Systems
Systems in HVAKR represent the HVAC equipment that conditions your building. Each system includes central equipment and serves one or more zones.
Switch between three views with the view icons next to Systems in the left sidebar:
- Canvas (default) - Draw system boundaries and assign zones visually
- Table - Edit systems in a sortable table docked beside the canvas; expand it to fill the pane, or collapse it back
- Kanban - Zone cards sit in columns by system, including an Unassigned column; drag a card to a different column to reassign its system. Each column header shows the system’s zone count, space count, levels, space types, total area, and total peak cooling load
HVAKR remembers the last view you used for this page.
System Concepts
Section titled “System Concepts”What is a System?
Section titled “What is a System?”A system includes:
- Central unit - AHU, RTU, or other central equipment
- Terminal units - VAV boxes, fan coils, etc.
- Ductwork - Air distribution network
- Zones - The spaces being served
System Types
Section titled “System Types”Common system configurations:
- Single-zone - One thermostat controls the entire system
- Multi-zone - Multiple zones with terminal units
- VAV - Variable air volume with zone control
- VRF - Variable refrigerant flow
Creating Systems
Section titled “Creating Systems”Automatic System Creation
Section titled “Automatic System Creation”HVAKR can automatically create systems from unassigned zones:
- Navigate to Building Model > Systems
- Click Auto Group Zones (the sparkles icon) in the toolbar
- HVAKR creates systems and groups unassigned zones into them immediately — there is no strategy dialog — and shows a toast with how many systems were created and zones grouped
- Review the results on the canvas and adjust zone assignment as needed
Create a System
Section titled “Create a System”- Navigate to Building Model > Systems
- In the Systems panel, click Create System (or press
N) - A new system named New System is added and selected automatically
- Rename it and set its color in the System Data panel
- Assign zones to the system (see below)
A new system comes with a default central unit already configured. It carries all six components, but only three start enabled: Outside Air (Sum of Spaces method) and a Cooling Coil in Cooling mode, with a Heating Coil enabled instead in Heating mode. ERV, Return Air, and Fan Heat are present and disabled. There is no system-type template to pick at creation, but you can replace the whole arrangement afterwards with Apply System Preset. Review and adjust the central unit, coils, and outdoor air in the System Design > Configuration pane.
Assigning Zones
Section titled “Assigning Zones”Assign Zones to a System
Section titled “Assign Zones to a System”- Select a system in the Systems panel
- In the System Data panel, click Assign Zones
- Click zones on the canvas to toggle their assignment — the hint bar reads Click a zone to toggle system assignment
- Assigned zones appear in the system’s Zones list; remove one with the ✕ button
- Click Done when finished
Zone Requirements
Section titled “Zone Requirements”When zones are assigned:
- Airflow is calculated based on zone loads
- Terminal units are sized
- Ventilation is distributed to zones
System Capacity
Section titled “System Capacity”The system calculates total capacity based on:
- Sum of zone peak loads (with diversity)
- Ventilation requirements
- Safety factors
System Data
Section titled “System Data”Select a system in the Systems panel to edit it in the System Data panel:
- Name - Rename the system
- Total Area - Combined floor area of the system’s spaces (read-only)
- Color - Display color for the system on the canvas
- Zones - The zones assigned to the system (see Assigning Zones); click a zone to open it
- Occupancy Diversity, Lighting Diversity, and Equipment Diversity - Diversity factors applied to the system’s occupancy, lighting, and equipment gains when aggregating zone loads. Occupancy Diversity also scales the people component of the system’s outdoor airflow requirement — see Occupancy Diversity in the Rollup
- Preview Loads - Show the system’s aggregated load summary
- Delete - Remove the system
The System Data header carries Locate (or press L), which switches to the system’s level and fits the canvas around its spaces. A system that spans levels keeps the current level when one of its spaces is on it, and drops to the lowest level it occupies when none is. Copy System Properties and Paste System Properties sit next to it.
The central unit, terminal units, coils, outdoor air, and duct parameters are not set here — configure them in the System Design > Configuration pane, using the project’s duct types for duct sizing.
System Calculations
Section titled “System Calculations”Load Aggregation
Section titled “Load Aggregation”System load combines zone loads:
- Sensible cooling load
- Latent cooling load
- Heating load
- Ventilation load
Airflow Calculation
Section titled “Airflow Calculation”Supply airflow based on:
- Peak sensible load
- Supply air temperature
- Minimum ventilation
Equipment Sizing
Section titled “Equipment Sizing”Size central equipment for:
- Peak system load
- Coincident outdoor air
- Part-load performance
Multiple Systems
Section titled “Multiple Systems”System Per Floor
Section titled “System Per Floor”Common approach:
- Separate AHU for each floor
- Easier maintenance access
- Simpler duct routing
System Per Exposure
Section titled “System Per Exposure”Alternative approach:
- Interior system (cooling only)
- Perimeter systems (heating and cooling)
- Better load matching
Central Plant
Section titled “Central Plant”For large buildings:
- Central chiller plant
- Central boiler plant
- Systems connect to plant loops
Best Practices
Section titled “Best Practices”- Match system to building - Use appropriate system types
- Consider maintenance - Accessible equipment locations
- Plan for future - Size systems with growth capacity
- Check diversity - System capacity vs. sum of zones
- Verify ventilation - Adequate outdoor air for all zones