HVAKR

HVAKR operates a cloud-based platform for mechanical (HVAC) design that consolidates the steps of the design process into one environment: developing a basis of design, taking off and zoning spaces from imported floor plans, performing load calculations, sizing equipment, designing duct systems, and exporting PDF and CSV reports. Users upload architectural PDFs or floor plan images, and the system scans for spaces, selects weather stations and builds a basis of design; space types, ventilation rates, indoor design temperatures, lighting and equipment loads are pulled from ASHRAE 62.1, with envelope assemblies and U-values drawn from ASHRAE 90.1 tables or firm templates. All assumptions are editable, and changes cascade automatically from loads through airflows to duct sizes.

The product is positioned against desktop load-calculation tools and spreadsheets used in mechanical consultancies, where loads are typically run in packages such as Trane Trace or Carrier HAP and distribution is drawn in a separate CAD layer. HVAKR keeps loads and duct layout in one project so that a glazing or occupancy change propagates in a single pass. An AI layer, marketed as a mechanical design agent, performs initial project setup from an architectural drawing and a natural-language prompt, models spaces, assigns zoning, defines envelope properties, accepts bulk edits in plain English, and answers analytical queries such as identifying spaces with the highest cooling load per square foot. Announced future capabilities include automated diffuser placement, generative duct routing and A-versus-B system comparisons.

The platform is delivered as SaaS with a web application and a Revit plugin for BIM coordination, and supports gbXML and project data export on higher tiers. Third-party directory coverage classifies it under MEP engineering, covering schematic design and design development phases for commercial and residential project types.

Founding story

The platform was built between 2021 and 2023 by co-founders Andres Krippner (CEO) and Davis Muxlow (COO), with development assistance from Dayton Muxlow; a directory listing describes the two founders as Cal Poly alumni mechanical engineers.

Business model

Subscription software sold directly to mechanical engineering firms and individual engineers, with seat-based tiers and metered AI credits, supported by demos, free trials and onboarding.

Recurring per-seat subscriptions across three published tiers: HVAKR Solo at $200/month billed yearly or $240/month billed monthly for one seat; HVAKR Team at $800/month yearly or $960/month monthly for three seats, with additional seats at $67/month (yearly) or $80/month (monthly) up to 20 seats; and HVAKR Enterprise at custom pricing for teams of 20 or more. Plans bundle monthly AI credits (1,500 for Solo, 10,000 for Team, 100,000 for Enterprise), with additional credits sold at $10 per 1,000. Yearly billing is presented as two months free. A separate engineering services option is referenced alongside the platform.

Traction

The website states that hundreds of engineering teams use the platform and displays a 4.7/5 G2 rating, sections for firms it is trusted by, backers and press coverage. Trade press reports the company has matured from a bootstrapped start-up to actively onboarding MEP consultancies; a directory listing describes early adopters in beta with no documented public case studies.

Latest developments

The company has launched its AI mechanical design agent and enterprise-grade controls (SSO/SCIM, audit logs, model access policies, zero-data-retention options), and has announced planned work on automated diffuser placement, generative duct routing and A-versus-B system comparisons.