About LoadCalc: A load calculation program based on Manual J, designed to be quick and easy to use. It calculates the amount of heating and cooling BTU's needed for the whole house.
Getting started: Select a State or Province; afterwards you will then be given a choice of cities, airports or other major locations. After the location is chosen enter in the the structure values, insulation etc. On the bottom left of the screen there will be an button to click that will explain more details.
Only data for the US and Canada is listed so for other countries choose 'X-Unlisted'. You can change the default values to fit your climate.
Internet Explorer users: In version 8 or lower, some of the dropdown items may be cut off.
Photo via Shutterstock HVAC contractors use a Manual J calculation to determine the heating and cooling loads of a home or building, and recommend the capacity of HVAC equipment needed. It's one of the tools published by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America to help HVAC contractors design a heating and air conditioning system. A new online tool lets contracts complete the complex task in about a minute.
By using Manual J methodology, HVAC designers are able to accurately determine the total amount of heat that is lost through the exterior of a home during the cooler months, and the total amount of heat that is gained through the exterior of a home during the warmer months. Through a complex series of calculations and inputs, the HVAC designer is able to analyze all aspects of the thermal characteristics of every wall, floor, ceiling, door and window. In addition, an HVAC load calculation also takes into consideration other factors such as the home's geographic location, orientation to the sun, envelope tightness, duct leakage, lights and appliances. ACCA's Manual J even calculates the amount of heat and humidity that each occupant of the house will add to the interior of the home. Understandably, properly performing a Manual J calculation can take some time.
A new tool developed by Distributor Corporation of New England (DCNE) promises to streamline the process of calculating home energy performance. The Cool Calc Manual J tool enables contractors to leverage the power of big data to measure a home’s HVAC needs before making a house call.
The tool is the result of two years of development by a team at DCNE. Launched earlier this year, Cool Calc is one of only seven products to earn the coveted ' approval for full residential load calculation from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, and is the only ACCA-approved Manual J calculator available free online. It is fully compliant with ANSI/ACCA 8th Edition Version 2 and was featured at the ComfortTech trade show in St.
Louis in September 2015. Cool Calc uses advanced geospatial algorithms to process publicly-available Lidar data and Ortho imagery, allowing it to automatically detect a building’s footprint, wall area, ceiling area, floor area and exposures. The software uses a home's property tax records and location to automatically select the building materials required to meet local building codes during construction. By combining the dimensional data with the material selection, a contractor can perform an ACCA-approved manual J in less than one minute.
“This tool is designed to help contractors serve customers more efficiently,” said Nancy Kolligian, DCNE President and Chief Executive Officer. “By leveraging technology, this product can lower the cost of new customer acquisitions. It’s not designed to replace site visits, but aims to create a more efficient home visit.” A contractor or office administrator can use Cool Calc to perform a preliminary Manual J calculation prior to going out to a job site. They can then refine the results from a mobile phone or tablet right from the home, rather than starting from scratch. Cool Calc is designed for technicians with varying levels of technical proficiency.
The software is Web-based and uses a responsive design. It can be used on any Internet connected device. “Our goal from day one was to develop a product that requires no formal training,” said Kolligian. For more details visit. Read more about.
My wife and I employed David Brown to design HVAC for our dream retirement home. David gave us a great usable working plan, one that we could do some of the work ourselves. David helped us with sizing requirements and with some space difficulties. David told us he would not be finished with the plan until we were happy with the plan.
We couldn't be happier with the working plan that David provided for us. After living for years in a house where the plumber designed the system and all the faults that came with that we are looking forward to the comfort provided by ConsultAir in our custom designed plan. David's fee has been the best money we've spent on our house so far. You just can't go wrong with ConsultAir and David Brown.” Rod Williamson – Grand Saline, TX.
I recently contracted with ConsultAir to perform a Manual J, S, and D for a custom home i am building (General Contractor). The experience was very positive. I had previously performed a Manual J analysis on an install i did about a year ago, so i have some experience on what to look for.
David Brown was very thorough about collecting all the data needed to get the most accurate heat loss, heat gain, equipment and duct sizing. He was particularly good at explaining the various options for fresh air recovery as well as the benefits of single stage, two stage, and modulating equipment. His expertise helped catch a few errors that would have been made by the HVAC contractor. Great experience!” Mike Capozzi – Fall Church, New Jersey. Building codes illustrated a guide to understanding the 2012 in.
Residential HVAC Design Procedures and Energy Code Compliance Knowledge To properly design a complete HVAC system, there are three fundamental procedures that should always be followed:. ACCA. Manual J Load Calculation. ACCA. Manual S Equipment Selection.
ACCA. Manual D Duct Design Due to the ever growing presence of new building materials, advanced insulation systems, and efficient ventilation systems, it’s impossible to use rule-of-thumb sizing methods and consistently achieve accurate and energy saving results. ACCA: Air Conditioning Contractors of America. ACCA’s Manual J is the first step in the design process of a new heating and air conditioning system.
By following the Manual J methodology, HVAC designers are able to accurately determine the total amount of heat that is lost through the exterior of a home during the cooler months, and the total amount of heat that is gained through the exterior of a home during the warmer months. Through a complex series of calculations and inputs, the HVAC designer is able to analyze all aspects of the thermal characteristics of every wall, floor, ceiling, door and window. In addition, an HVAC load calculation also takes into consideration other factors such as the home’s geographic location, orientation to the sun, envelope tightness, duct leakage, lights and appliances. ACCA’s Manual J even calculates the amount of heat and humidity that each occupant of the house will add to the interior of the home. There are two types of Manual J load calculations:. Whole House (Block) HVAC Load Calculations Whole House or Block HVAC Load Calculations provide the heating and cooling loads for the entire home. This type of load calculation is used when there is no need to design or modify an existing duct system.
Whole house load calculations are commonly used to determine the correct HVAC equipment size and match-up that is required when replacing the HVAC system in an existing home. Room-by-Room Load Calculations Room-by-Room Load Calculations provide the heating and cooling loads for each individual room within the home. In addition to the information produced by a block load calculation, the Room-by-Room method also determines the amount of air that is required to heat and cool each individual room.
This information is critical when determining the individual duct sizes as well as the size and overall layout of the duct system.According to the International Code Council (ICC), “Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J”. Once a Manual J load calculation has been completed, the HVAC designer will have the information required to accurately select the proper HVAC equipment. The equipment selection is based on performance criteria such as the equipment’s total capacity to remove heat and moisture from the air as well as how much total air, and at what pressure, the system can produce. This is important to note because one manufacturer’s 3 ton HVAC system can perform significantly different than another manufacturer’s 3 ton system. In addition, a 3 ton system that is installed in Maryland is going to perform differently than the identical 3 ton system would perform if it was installed in Houston.
Manual D is the ACCA method used to determine the overall duct lay-out including the individual duct sizes. To design a duct system, the HVAC system designer must have completed a Room-by-Room Manual J load calculation as well as a Manual S equipment selection. All to often, duct systems are created using rule-of-thumb methods in lieu of using Manual J, Manual S and Manual D. This practice is the predominant reason for complaints of temperature differentials throughout a home as well as complaints of excessive noise caused by air velocity that exceeds the maximum allowed by Manual D.
Manual J Heat Load Sheet For Trucking
Most states require that the overall energy efficiency of a residential construction project must be calculated and reported in order to qualify for the appropriate construction permits. In addition, most state energy codes require that an ACCA Manual J heat load calculation be performed on the construction project, and that the heating and cooling equipment must be sized per ACCA Manual S. While energy codes vary from state to state, in general there are 2 different paths that can be followed to determine if a construction project meets your state’s energy codes.
Prescriptive Method The Prescriptive Method has pre-assigned minimum values such as; thermal resistance (R-value), thermal transmittance (u-value) and solar transmittance (shgc), for each component of the building. This approach is quick and easy to use, but many users find it somewhat restrictive because the requirements are typically based on worst-case assumptions and all requirements must be met exactly as specified. Energy code compliance using the prescriptive method is usually not the most cost effective path to follow to achieve energy code compliance. Performance Method The Performance Method allows more flexibility by allowing one energy saving measure to be traded for another.
Each energy saving measure is assigned points or credits. The total points/credits for each area must meet the minimum total points required to qualify for the building permit. Typically, this method is less restrictive than prescriptive approaches because components that exceed the requirements can compensate for those that do not meet the code. ConsultAir can provide you with the energy code compliance certificates and reports, also known as energy sheets, that may be required to qualify for your next building permit. A properly designed gas piping system will insure that the system will provide sufficient gas to meet the maximum demand of the gas equipment and that it will supply enough fuel for all appliances to operate at the same time. When designing a gas piping system, one must consider:.
Loss of pressure from point of delivery to appliance. Max gas demand. Length of piping and number of fittings. Specific gravity of the gas.
Diversity factor Gas piping systems are designed based on the gas pressure at the point of delivery (gas meter). The three most common pressures that are used in residential gas piping systems are:. Low Pressure 6 to 7 inches water column (equivalent to 4 ounces or ¼ pound) is the standard pressure supplied by natural gas utilities in the USA and Canada. Medium Pressure 1/2 PSI (12 to 14 inches water column) is available from many natural gas utilities as an alternate pressure supply. The increase in pressure provides for reductions in pipe size and does not require a pressure regulator. Most natural gas appliances manufactured for use in the US and Canada are designed to operate up to a maximum of 14 inches water column. Elevated Pressure 2 PSI is the highest natural gas pressure usually supplied within residential buildings in North America.
This pressure always requires the installation of a gas pressure regulator between the gas meter set and the appliances. Propane (LP Gas) is also used in residential gas piping systems. Propane is typically supplied to residential buildings at 11–13 inches of water column. For 2 PSI propane elevated pressure piping systems, use a line gas pressure regulator that is set for 11 inches water column outlet pressure. PRESSURE CONVERSION CHART 1/4 PSI = 7″ w.c.
1/2 PSI = 14″ w.c. 1 PSI = 28″ w.c. 2 PSI = 56″ w.c. Hybrid Gas Piping Systems Flexible gas pipe and rigid black pipe (galvanized pipe if near the coast) combinations. It is often advantageous to use both corrugated stainless steel tubing (flexible gas pipe) and rigid pipe in the same system when elevated gas pressure is available. Using this type of system can often give you a distinct advantage over your competition.
For more information, contact ConsultAir. The information provided above is not related to any specific gas appliance. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions when installing gas piping and or gas appliances.
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