5 Steps to Conduit Tech

Revolutionizing HVAC Design: A 5-Step Guide to Conduit Tech

Conduit Tech compresses hours of design work into a single home visit. But getting the most out of the platform means understanding how each step builds on the one before.

Here's how the process works from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you close the sale.

Step 1: Scan the Home

Everything starts with the scan.

Using the LiDAR sensor in your iPad Pro, you'll walk through the home capturing each room. The scanner measures dimensions, identifies windows and doors, and builds a complete 3D model as you go.

What you're doing: Walk slowly and steadily through each room, keeping the iPad pointed at the walls. The screen shows you what's being captured in real time—white lines indicating surfaces the scanner has mapped.

How long it takes: Most homes take 10-15 minutes to scan completely. Larger or more complex layouts may take slightly longer.

Tips for better scans:

• Scan in segments rather than trying to capture everything in one continuous pass
• Make sure you capture corners and window recesses
• If you get a tracking error, back up to where the scan was solid and continue from there
• Don't rush—steady movement produces cleaner results than speed

Why it matters: The scan replaces tape measuring. Instead of writing down room dimensions, window sizes, and door locations by hand, you're capturing everything digitally with greater accuracy. This data feeds directly into the load calculation.

Step 2: Visualize Equipment

Once the scan is complete, you can show homeowners exactly what new equipment will look like in their space.

What you're doing: Using augmented reality, you place virtual equipment—mini-split heads, outdoor units, thermostats—into the actual rooms. The homeowner sees their living room with a wall-mounted unit right where it would be installed.

How to use it: Select the equipment type from the app, then position it on the wall or floor where installation makes sense. The visualization scales correctly to the room dimensions from your scan.

When to use it:

• When recommending ductless systems where head placement affects aesthetics
• When homeowners are uncertain about how equipment will look
• When comparing different equipment options or placements
• When you want to involve homeowners in deciding where units should go

Why it matters: Homeowners struggle to imagine what they haven't seen. Showing them a realistic visualization of the finished installation removes uncertainty and builds confidence in your recommendation. It also prevents surprises on installation day.

Step 3: Update Building Details

The scan captures geometry. This step adds the construction details that affect load calculations.

What you're doing: Reviewing and adjusting the building characteristics—wall construction, insulation levels, window types, ceiling heights, and ductwork location. The software pulls default values based on property data, but you'll confirm or correct based on what you observe on site.

Key inputs to verify:

• Wall construction: Frame type, insulation presence, exterior finish
• Windows: Number of panes, frame material, low-E coating, shading
• Ceiling/attic: Insulation type and depth, attic access observations
• Foundation: Basement, crawlspace, or slab; insulation status
• Ductwork: Location (conditioned space, attic, crawlspace), insulation, estimated leakage

How to approach it: You don't need to open walls. Use visual clues—age of home, window stickers, attic inspection if accessible, homeowner knowledge of past upgrades. When uncertain, the defaults based on construction era are reasonable starting points.

Why it matters: A load calculation is only as accurate as its inputs. Room dimensions from the scan are precise. Building characteristics require your judgment. Taking a few minutes to verify these details produces results you can stand behind.

Step 4: Present Results

Now you show the homeowner what their home needs and why.

What you're presenting:

• 3D model: Their home, captured digitally, showing every room and window
• 2D floor plans: Professional layouts with dimensions
• Load calculation results: Heating and cooling requirements in BTUs, broken down by room
• Equipment recommendations: Systems sized to match the calculated load
• Homeowner report: A customer-facing summary they can keep

How to present effectively:

• Start with the 3D model—it's visually impressive and shows you've thoroughly evaluated their home
• Walk through the load calculation basics without overwhelming with numbers
• Connect the recommendation to their specific situation: "Your home needs X BTUs of cooling. This system delivers exactly that."
• Use the room-by-room breakdown if they have specific comfort concerns

Why it matters: This is where you differentiate from competitors who show up with a clipboard and quote a price. You're showing data, demonstrating expertise, and proving your recommendation isn't arbitrary. Homeowners buy from contractors they trust, and transparency builds trust.

Step 5: Leverage Automated Data

Everything you've captured flows into documentation that serves multiple purposes.

What's generated automatically:

• Manual J report: ACCA-certified load calculation documentation for permits and rebates
• Homeowner report: Customer-friendly summary of findings and recommendations
• Equipment sizing guidance: Data to support proper system selection
• Installation documentation: Dimensions, photos, and specifications for your install team

How to use it:

• For permits: Submit the Manual J report with your application. It meets code requirements.
• For rebates: Many utility programs require load calculations. The documentation is ready to attach.
• For install teams: Share the 3D model and floor plans so installers arrive knowing exactly what they're walking into.
• For follow-up: If the homeowner doesn't sign immediately, you have professional documentation to send that reinforces your credibility.

Why it matters: The data you captured for the sale does double duty. It supports your installation quality, streamlines permit and rebate paperwork, and creates a record you can reference for future service. One scan, multiple uses.

Putting It Together

The five steps flow naturally during a single home visit:

1. Scan while introducing yourself and building rapport
2. Visualize equipment options with the homeowner present
3. Update building details based on your observations
4. Present results and recommendations before you leave
5. Leverage the documentation for everything that comes after

Total time on site: 45-60 minutes for a complete design consultation and proposal, versus multiple visits with traditional methods.

The contractors seeing the best results aren't just using Conduit Tech as a measurement tool. They're using it as a sales tool—a way to demonstrate expertise, build trust, and close deals in a single visit.

Ready to see the five steps in action? Book a demo and we'll walk you through the entire process.