Getting Started

Getting Started With AkWarm

The dialog box that appears after you click on the AkWarm icon to open the program will only allow you to obtain unofficial access to AkWarm. Click "OK". AkWarm automatically opens to a new building file each time you start the program. You will give the document a unique name when you save it. At the top of the screen, below the Menu Bar, is an AkWarm Button Bar, which will navigate you through the series of input windows - from Client Information to General House Data, Shell Descriptions, Air Infiltration and Ventilation, Heating Systems, Hot Water and Other Appliances - until you reach the final Calculate button, which will show you the results of your inputs and allow you to print out reports. 

 AkWarm's User-friendly Features

AkWarm has many features to guide you and make data entry consistent, accurate and painless. 

  • On-line Help that is both context sensitive and a complete user manual
  • Area calculators that will perform on-screen mathematical calculations when you enter individual values
  • Wizards that will automatically describe standard shell items, but still allow you to edit them
  • Automatic checking for missing entries, description errors, and calculation warnings
  • Drop-down lists of a great variety of building and insulating materials, windows, doors, heating and hot water systems that include detailed information and provide default values if exact values are unavailable. 

    AkWarm Improvement Options

     SHELL ITEMS:

    Name: Component Type: Life:
    2x4 studs: ADD Blown-in Dense-pack Above-Grade Wall 20
    2x4 studs: ADD Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Wall 20
    2x4 studs: REPLACE with Blown-in Dense-pack Above-Grade Wall 20
    2x4 studs: REPLACE with Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Wall 20
    2x6 studs: ADD Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Wall 20
    2x6 studs: REPLACE with Blown-in Dense-pack Above-Grade Wall 20
    2x6 studs: REPLACE with Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Wall 20
    Add rigid foam to interior Above-Grade Wall 20
    Add rigid foam to exterior Above-Grade Wall 20
    2x6 studs: ADD Blown-in Dense-pack Above-Grade Wall 20
    2x4 studs: ADD Blown-in Dense-pack Below- (part or all) Grade Wall 20
    2x4 studs: ADD Fiberglass Batts Below- (part or all) Grade Wall 20
    2x4 studs: REPLACE with blown-in dense-pack Below-(part or all) Grade Wall 20
    2x4 studs: REPLACE with Fiberglass Batts Below- (part or all) Grade Wall 20
    2x6 studs: ADD Blown-in Dense-pack Below- (part or all) Grade Wall 20
    2x6 studs: ADD fiberglass batts Below- (part or all) Grade Wall 20
    2x6 studs: REPLACE with Blown-in Dense-pack Below- (part or all) Grade Wall 20
    2x6 studs: REPLACE with Fiberglass Batts Below- (part or all) Grade Wall 20
    Add rigid foam to interior Below- (part or all) Grade all 20
    Add rigid foam to exterior Below- (part or all) Grade Wall 20
    Replace door with solid core wood door Exterior Door 20
    Replace door with metal insulated door Exterior Door 20
    Add storm door Exterior Door 20
    Install storm window on exterior Window/Skylight 20
    Install storm window on interior Window/Skylight 20
    Replace window with vinyl window Window/Skylight 20
    Replace window with wood window Window/Skylight 20
    Replace glass with double pane glass Window/Skylight 20
    Replace glass with triple pane glass Window/Skylight 20
    Add Loose-fill Cellulose Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Add dense-pack cellulose Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Add fiberglass Batts Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Add rigid foam to interior Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Add rigid foam to exterior Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Replace with Loose-fill Cellulose Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Replace with Fiberglass Batts Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Replace with dense-pack cellulose Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Add Loose-fill Fiberglass Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    Replace with Loose-fill Fiberglass Ceiling w/ Attic 20
    2x6 cavity: ADD Fiberglass batts - faced Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x6 cavity: ADD Blown-in Dense-Pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x6 cavity: Replace with Fiberglass batts Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x6 cavity: Replace with Blown-in Dense-Pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x8 cavity: ADD Blown-in Dense-Pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x8 cavity: ADD Fiberglass Batts Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x8 cavity: Replace with Blown-in Dense-Pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x8 cavity: Replace with Fiberglass Batts Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x10 cavity: ADD Fiberglass Batts Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x10 cavity: ADD Blown-in Dense-pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x10 partly filled: Add R-13 Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x10 cavity: Replace with Fiberglass Batts Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x10 cavity: Replace with Blown-in Dense-pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x10 partly filled: Replace with R-13 Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x12: Add R-38 Fiberglass Batts Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x12: Add R-38 Blown-in Dense-Pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x12: Add R-19 Blown-in Dense-Pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x12: Replace with R-38 Fiberglass Batts Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x12: Replace with R-38 Blown-in Dense-Pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x12: Replace with R-19 Blown-in Dense-Pack Cathedral Ceiling 20
    Add rigid board insulation Cathedral Ceiling 20
    2x6 cavity: ADD Fiberglass batts - faced Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x6 cavity: ADD Blown-in Dense-Pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x6 cavity: Replace with Fiberglass batts Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x6 cavity: Replace with Blown-in Dense-Pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x8 cavity: ADD Blown-in Dense-Pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x8 cavity: ADD Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x8 cavity: Replace with Blown-in Dense-Pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x8 cavity: Replace with Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x10 cavity: ADD Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x10 cavity: ADD Blown-in Dense-pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x10 partly filled: Add R-13 Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x10 cavity: Replace with Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x10 cavity: Replace with Blown-in Dense-pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x10 partly filled: Replace with R-13 Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x12: Add R-38 Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x12: Add R-38 Blown-in Dense-Pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x12: Add R-19 Blown-in Dense-Pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x12: Replace with R-38 Fiberglass Batts Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x12: Replace with R-38 Blown-in Dense-Pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    2x12: Replace with R-19 Blown-in Dense-Pack Above-Grade Floor 20
    Add rigid board insulation Above-Grade Floor 20
    Add rigid board insulation On- or Below-Grade Floor, Perimeter 20
    Replace with rigid board insulation On- or Below-Grade Floor, Perimeter 20

     

    HEATING SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

    Name: Equipment Type: Life:
    Ground Source Heat Pump Electric 20
    Heating System Tune-up Gas/Propane 5
    Direct-vent Space Heater - 22,000 Btu Gas/Propane 20
    New Boiler - 100,000-120,000 Btu Gas/Propane 20
    New Boiler - 60,000-80,000 Btu Gas/Propane 20
    New Furnace Gas/Propane 20
    Direct-vent Space Heater Oil 20
    New Boiler -120,00 Btu Oil 20
    New Boiler -60,000-80,000 Btu Oil 20
    New Furnace Oil 20

     

    WATER HEATER REPLACEMENTS

    Name: Equipment Type: Life:
    Tank-Type Replacement Electric 12
    Tank-Type Replacement Gas/Propane 15
    Indirect Hotwater Maker Replacement Gas/Propane 15

     

    MISCELLANEOUS IMPROVEMENTS

    Name: Life:
    Setback Thermostat 15
    Vent Damper 15
    Modulating Aquastat 15
    Flame Retention Burner 15


     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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