Design Master HVAC review

Design Master HVAC is the pick for engineers who draw HVAC plans in AutoCAD and want the calculations to stay with the drawing. You lay out single-line or double-line ductwork and diffusers, set the CFM for each diffuser, and size the whole system with one command while keeping control over duct shapes. Pressure loss is calculated from the drafted layout, and the critical path is found, labeled and reported. Heating and cooling loads come from drafting over the architect's plan and setting wall materials, openings, occupancy and design temperatures. When the project needs BIM, the design exports as IFC or DWG to Navisworks or Revit for clash detection. A dedicated license costs $104 per seat a month or $1,008 a year, and AutoCAD is a separate purchase. Load reports are simpler than in Wrightsoft, HAP or TRACE.

Who it is for

Mechanical engineers and drafters who produce HVAC construction documents in AutoCAD.

Price

$104 per seat a month for a dedicated license; 20% off billed yearly.

Dedicated License $104 per seat / month One named user for use at the office, at home, and on site
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Single-line and double-line duct and diffuser layout inside AutoCAD
• CFM assignment and whole-system duct sizing with one command
• Pressure loss calculations with the critical path highlighted
• Heating and cooling loads drafted over the architect's drawing
• IFC and DWG export to Navisworks or Revit for clash detection

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Design data lives in the drawing, so revisions recalculate automatically
• Strength: Diffuser schedules generate while you draft
• Strength: Free trial download
• Weakness: Requires AutoCAD, licensed separately
• Weakness: Floating licenses cost $260 per seat a month
• Weakness: Load calculations are less detailed than dedicated load programs

Key facts

• Dedicated license: $104 per seat a month, or $1,008 a year
• Floating license: $260 per seat a month, or $2,496 a year
• Platform: AutoCAD add-on
• Trial: Free trial download

Where it ranks

Design Master HVAC is No. 6 in our Best HVAC Design Software verdict.