PRESS RELEASE

    Version 6.2 of Building Efficiency System Tool™ (BEST) Now Available for Download

    Version 6.2 of Building Efficiency System Tool™ (BEST) Now Available for Download

    Ontario, Calif. — Version 6.2 of the Radiant Professionals Alliance’s (RPA) Building Efficiency System Tool (BEST), an interactive commercial building HVAC system efficiency comparison application, is now available for download HERE. The enhanced BEST 6.2 focuses attention on energy use, including up to four selected systems in one life-cycle comparison report that utilizes historical design temperatures to determine peak energy demand and the energy utilization index (EUI).

    The latest version of BEST addresses the challenge of sustainability and decarbonization tactics to use less energy. The application helps identify the choices clearly by utilizing data from projects throughout the United States. BEST 6.2 now includes up to 10 building types per 1,000 U.S.-based locations, based on weather, load and utility rates provided by trusted sources. 

    “Our industry is changing rapidly and utilizing digital modeling tools can help us to make informed decisions about building systems and the options we have,” said John A. Mullen, technical liaison to the Radiant Professionals Alliance and director of technical services and research with The IAPMO Group.

    BEST 6.2 includes a Demand Energy Efficiency Ratio (DEER) tab that makes it easier than ever to compare energy demand to existing efficiency ratings.

    “When you use BEST software for system design, you get a side-by-side comparison of up to four system types,” said Greg Cunniff, head of Application Engineering for the Hydronics Industry Alliance (HIA), the RPA committee responsible for the development of BEST. “This free tool can help determine the return on investment for building owners who looking to have the most efficient building on the block or benchmark their current use for long-range capital planning.”

    Upon its introduction in 2016, BEST solved a long-standing industry issue of being able to accurately compare different styles of HVAC systems, which are all tested to different standards, with various efficiency ratings (EER, IEER, SEER, COP, HSPF), as they are applied in an actual building.

    To learn more about the HIA and the RPA, or to join this important efficiency advocacy effort, visit www.hia-c.org and www.radiantpros.org. Please contact John Mullen at john.mullen@iapmo.org or (631) 994-4774 for any questions on the RPA and the BEST software.

    IAPMO, ASPE, ASSE International, ARCSA International Join Into Renewed MoU Outlining Future Collaboration

    02 September 2025

    IAPMO® and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), now incorporating ASSE International and ARCSA International, to jointly advance and promote the mutual interests of education, regulations, design, specifications, installation, and inspection of plumbing systems, as well as training, testing and certifying qualified professionals to perform design work responsive to the need to conserve and protect water supplies, and reduce energy use connected to delivery and use of water.

    Report on Comments Toward Development of 2027 UPC, UMC Now Available for Online Download

    01 August 2025

    IAPMO®, developer of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®), has posted online the 2025 Report on Comments (ROC) for the 2027 editions of these American National Standard-designated model codes. The ROC includes the committee actions as discussed during the May 6-8 technical committee meetings, the electronic ballot results as balloted between May 19-June 16, and the Technical Correlating Committee actions on all comments received for the 2027 editions.

    Scroll to top