Taco, a leading manufacturer of hydronic equipment and accessories for use in residential, commercial and institutional buildings worldwide, now offers an enhanced version of its System Analysis Tool, a software tool for comparing different HVAC systems’ energy costs. Taco’s System Analysis Tool software provides a quick and reliable tool to the HVAC professional for evaluating various system and product design candidates early in the conceptual design phase.

The enhanced version allows system designers to model and compare the energy and life cycle costs of up to four HVAC systems at one time. Configuration and modeling of each system is accomplished through simple menu driven choices for heating and cooling sources, piping and duct distribution systems, and terminal units. The enhanced System Analysis Tool calculates energy costs based on National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) weather data for the geographic area involved as well as a number of other parameters that the user can enter, including building dimensions, heat loss and heat gain, and energy costs.

 

Life cycle costs are calculated from previous energy costs plus first cost, annual maintenance cost, replacement cost for each system and other factors. According to the company’s press release, the System Analysis Tool calculates life cycle costs for both a Present Worth and on an Annualized basis, as well as a payback for each system. Results are displayed in both a bar graph form and a text format suitable for either printout or e-mail.