Cool Calc alternative
Cool Calc alternative: from the load to a signed proposal
Checked October 16, 2026Written by the Tradewright team. Tradewright is our product. Everything we say about Cool Calc comes from its public website, linked in the sources below, as of October 16, 2026. Features and prices change; check their site for the latest.
What Cool Calc does well
As described on Cool Calc's own website, checked October 16, 2026.
Manual J, S and D in a browser
Cool Calc describes itself as built on ACCA's Manual J, S and D, and it runs in any modern browser on Mac, PC, phone or tablet.
ACCA-listed
Cool Calc Manual J appears in ACCA's approved software list, and Cool Calc is listed for Manual D with stated exclusions.
Many ways to enter a house
LiDAR through its free CoolCalc Scan iOS app (iPhone 12 Pro or later, iPad Pro), floor plan upload, satellite trace and free-draw.
Low, flexible pricing
A $45 per-project option for occasional jobs and a $50 per user per month Pro plan, as listed on its site.
Where Tradewright is different
From an address to an engineered HVAC design and a signed proposal, in one visit. Your salesperson gathers. Tradewright engineers. You decide how to sell.
- 01
Existing equipment from a nameplate photo
Photograph the old unit's nameplate and Tradewright reads the existing equipment into the job.
- 02
Manual S from real equipment, in the same flow
Tradewright selects real equipment against the room-by-room load at your design temperature, then carries it straight into pricing.
- 03
Whole-system comparison on 15-year cost
Heat pump, boiler, furnace, mini-split and dual-fuel side by side on 15-year cost of ownership, with ruled-out options and why.
- 04
Good/Better/Best from your price book, today
A branded proposal priced from your own price book. Cool Calc lists a Proposal Builder under its Pro Plus plan, marked as coming soon.
- 05
Sign, pay and finance at the table
E-signature, deposit and financing in the same visit.
- 06
Works with your CRM now
Housecall Pro, Jobber, FieldEdge, ServiceTitan or no CRM. Cool Calc lists CRM and API integrations under Pro Plus.
- 07
Rebate paperwork generated
NYS Clean Heat and Mass Save documentation generated from the design.
Cool Calc vs Tradewright, side by side
Checked October 16, 2026. "Not publicly listed" means we could not find it on their public site.
| Tradewright | Cool Calc | |
|---|---|---|
| Manual J | Room-by-room | Yes |
| On ACCA's approved software list | Not yet; built on ACCA methods | Listed (Manual J; Manual D with exclusions) |
| Manual S | Yes | Yes |
| Manual D | No | Yes |
| LiDAR capture | iPhone and iPad app | CoolCalc Scan iOS app |
| Plan upload | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite trace | No | Yes |
| Existing equipment from nameplate photo | Yes | Not stated |
| Whole-system 15-year comparison | Yes | Not stated |
| Good/Better/Best proposal | Yes | Proposal Builder listed as coming (Pro Plus) |
| E-signature, payment, financing | Yes | Not stated |
| CRM integrations | Housecall Pro, Jobber, FieldEdge, ServiceTitan | Listed as coming (Pro Plus) |
| Platforms | iPhone and iPad, plus browser | Any browser, plus iOS scan app |
| Price (listed) | From $199/seat/mo | $45/project or $50/user/mo |
Checked October 16, 2026 on coolcalc.com, the CoolCalc Scan App Store listing and ACCA's approved software page. "Not stated" means not found on the public site.
Who should stay with Cool Calc
- You mainly need a Manual J, S or D for permits or plan takeoffs, at the lowest cost.
- You need software on ACCA's approved list today. Cool Calc is listed; Tradewright is not yet.
- You design duct systems (Manual D) or do new construction from satellite or plans.
- You run occasional jobs and prefer paying per project.
Who should look at Tradewright
- Your salespeople run the load in the home and need to present and sign options in the same visit.
- You want equipment matched and priced from your own price book without retyping anything.
- You compare heat pumps against boilers, furnaces and dual-fuel for the homeowner on 15-year cost.
- You file NYS Clean Heat or Mass Save paperwork on most jobs.
Questions
What is the best Cool Calc alternative?
It depends on why you are looking. For desktop design with Manual D and hydronic, Wrightsoft or Elite RHVAC. For the load plus a signed proposal in one visit, Tradewright. Tradewright is our product.
Is Cool Calc ACCA-approved?
Cool Calc Manual J appears in ACCA's approved software list, and Cool Calc is listed for Manual D with stated exclusions, checked October 16, 2026.
Is Tradewright ACCA-approved?
Not yet. Tradewright is not on ACCA's list of approved Manual J software. Our load calculations follow the ACCA Manual J (8th edition) and Manual S methods, every input is visible, and reports show the assumptions behind each number. We plan to apply for ACCA approval in 2028 and will update this answer when that status changes.
How much does Cool Calc cost?
As listed on coolcalc.com on October 16, 2026: Personal at $45 per project, Pro at $50 per user per month, and Pro Plus at $250 per user per month, marked as coming soon.
Does Tradewright do Manual D?
No. Tradewright covers room-by-room Manual J and Manual S equipment selection, then the system comparison and proposal. If you need duct design, keep a Manual D tool such as Cool Calc.
Can I use Cool Calc and Tradewright together?
Yes. Some contractors may keep a design tool for duct work in the office and use Tradewright for the in-home load, options and signed proposal.
Sources
- Cool Calc home page (features and plans) (accessed 2026-10-16)
- CoolCalc Scan on the App Store (accessed 2026-10-16)
- ACCA: Approved software (accessed 2026-10-16)
Cool Calc is a trademark of its owner; Tradewright is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cool Calc.
Related tools and guides
See the design and the proposal in one visit.
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