ACCA’s “Powered by Manual J^®” seal on approved HVAC load calculation software indicates compliance with the rigorous Manual J standard.

Heating and cooling load calculations for homes must be done according to ACCA’s Manual J^® standard, and using ACCA-approved software is crucial to ensure accuracy and code compliance. In fact, “only ACCA-approved software complies with our standards and meets code requirements,” stresses ACCA’s president. Many building codes now require contractors to submit Manual J reports from approved programs. All ACCA-approved Manual J software undergo independent audits and will produce nearly identical results (within about 1% of each other) for the same inputs. The differences between these tools lie in their features, user interface, and additional capabilities – not in the fundamental calculations. Below we compare all the ACCA-approved Manual J software solutions, including their platform compatibility, key features, and whether they support the related ACCA Manual S (equipment selection) and Manual D (duct design) procedures.

Desktop Software (Windows PC)

Wrightsoft Right-J 8 (Right-Suite^® Universal)

Wrightsoft Right-J 8 is a comprehensive residential HVAC design program and was the first software to be certified by ACCA. It runs on Windows and features an easy-to-use, CAD-style interface with drag-and-drop tools for drawing floor plans and performing detailed room-by-room load calculations. Wrightsoft’s software suite fully integrates Manual J load calculations with Manual S equipment selection and Manual D duct sizing – all in one platform. This means contractors can seamlessly go from calculating loads to selecting appropriately sized equipment and laying out ductwork without exporting data between programs. Wrightsoft provides standard ACCA reports and is widely trusted by HVAC professionals and code officials for its accuracy and up-to-date compliance with Manual J 8th Edition requirements. In summary, Right-J (part of Wrightsoft’s Right-Suite Universal) is an industry-leading solution for those who want a robust, all-in-one design tool with full support for Manual J, S, and D.

Elite Software RHVAC

Elite RHVAC is another long-established Windows-based HVAC load calculation program that is ACCA-approved for Manual J. It appeals to many users who prefer a more traditional, worksheet-driven approach to entering data. RHVAC allows you to sketch floor plans and input building details to compute room-by-room and whole-house loads. It also has integrated support for Manual D duct design (via Elite’s separate Ductsize module) and includes a complete Manual S equipment selection capability. This means RHVAC can help you size ducts and select HVAC equipment that meets the calculated loads. Compared to newer interfaces, Elite RHVAC’s UI is a bit less graphical and more form-based, but it is a solid, reliable tool that has been updated over the years to stay compliant with ACCA standards. It’s known as a cost-effective one-time purchase software (license model), though its interface may feel dated or less intuitive than Wrightsoft’s modern GUI. Nonetheless, RHVAC is a powerful choice for contractors comfortable with its style, delivering accurate Manual J and D results that are accepted by code officials.

Adtek AccuLoad (with AccuDuct)

Adtek AccuLoad, by Adtek Software, is an ACCA-approved Manual J load calculation program for Windows that is often favored by contractors who like a straightforward, worksheet-style workflow. It quickly computes whole-house and room-by-room heat loss/gain using Manual J 8th Edition methodology. Adtek’s solution is somewhat more streamlined and focused purely on the load numbers, without extensive graphics. For those needing duct design, Adtek offers a companion program called AccuDuct, which is ACCA-approved for Manual D duct sizing. Together, AccuLoad and AccuDuct allow a user to perform both Manual J and D (the room airflow outputs from AccuLoad can be imported into AccuDuct for duct layout and sizing). Adtek also advertises support for Manual S equipment selection within its software suite – for example, helping choose an appropriately sized furnace or AC once the loads are known. In practice, Adtek’s tools are valued for their simplicity and speed, though they may not have all the bells and whistles of larger platforms. They provide reliable results for load calculations and duct designs, covering the essentials of ACCA standards. If you prefer inputting data in a tabular, form-based manner and generating quick ACCA-approved reports, AccuLoad is a worthy option.

Florida EnergyGauge (FSEC)

EnergyGauge is a software developed by the Florida Solar Energy Center and is unique on this list as it doubles as an energy modeling/code compliance tool in addition to performing Manual J calculations. The EnergyGauge USA program (Windows-based) includes an ACCA Certified Manual J 8th Edition calculator and even offers Manual S equipment sizing reports. This means it can compute the required HVAC capacity for a home and help in selecting a properly sized unit per Manual S guidelines. EnergyGauge is ACCA-approved for both Manual J and Manual D (duct design) as well – it appears on ACCA’s approved list for residential duct design. (The ACCA listing notes that EnergyGauge’s duct sizing excludes a couple of specialized newer features like Manual Zr and panned duct compliance, but it still meets the core Manual D requirements.) EnergyGauge is aimed at energy professionals and contractors who want to integrate load calculations with broader analyses such as energy usage or rating systems. It may not have as user-friendly an HVAC-specific interface as Wrightsoft or Elite, but it is a powerful tool for those who need ACCA-compliant loads and also want to evaluate efficiency, perform code calculations, or generate energy compliance reports. In short, EnergyGauge provides accurate Manual J load results (and can assist with duct sizing and equipment selection), and is especially useful if you are working in contexts like energy code compliance (for example, in states like Florida) in addition to basic HVAC design.

Avenir HeatCAD / LoopCAD MJ8 Editions

HeatCAD and LoopCAD (MJ8 Editions) from Avenir Software are Windows-based design tools that have been specifically adapted to perform ACCA-approved Manual J calculations. These programs are CAD-oriented: they allow you to draw the building floor plan and HVAC layout, and then automatically calculate the heating and cooling loads for each room and the whole house. Avenir’s tools are known in the industry for radiant heating and piping design (LoopCAD for radiant floor systems, etc.), but with the MJ8 editions they have full Manual J capabilities built in. They support advanced features of Manual J such as room-by-room and block loads, peak diversity (AED) calculations, and produce the official ACCA reports and forms (like Form J1, load summaries, etc.). HeatCAD/LoopCAD focus primarily on the load calculation and design documentation aspect; they do not natively handle Manual S equipment selection or Manual D duct sizing. In other words, they will give you the accurate room loads and ventilation/infiltration numbers, but you would select your HVAC equipment and design the ductwork outside the program (or by exporting the data). The strength of HeatCAD and LoopCAD is in the visual design process – if you want to actually map out each room’s dimensions and construction in a CAD-like environment and get highly detailed, reviewable load calculations, these programs excel at that. They ensure full compliance with Manual J 8th Edition, and they even include helpful diagnostics like flagging inputs that fall outside of typical ranges (so you can double-check any unusual values). For contractors or designers who prefer a graphical, plan-based approach and are perhaps already using Avenir’s software for hydronic design, the MJ8 Editions of HeatCAD and LoopCAD provide an ACCA-approved solution for Manual J.

Web-Based and Cloud Software

Cool Calc Manual J (Cloud)

Cool Calc Manual J is a 100% cloud-based ACCA-approved load calculator that runs in a web browser. It was one of the first online tools to achieve ACCA approval. Cool Calc supports both whole-house block loads and detailed room-by-room load calculations, giving flexibility based on the project needs. Because it’s cloud software, you can use it from any device (Windows, Mac, tablet, etc.) with an internet connection, and there’s nothing to install. One notable feature of Cool Calc is its integration with mapping and satellite imagery: a user can trace the building footprint on a map to automatically obtain building dimensions and area, which speeds up the data entry for existing homes. The software will apply default construction assumptions (which the user can adjust) and allow quick calculation of the loads. This makes it popular for quick estimates or preliminary sizing, though it is also capable of full Manual J8 reports if detailed inputs are provided. Cool Calc’s business model has been “freemium” – it lets you run calculations for free and charges for downloading formal reports – but regardless of pricing, it outputs official ACCA MJ8 reports that many code officials accept. In terms of Manual S and Manual D: Cool Calc focuses on the load calculation portion (Manual J). It does not perform automatic equipment selection or duct design. After getting the loads, the user would manually choose equipment (perhaps using ACCA Manual S guidelines and manufacturer data) and design ducts (or use another tool for Manual D). Cool Calc is especially useful for HVAC contractors who want a quick, accessible way to get ACCA-approved load results without investing in desktop software, and it’s also used in some OEM-branded calculators (for example, certain HVAC manufacturer websites have offered load calculators “powered by Cool Calc”). Overall, as an ACCA-approved tool, Cool Calc provides convenience and accuracy, making Manual J calculations “in minutes” as their tagline suggests, with the trade-off that it’s not an all-in-one design solution beyond the load calculations.

Wrightsoft Right-J Mobile (Block Load Only)

Right-J Mobile is Wrightsoft’s cloud-based Manual J application designed for quick whole-home load analyses. It runs through a web browser on any device (tablet, iPad, laptop, etc.) and is limited to performing block loads (i.e., total heating and cooling load for the entire building) as opposed to room-by-room calculations. Despite that limitation, it is ACCA-approved for Manual J8 block load compliance and generates standard reports suitable for HVAC replacement sizing, sales proposals, or permit applications where only a whole-house load is required. The user interface of Right-J Mobile is optimized for speed and simplicity – for instance, you can sketch a simple building footprint, input the construction values (insulation levels, window types, etc.), and the software will instantly compute the total load using Wrightsoft’s trusted calculation engine. Because it’s cloud-based, projects can be saved on Wrightsoft’s server, and one neat feature is that you can later import these projects into the full Wrightsoft desktop software for a detailed room-by-room design and duct layout. This gives contractors a flexible workflow: a comfort advisor in the field could do a quick block load on a tablet during a sales call, and the engineering team back at the office could refine it with room-by-room analysis if the job is won. Right-J Mobile does not do Manual S equipment selection directly (aside from providing the total BTU requirement which you’d match to equipment) and it doesn’t do Manual D designs (since no room-by-room data for duct sizing is obtained in the mobile app). Its purpose is more for speedy load calculations and validating that a proposed system size will meet the home’s needs. In summary, Wrightsoft Right-J Mobile is a convenient tool for ACCA-compliant block loads, extending the Wrightsoft ecosystem into the cloud for on-the-go use.

CalcuNow MJ8-Calc (Block Load Only)

CalcuNow MJ8-Calc is another web-based Manual J calculator that has earned ACCA approval for performing simplified block load calculations. It is a relatively new entry, designed to be used on a tablet or browser by HVAC sales professionals (sometimes called “comfort advisors”) in the field. The idea behind MJ8-Calc is to allow a technician to quickly verify an existing home’s total load and account for any energy efficiency improvements during sales/estimating appointments. The app guides the user through inputting the home’s key parameters (location, size, insulation levels, window areas, etc.) and then computes the whole-house heating and cooling requirements. Since it’s limited to block loads, the output is the overall load numbers rather than per-room values. This makes MJ8-Calc best suited for system replacement scenarios or initial sizing estimates. According to ACCA and program guidelines, MJ8-Calc is “Manual J8 compliant – Simplified Only,” meaning it meets the ACCA standard for block loads but is not intended for designing ductwork or detailed new construction design (where room-by-room is needed). It does not perform Manual D or Manual S tasks; those would be handled separately if needed (for example, by using the block load result to pick equipment, or by switching to a more detailed tool for duct planning). CalcuNow’s MJ8-Calc fills a niche for quick, code-compliant load calculations that can be done anywhere via browser. Its ease of use and ACCA validation make it a handy tool for HVAC companies to get sizing right without doing a full Manual J by hand or carrying a laptop.

Mobile Apps (iPad and Tablets)

Carmelsoft HVAC ResLoad-J (iPad)

HVAC ResLoad-J is a mobile app for the iPad that performs residential Manual J load calculations and carries ACCA approval. Developed by Carmel Software, this app essentially packs the standard Manual J8 calculations into a convenient tablet format. Using ResLoad-J, contractors can input all the room information, construction details, and climate data on-site with an iPad, and the app will compute both room-by-room loads and the total building load. It produces an ACCA-compliant report (which can be viewed on-screen or exported as needed) showing heating and cooling loads for each room and the whole home. The interface is designed in a way that will feel familiar to those used to Manual J worksheets – it’s form-based and lists inputs and results clearly, rather than a fancy graphical floor plan interface. This simplicity and portability make ResLoad-J an attractive choice for small contractors or those who want to perform load calculations without a PC. Being a native iOS app, it runs offline and can be used in attics or basements where a laptop might be less convenient. In terms of additional support: ResLoad-J is focused on Manual J only. It does not perform Manual S equipment selection or Manual D duct sizing within the app. However, once you have the room loads, you can manually apply Manual S guidelines to pick equipment (or use Carmel’s separate HVAC Equipment app if available) and use the room CFM results to plan your ductwork. The app’s affordable price point (relative to desktop software) and ACCA-approved status make it a popular entry-level solution. It’s worth noting Carmel offers many other HVAC calculation apps, but ResLoad-J is the one specifically audited and approved for Manual J. If you’re an iPad user looking for on-the-go load calculations that meet code requirements, ResLoad-J fits the bill.

Conduit Tech (iPad with LiDAR)

Conduit Tech is a cutting-edge HVAC design app that leverages the latest technology (like LiDAR scanning) to drastically speed up the Manual J process. Available for iPad (especially iPad Pro models with LiDAR sensors), Conduit’s app allows the user to scan the home’s interior, automatically capturing room dimensions, wall areas, window sizes, and other features in minutes. Using this data, the software generates a quick and accurate Manual J load calculation for the house. Conduit Tech received ACCA’s “Powered by Manual J” approval in 2024, signaling that despite its novel approach, the load calculations it performs are up to ACCA’s standards for accuracy. The app is aimed at helping HVAC professionals reduce the time spent on manual measurements and data entry – the entire load calculation can be done during an on-site visit by walking through the house with an iPad. In addition to the load calculations, Conduit’s platform focuses on the sales and proposal aspect: it streamlines the process of going from design to quote, helping contractors generate professional proposals faster. As for Manual S and Manual D, Conduit Tech at this time concentrates on the load (Manual J) portion as the critical first step. It provides the sizing results which can then be used to select equipment. Duct design is not a built-in feature of the scanning tool; if ductwork needs redesign, the contractor would still need to do that using conventional methods or other software, once the loads are known. The value proposition of Conduit Tech lies in its speed and automation – it makes performing an accurate Manual J less of a labor-intensive task, which can encourage more contractors to do it for every job (something ACCA strongly advocates to improve system performance and efficiency). In summary, Conduit Tech is an innovative ACCA-approved app that turns an iPad into a high-tech load calculation assistant, greatly reducing the effort to get reliable Manual J results.

Amply (iPad with LiDAR & AR)

Amply is a modern HVAC design and sales app geared towards heat pump installations, and it too has earned ACCA Manual J approval. Amply runs on an iPad (it uses the iPad’s LiDAR for scanning spaces) and takes a holistic approach: it not only calculates the Manual J loads, but also assists in equipment selection and system design visualization. With Amply, a user can scan the home to create a detailed 3D model of the house in the app, capturing room layouts and dimensions. The software then performs an ACCA-approved Manual J load calculation on that model to determine the heating and cooling requirements of the home. Once the loads are known, Amply helps with the Manual S side by enabling you to “pick, place and visualize the right equipment” in the 3D space. For example, a contractor can select a heat pump unit (from a built-in database) that appropriately matches the load, and then use augmented reality (AR) to virtually place the air handler or condenser in the client’s home to show how it will look and fit. This is a powerful sales tool – it helps homeowners see the proposed design and builds confidence. Amply also generates professional proposal documents that compile the load results, equipment chosen, and other design details into a neat package for the customer and installation team. The app is designed to work offline as well, so even without internet it can be used in the field. Regarding Manual D, Amply does not perform full duct layout calculations. Its focus is more on sizing the system and designing the solution (including possibly ductless placements, multiple units, etc.) rather than drawing duct runs. If ducts are involved, the app might allow noting where ducts go in the floor plan, but sizing of ducts would need separate attention. In practice, Amply is ideal for HVAC businesses that are selling high-efficiency heat pump systems and want to provide an interactive, tech-forward experience – while still getting ACCA-accurate load calculations in the background. It exemplifies how ACCA-approved software is evolving beyond just number-crunching into integrated design and sales platforms.

Zero Homes (Mobile/Remote Platform)

Zero Homes offers a unique digital platform for HVAC system design that is centered on remote assessments and whole-home electrification plans. Zero Homes is the latest (as of late 2024) to join the ACCA-approved Manual J software list, becoming the tenth approved product. What sets Zero Homes apart is that it enables a fully remote Manual J process: instead of a contractor visiting the house to gather data, the homeowner can use Zero’s mobile app (available for iOS and Android smartphones) to scan their home and take photos of key features. The collected data is uploaded to Zero’s system, where a detailed Manual J load calculation is performed without an in-person walkthrough. Zero’s platform then goes further – it produces a customized HVAC design and an electrification plan for the home, which includes recommendations for high-efficiency equipment, retrofit measures, and energy savings. In other words, it doesn’t stop at giving you the load; it also tells you how to address that load with the best modern solutions (for example, it might suggest a heat pump of a certain capacity, duct sealing, or adding a ductless unit in a tough room, etc., as part of the design package). This inherently covers the Manual S aspect because the software (and the human experts behind it) select equipment that fits the load and the homeowner’s goals. It may also include ductwork considerations or airflow planning as needed, although the emphasis is on delivering a “ready-to-install” scope to the contractor rather than a DIY duct design. Zero Homes is basically reimagining HVAC design as a service: homeowners get a professional ACCA-compliant load calculation and system design remotely, and contractors receive these vetted designs, saving them hours of site visits and calculation work. The ACCA approval was a major validation of this approach, confirming that its automated load calculations are as reliable as traditional methods. This platform is particularly appealing in the era of virtual consultations and expanding heat pump incentives – it makes quality HVAC design more scalable and accessible. In summary, Zero Homes’ app and platform use advanced scanning and modeling to create ACCA-approved Manual J calculations and comprehensive system designs entirely through a digital experience, supporting both contractors and homeowners in achieving optimal, code-compliant HVAC solutions.

Conclusion

When comparing all these ACCA-approved Manual J software options, it’s clear there is a solution to fit every workflow – from powerful desktop suites to convenient cloud apps to high-tech mobile tools. Accuracy is a given across the board, since each of these has been vetted to produce Manual J results within the tight tolerances of the standard. Therefore, choosing between them comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If you require an all-in-one design platform that handles loads, equipment selection, and ductwork (and you don’t mind a Windows PC environment), established programs like Wrightsoft or Elite RHVAC will serve you well. They offer deep features (even beyond J, S, D into things like Manual T air distribution and energy analysis) and produce reports readily accepted by any inspector. On the other hand, if cost or mobility is a priority, or you want to perform calculations on-site in real time, the cloud and tablet-based solutions shine. Tools like Cool Calc, ResLoad-J, and Right-J Mobile allow you to get compliant loads quickly with minimal setup, which can be great for smaller companies or preliminary sizing work. And for those who want to leverage new technology to further streamline the process, apps like Conduit Tech, Amply, and Zero Homes point to the future of HVAC design – integrating scanning, automation, and even AR, while still adhering to ACCA’s rigorous standards.

One common theme is that using ACCA-approved software is a best practice that should not be overlooked. These tools remove the guesswork from sizing HVAC systems and help avoid the pitfalls of “rule of thumb” estimates (which often lead to oversizing or undersizing). ACCA-approved programs ensure you’re following the proper methodology, which translates to better performing systems and happy customers. As ACCA and industry experts often note: skipping Manual J or using unverified tools is risky – it can result in failed inspections, comfort complaints, or inefficiencies. By contrast, doing the legwork with an approved Manual J software gives you the reliable load data needed for proper Manual S equipment selection and Manual D duct design, completing the HVAC design puzzle. In the end, all of the software compared above will get the job done for calculating loads; the “best” one depends on whether you value a rich feature set, ease of use, field mobility, or integration with other processes. What’s important is that you use one of them – any ACCA-approved tool – rather than a shortcut. This will ensure your residential HVAC designs are accurate, code-compliant, and optimized for comfort and efficiency, which is exactly the outcome Manual J was created to guarantee.