ATLANTA - The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has released a four-volume, enhanced CD-ROM, the HandbookCD+ 2002-2005. This tool provides access to the technical guidance in the ASHRAE Handbook in a searchable, interactive format.

"The CD provides users with the most complete and useful HVACR reference available," said Mark Owen, ASHRAE Handbook editor. "The CD+ contains all Handbook chapters with the latest updates in a searchable electronic format, featuring interactive and supplemental tools."

These tools include:

  • Spreadsheets demonstrating the radiant time series (RTS) method of load calculation;

  • Expanded climatic design data tables from the 2005 Handbook, Fundamentals;

  • NAIMA 3E Plus software for calculating insulation thickness;

  • A desiccant wheel performance estimator;

  • Video clips of kitchen hood airflows;

  • Equipment animations;

  • Interactive charts and spreadsheets;

  • Supplemental examples and text;

  • More links to organizations and data;

  • Color graphics for improved understanding, surpassing the presentation possible in the black-and-white print volumes; and

  • Links to commercial resources that allow users to source products and services related to the topic of each chapter.

    The CD+ contains PDF files of chapters in all four current volumes: 2005 Fundamentals; 2004 HVAC Systems and Equipment; 2003 HVAC Applications; and 2002 Refrigeration. The 3,100+ pages of PDFs are searchable across all the volumes, in both the I-P and SI unit editions.

    The cost of the Handbook CD+ is $499 ($249, ASHRAE members). Prices are for a single user. A multi-user network license and a network HandbookCD+ also are available.

    To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), fax 404-321-5478, by mail at 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, or visit www.ashrae.org.

    Publication date: 09/26/2005