Trane TRACE 3D Plus review

TRACE 3D Plus is Trane's engineering tool for commercial load design and energy modeling, and it is the deepest modeler here alongside Carrier HAP. It runs on the EnergyPlus engine, imports PDF floor plans for scaling and tracing, and shows both the architecture and the HVAC systems in 2D and 3D, with built-in checks that catch modeling mistakes. Systems and plants are configured schematically. A guided wizard handles LEED and ASHRAE 90.1 work, and you can calculate and compare up to 20 alternatives at once for energy, carbon and cost. Version 8 adds electrification options such as hot gas reheat and air-to-water heat pump configurations, plus better ASHRAE 170 modeling for medical facilities. Trane does not publish a price on the product page, so its value score is conservative. A trial is available as a download.

Who it is for

Engineering firms doing complex commercial loads, LEED and ASHRAE 90.1 modeling, and decarbonization studies.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• EnergyPlus calculation engine with ASHRAE Standard 140 compliance results published
• PDF floor plan import and 2D and 3D views of the building and HVAC systems
• Guided wizard for LEED and ASHRAE 90.1 compliance
• Up to 20 design alternatives calculated and compared at once
• Version 8 additions such as hot gas reheat, air-to-water heat pump configurations and ASHRAE 170 airflow settings

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Deep system and plant configuration with built-in validation
• Strength: Strong for electrification and carbon reduction studies
• Strength: Trial version available for download
• Weakness: No published price; order through Trane C.D.S.
• Weakness: Commercial engineering tool, not for residential Manual J
• Weakness: Large 2GB install and a steep learning curve

Key facts

• Current version: TRACE 3D Plus 8.0
• Engine: EnergyPlus
• Alternatives: Up to 20 compared at once
• Trial: Downloadable trial version

Where it ranks

Trane TRACE 3D Plus is No. 7 in our Best HVAC Design Software verdict.