Up front
BuildSolver is not ACCA-approved for permit submittal. This page explains when permit-grade Manual J is required and when it isn’t. For permit submission, use Wrightsoft Right-Suite Universal or Cool Calc — both are ACCA-certified.
Use case
Manual J for the sales phase — when permit-grade isn’t required (yet).
Contractors quote ten jobs a week. Maybe two of them ever go to permit. The other eight need a defensible number to win the bid — not a stamped submittal. This page is about the difference, why it matters, and which tool fits each.
Example sales-phase quote
1,600 sq.ft single-family · Tampa, FL 33602 · contractor quoting phase, before permit application is filed. Sized to defend the bid.
FOR ESTIMATION ONLY · ACCA MJ8 §6.4
01 · The two phases
Sales phase vs permit phase.
| Aspect | Sales phase | Permit phase |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Win the bid; size equipment for proposal | AHJ submittal |
| Detail level | Block load with code defaults | Room-by-room with measured inputs |
| Tool | BuildSolver (this site) | Wrightsoft, Cool Calc (ACCA-approved) |
| Output | Estimation PDF, audit trail | Stamped submittal accepted by AHJ |
| Time | ~90 seconds | 1–3 hours including data collection |
| ACCA certification | No (BuildSolver is not certified) | Yes (Wrightsoft, Cool Calc are) |
02 · When AHJ actually requires Manual J
The honest answer: it varies.
Most US jurisdictions adopting current IECC editions require a load calculation on permit submittal — and Manual J is the de facto standard. State-by-state at a glance:
- Texas— TX SB 1017 (2021) tightened residential energy code. Most jurisdictions require Manual J; some defer to the contractor’s engineer of record. No statewide enforcement.
- California — Title 24 Part 6 effectively requires a load calculation. Software must produce Title 24-compliant output.
- Florida — Florida Building Code Energy Conservation requires Manual J on residential permit submittals. FBC adoption cycle moves every 3 years.
- Arizona, Georgia — IECC-based requirements vary by city. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Atlanta typically require Manual J; smaller jurisdictions defer.
Requirements change. Always verify with the local AHJ before submitting — this is contractor due diligence, not legal advice.
03 · What we tell our users
Use BuildSolver to win the job. Use Wrightsoft to ship the permit.
BuildSolver is for the call where you need a defensible number in 90 seconds — at the homeowner’s kitchen table, in a driveway, on a phone. The result PDF is stamped FOR ESTIMATION ONLY so there’s no ambiguity about how it should be used.
Once the job is yours and you’re pulling a permit, run the full Manual J in Wrightsoft Right-Suite Universal or Cool Calc. Both are ACCA-certified, both produce stamped output AHJs accept, and both handle the room-by-room detail and ventilation calculations the permit-grade workflow requires.
04 · FAQ
Common questions about Manual J and permits.
+Is Manual J required for every HVAC permit?
No, but the trend is toward yes. Code adoption varies by state and AHJ. Most jurisdictions following the current IECC require some form of load calculation on permit submittal; many specifically require ACCA Manual J 8th Edition. Check with the local building department before assuming.
+What states require Manual J for permits?
Requirements vary by city and county, not just state. As a general guide, jurisdictions adopting current IECC editions typically require Manual J: Texas (TX SB 1017 + local), California (Title 24), Florida (FBC Energy), Arizona (AHJ-by-city), Georgia (IECC adoption). Always verify with the AHJ before submittal — codes change frequently.
+Can I use BuildSolver for a permit application?
No. BuildSolver is not ACCA-approved and does not produce a stamped Manual J submittal. The result PDF is explicitly marked FOR ESTIMATION ONLY. For permit submission, use Wrightsoft Right-Suite Universal or Cool Calc — both are ACCA-certified and produce documents AHJs accept.
+What's the difference between sales-phase and permit-grade Manual J?
Sales-phase Manual J runs at building-level inputs with code defaults — block load only, no blueprint required. Permit-grade is room-by-room, uses measured infiltration data when required, includes ventilation per IECC R403.6, and is run in an ACCA-approved package so an AHJ accepts the printout. Same underlying procedures, different scope and audit requirements.
+Does Texas require Manual J?
Most Texas jurisdictions adopting the current IECC require some form of load calculation, with Manual J the de facto standard. Some cities defer to the contractor’s engineer of record. TX SB 1017 (2021) tightened residential energy code adoption. Verify with the local AHJ — Texas does not have statewide enforcement.
+Does California require Manual J?
California Title 24 Part 6 (current cycle) effectively requires a load calculation for permit submittal on most projects. The required forms include Manual J output or equivalent. Software must produce Title 24-compliant output — Wrightsoft and Cool Calc both handle this; BuildSolver does not.
+What tool should I use for permit-grade Manual J?
Wrightsoft Right-Suite Universal is the industry standard. Cool Calc is a strong web-based alternative with ACCA certification. Both produce stamped output AHJs accept. BuildSolver is for the sales phase that comes before any of this — quoting the job, sizing the equipment for the proposal, deciding whether to bid.
For sales-phase sizing — try BuildSolver.
For permit submittal — Wrightsoft Right-Suite Universal or Cool Calc. Honest recommendations; we don’t earn anything from those links.
Calculate yours