Question 1

Is Ventora accurate for professional work?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our AI is trained on real-world HVAC knowledge and provides code-backed answers with specific references to the IMC, UMC, ACCA Manuals, ASHRAE standards, and EPA Section 608.

Question 2

What HVAC codes does Ventora reference?

Accepted Answer

Ventora references the IMC, UMC, IRC, and IFGC mechanical codes, ACCA Manuals J/S/D/T, ASHRAE 15/34/62.1/62.2/90.1, and EPA Section 608 and the AIM Act. We update with each new code cycle.

Question 3

Can I use Ventora offline?

Accepted Answer

All 6 calculators work offline. AI and photo features require internet.

Question 4

How does photo analysis work?

Accepted Answer

Snap a photo and our AI identifies the equipment — nameplates, furnace control board error codes, wiring diagrams, and gauge sets — checks code compliance, and provides recommendations.

Question 5

Can I cancel anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes, cancel through the App Store anytime during or after your 7-day free trial.

Question 6

What is Ventora?

Accepted Answer

Ventora is an AI-powered HVAC calculator and reference app designed for HVAC technicians, installers, and apprentices. It includes professional tools like superheat & subcooling, refrigerant charge, duct sizing, airflow/CFM & static pressure, BTU/load, and hydronic calculators, plus a comprehensive HVAC code reference and photo analysis.

Question 7

What HVAC calculators does Ventora include?

Accepted Answer

Ventora includes six professional HVAC calculators: Superheat & Subcooling, Refrigerant Charge, Duct Sizing, Airflow / CFM & Static Pressure, BTU / Load, and Hydronic (water-side). Each is built for real field work with results interpreted for you.

Question 8

Does Ventora have an AI assistant for HVAC questions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ventora features an advanced AI assistant trained on real-world HVAC knowledge. Ask about refrigerants, error codes, sequences of operation, wiring, and codes, and get instant, accurate answers backed by mechanical code and standards references.

Question 9

Is Ventora free to use?

Accepted Answer

Ventora is free to try with a 7-day free trial, then $19.99/month. Cancel anytime through the App Store. The subscription unlocks the AI assistant, all six calculators, HVAC code reference, photo analysis, and guided troubleshooting.

Question 10

How do I calculate superheat?

Accepted Answer

Superheat = Suction Line Temperature − Evaporator Saturation Temperature, in °F. On a TXV system, target 8–14°F. Low superheat (under about 5°F) risks liquid floodback and overcharge; high superheat (over about 20°F) usually means a starved or undercharged system. Ventora's Superheat & Subcooling Calculator looks up saturation temperatures from the PT chart for R-410A, R-454B, R-22, R-32, and R-407C.

Question 11

How do I calculate subcooling?

Accepted Answer

Subcooling = Condenser Saturation Temperature − Liquid Line Temperature, in °F. Target roughly 10–18°F on most systems. Low subcooling points to an undercharge; high subcooling points to an overcharge or a liquid-line restriction. Ventora computes it automatically once you enter your liquid line pressure and temperature.

Question 12

What is the target superheat for a fixed-orifice system?

Accepted Answer

For fixed-orifice (piston) metering, use the Carrier method: Target Superheat = 3 × (indoor Wet Bulb) + (80 − Outdoor Dry Bulb) − 1, in °F. Ventora's Refrigerant Charge Calculator computes target superheat from indoor wet-bulb and outdoor dry-bulb temperatures and compares it to your measured superheat.

Question 13

How do I size ductwork?

Accepted Answer

Duct sizing starts with the friction rate: Friction Rate = (Available Static Pressure ÷ Total Equivalent Length) × 100, in inches of water column per 100 ft. Aim for roughly 700–900 FPM on supply and 600–700 FPM on return. Ventora's Duct Sizing Calculator recommends round diameters and equivalent rectangular sizes following ACCA Manual D principles.

Question 14

How do I calculate CFM and airflow?

Accepted Answer

The core airflow formula is CFM = BTU ÷ (1.08 × ΔT). You can also derive CFM from velocity (CFM = FPM × Area in ft²) or velocity from velocity pressure (V = 4005 × √VP). A common target is about 400 CFM per ton. Ventora's Airflow / CFM Calculator handles all three methods plus total external static pressure.

Question 15

What is a good total external static pressure?

Accepted Answer

Total External Static Pressure (TESP) should generally stay at or below 0.50 iwc on typical residential equipment. Readings above 0.80 iwc indicate a serious airflow restriction — often a dirty filter or coil, closed registers, or undersized ductwork. Ventora flags high static pressure automatically.

Question 16

How do I calculate a cooling load?

Accepted Answer

Sensible load = 1.08 × CFM × ΔT; Total load = 4.5 × CFM × Δh; Latent load = 0.68 × CFM × ΔW; Tons = BTU ÷ 12,000. For quick estimates Ventora offers BTU/sq-ft rules of thumb by climate zone — but a full ACCA Manual J is required for real equipment sizing, since oversizing is the number-one install error.

Question 17

What refrigerants does Ventora support?

Accepted Answer

Ventora includes PT data and charging guidance for R-410A, R-454B, R-22, R-32, and R-407C. It also covers the AIM Act phase-down: as of January 1, 2025, new residential and light-commercial systems must use lower-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B (GWP 466) in place of R-410A (GWP 2,088).

Question 18

Do I need EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under EPA Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, anyone who purchases or handles refrigerant must be certified — Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure), or Universal. Ventora's code reference covers 608 requirements including mandatory leak repair, recovery, and recordkeeping rules.

Question 19

How do I troubleshoot a system that isn't cooling?

Accepted Answer

The most common causes are a dirty air filter or restricted airflow, a low refrigerant charge or leak, a frozen evaporator coil, a dirty condenser coil, or a failed run capacitor. Ventora's guided troubleshooting walks you through no-cooling, no-heat, airflow, electrical, and refrigerant faults step by step.

Question 20

Does Ventora work for commercial HVAC technicians?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ventora is designed for both residential service techs and commercial installers. It includes commercial-focused tools like hydronic (water-side) heat-transfer calculations, airflow and static pressure analysis, and a code reference covering the IMC, ASHRAE 62.1/90.1, and Manual N commercial loads.

Question 21

What is the best app for HVAC technicians?

Accepted Answer

Ventora is built specifically for HVAC technicians. It combines an AI assistant, six professional calculators (superheat & subcooling, refrigerant charge, duct sizing, airflow/CFM, BTU/load, hydronic), HVAC code reference, photo analysis, and guided troubleshooting in one mobile app. Free to try with a 7-day trial, then $19.99/month.

The Ventora HVAC Blog

Featured

How to Measure Superheat and Subcooling: The Complete Guide

Target Superheat Method for Fixed-Orifice Systems

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All Articles

How to Measure Superheat and Subcooling: The Complete Guide

Target Superheat Method for Fixed-Orifice Systems

The Subcooling Charging Method Explained

R-410A vs R-454B: The A2L Refrigerant Transition

R-22 Phase-Out: What HVAC Techs Need to Know

Working Safely with A2L Refrigerants

How to Read a PT Chart

Charging by Weight vs Superheat and Subcooling

Refrigerant Recovery: A Step-by-Step Guide

EPA Section 608 Certification: The Complete Guide

TXV vs Fixed Orifice Metering Devices

Compression Ratio: What It Tells You About a Compressor

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