What is the best heating and cooling load calculation for a home?
For residential homes, the best method of calculating heat loss/gain is called a Manual J. This heat and cooling load calculation, developed by Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), can be manually or computer calculated. Most computerized versions provide input values for an easier and faster calculation. Most software versions offer instructions on inputting data. A properly sized HVAC system, combined with a seasonal service check, will provide years of efficient operation.
HVAC Software: When You Replace An HVAC System, A Load Calculation Should Be Done
This dates me, but I remember when you installed or replaced an air conditioning system for a house, you took the square footage of the building, times it by 12, added 6000, and rounded it up to the nearest 1/2 ton (6000 btu/h). For example, a 1200 square foot home = 1200 x 12 + 6000 = 20400 btu/hr. Since 12,000 btu/hr = 1 ton of cooling. The nearest 1/2 ton to 20400 would be 24,000 btu/hr or 2 tons of cooling.
The formula worked well for the old 8 SEER systems. The only R rating we were concerned with then was at the movies (bad joke about thermal resistance). Most houses were heated by gas or oil. When you added air conditioning, you had to change the blower motor and installed a fan center on the furnace. This was for generating higher fan speeds in the air conditioning mode.
That was a long time ago and changes in HVAC technology have greatly improved since then. Energy efficiency is now a concern. Homes are better insulated and engineering improvements to doors and windows have changed exceedingly.
For example, an older home that had single pane window glass, and little or no insulation in the walls or attic, would be sized for a 3 ton AC system. With upgrades to the windows and more insulation in the walls and attic, a new 2.5 ton air conditioning system could now do the same job as the old 3 ton system using less energy. Today, many factors go into calculating the values to correctly size an HVAC system.
The vendors' websites, listed below, contains online information on heating and air conditioning software.
HVAC Computer Programs Online
Benchmark:Design, Estimate, and Fabricate. Benchmark is the collaborative HVAC CAD solution that takes your projects from conception to completion. – http://hvaccadsoftware.com | |
Carrier:HVAC System Design Software | Carrier Building Solutions – carrier.com/commercial/en/us/software/hvac-system-design | |
ComfortAir:Air conditioning sizing made easy, by using ComfortAir HVAC Software for hourly load analysis. – comfortair-software.com | |
Design Master:Learn more about Design Master HVAC, 3D HVAC building information modeling software for AutoCAD. – designmaster.biz/products/hvac | |
DeFNiC Software:Work order software designed for the HVAC, Heating and Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Mechanical service industry. – dispatchedsoftware.com | |
Elite Software:Elite Software - 30 hvac software programs for all aspects of hvac, plumbing and electrical System Design. – elitesoft.com/web/hvacr/elite_rhvacw_info | |
EMS:Load Calc Home – hvacloadcalculator.com | |
FieldEdge:FieldEdge features help mechanical contractors stay more connected, improve tech performance, save office staff time and market better. – fieldedge.com/hvac-software/ | |
Fireline Systems:HVAC Pack Field Service Software designed for QuickBooks for Service Dispatch, Service Scheduling Quick Books, HVAC Service Software Scheduling for Quick Books. – hvacpack.com | |
HVAC Solution:Welcome to HVAC Solution - New HVAC Software Design for HVAC Equipment and Systems. – hvacsolution.com | |
HVAC-Calc:HVAC-Calc: The Heat Gain Heat Loss Calculator... do-it-yourself – hvac-calc.com | |
LoadCalc:Manual J load calculator, HVAC calculation, Whole house- www.loadcalc.net – loadcalc.net | |
ServiceCEO:ServiceCEO software can help your air conditioning service business with management, scheduling, dispatching, billing, and estimating tools; helping you do more with less effort. – serviceceo.com/air-conditioning-software | |
Smart Service:Take your HVAC company to another level with Smart Service, the best HVAC Software for QuickBooks. Schedule and manage your team with ease! | HVAC Software - The Best Software for HVAC Scheduling, HVAC Dispatch, and More. – smartservice.com/hvac-software | |
Wrightsoft:Wrightsoft HVAC software is the complete solution for HVAC load calculations, system design and sales requirements. – wrightsoft.com |