seeing this graphically represented makes it easier to confirm design intent.
With the use of smaller systems like ducted minisplits, it’s not uncommon to have many zones within a home. As shown here, we have five separate systems within a single level of this larger project. Moving rooms from one zone to another is as easy as drag/drop to assess how it’ll affect the loads. This is extremely useful when trying to optimize indoor/outdoor combinations with multisplit units.
Buildings Evolve
Not all rooms are created equal. Some rooms are taller than others. Some have different envelope assembly details – flat roof here, sloped roof there – 2×6 wall here, 2×4 wall there. This is common in new construction. But, it’s also seen in existing buildings, typically related to addition/renovation work done over time. Since these details typically occur based on the geometry of the house, it’s helpful to visualize these construction-type transitions using the drawing as a reference. Example: The addition is all 2×6, while the original is 2×4. Seeing this graphically can help ensure you’ve assigned the correct wall types to the right rooms.
Updating Properties in Wrightsoft is Easy
Making updates to rooms after you’ve entered them into the software takes less time. If you’ve ever entered every room of the main level only to then realize you had the wrong wall assembly selected, you know how long it takes to update the file. In the drawing, you can easily select all or multiple rooms on a specific sheet and update their Properties with a few clicks. This goes for ALL Room Properties – envelope details, duct loads, room heights, etc. I often wait till the after I’ve drawn all the rooms to even bother assigning this data to them. This is helpful when you know that not all rooms will share the same detail. As mentioned above, I typically go back through the house, based on its geometry, and update Room Properties accordingly.
Structure Happens
Ductwork travels in three dimensions through the building assembly. There are beams, posts, sheer walls, and lots of other structural/architectural components that will drive the placement and routing of ductwork throughout the project. If you’re following ACCA’s Manual-D process, you’ll eventually need to draw out the duct system in order to calculate the effective length of the system. If you already have the load “drawn” into the software, it sets you up nicely to continue the design process within the software.
As seen here in a typical coastal California home, the ducting has a lot of steel and LVL’s through which it’ll need to navigate. Unless the designer is involved early in the process, you have to make-do with what you’re given and find the best solution to this three-dimensional puzzle. Tetris anyone?
Avoid Manual Calculations using Wrightsoft
Since you’d be drawing the ducts into the software, this means you’ll save a lot of time doing manual calculations on all of the duct runs. Since you specify the various fittings and duct materials for your drawn systems, the software does the heavy-lifting calculations to provide you with duct sizes and related velocities for each piece of ducting, making it really easy to tweak different sections and feel confident in the overall design.
Given the quantity of variables at play in determining duct sizes, it’s hard to beat having the software do this for you. Every time you make an alteration to a duct, the software automatically re-runs the calculations and updates the entire system. As long as you feel confident about your inputs and double check the results, the accuracy is extremely reliable.
Library Power within Wrightsoft
The various Libraries within Wrightsoft can make your work much more efficient. Do you always use the same fittings for all systems that are located in attic spaces? Make a library for that use-case. Do you use different fittings for basement systems that serve the main level above? Make a separate Library entry for that use-case. With these libraries selected, you can then draw each system, knowing that the software will automatically utilize the fittings you’ve specified.
As you can see in this next image, you not only can specify fittings, but you can also specify duct materials, desired sizes (a separate library menu), target velocities to reference re upsizing ducts to the next size, and more.
Use That Wrightsoft Drawing
Whether you’re only designing systems for your own install crews to implement or doing design work for others, drawing a duct layout is crucial. If you plan to utilize Wrightsoft for designing ductwork for your systems, there’s tremendous value in the ability to actually see the duct locations on a drawing. This not only makes it easier to make design decisions, but it’s far easier for installation crews or Clients to comprehend what the scope of work is.
When exporting drawings of your duct system, you have a few options of what data you can include. My general suggestion is to, at the least, include the Fitting ID’s. This allows you to cross-reference Appendix 3 in Manual-D to ensure you’re purchasing the correct components. It also makes QA inspections much easier for your internal processes or third-parties.
Beyond the Default Wrightsoft Drawing
If you want to further customize your work-product, Right-Draw offers a great starting point. Export the data into a CAD software of your choice and continue to add information to achieve your goal.
Here’s an example of what I typically do. I use Auto-Cad Lt. I typically export the duct system from Right-Draw as a pdf. Then import it into CAD to build-out the multi-page mechanical drawing set. This fits in nicely with the architectural set and can easily be referenced as part of a contract.
What’s the best way to learn the Wrightsoft Right-Draw tool?
Practice. Repetition. Repeat. Like most things in life, it takes time and repetition to build confidence. In the online HVAC Design Training programs I’ve developed, we start from ground-zero. We cover the Right-Draw navigation options and when/how to use each of the specific tools. We explore the Properties Window of each drawing object to fully investigate what the software is doing each time you place an object on the screen.
Once the student has a solid handle of the basics, we start to practice. We go through six full projects, starting with a simple three-room cabin. The student gets to follow along, step by step, drawing the same building, making the same tweaks/modifications, and listening-in to the thought-process and reasoning. I’m narrating the entire time, so you know what variables are being considered during the process. As you’ll see, learning software is one thing. Learning HOW to think about buildings and how they should be entered into the software is something else, entirely.
At the completion of each of the six projects, you get to run reports and compare your results to mine. Tracking down discrepancies between your results and mine provides yet another learning opportunity. You get to further explore the details of the software, learning how to track down specific details and make modifications to drawing objects that have already been drawn.
A final project then allows you to demonstrate your new skills and earn a certificate of completion!
Still have questions?
Comment below or reach out to me directly using the contact form on the bottom-right of your screen.
2 thoughts on “Wrightsoft Right-Draw Drawing Tool Top 10”
I purchased WrightSoft Programs years back for about $475.00 & never utilized it ,I even took a class but to fast paced for me !Not a excuse I’m just stated that I’m just Lack education a Little slower I’m very interested in the Prorgram! Adam & Son’s A/C & Heating for 13yrs & US Navy Veteran , BPI & NCI Certified I Know I had been doing my job wrong for a long time , but I motivated myself to be a better Company for Family & my Son’s , my Goal was to make sure my Loyal Customer’s were getting the best install there money had to offer ! So I hope I’m able to grasp this knowledge my 3rd time around . Thank You Adam Renteria
Hi Adam. I look forward to having you in the course! Sounds like the online format will be a good fit for you. I often receive feedback about the benefit of being able to watch the content as many times as needed for it to sink in. The practice projects will really help solidify the process.