how to get cooling load calculations for commercial buildings

1) Google "Heat Load", "Heat Load Calculations", etc. etc.

2) Check out Manufacturers' websites. Carrier has excellent educational materials available at very modest cost, but they aren't the only one. A little web surfing can pay off handsomely.

3) http://www.acca.org/

Friend,

Unfortunately, all such methods come with assumptions and therefore risks of errors. In general, if you have actual metered consumption data and the necessary climate data (such as heating or cooling "degree days" and solar gain figures) you can then check your calculated numbers to see how valid these assumptions are in your particular case. This takes work and some experience.

There are a number of good textbooks available which can help you. Look in the topics of energy conservation, solar energy design, and even energy engineering.

Here are a few of the many assumptions you will encounter:

• Air infiltration is a percentage of building area, or of window area, or of wall area...
• Internal gain from occupants and lighting is ignored or is constant.
• Your building is typical.
• Insulation was applied according to manufacturer's directions.
• Solar gain is ignored.
• Mass construction can use the same calculations as light-weight construction.
• A certain amount of fresh air (in volume per occupant) is needed at all times.
• The recommended levels of insulation today are going to be adequate for the life span of the building.

The best teacher in this is experience of your own and of others. Be willing to question assumptions and ask "why" or "are you sure".

--John M.

Go here and happy christmas

http://www.constructionbook.com/acca-manual-n-commercial-load-calculation-1-892765-11-x/acca-standards/

There are several software cooling load calculation programs. I have used Elite Software program for many years and have found it to be effective and easy to use. There CHVAC is for commercial loads and The RHVAC is for residential loads. Check their web site for a sample you can play with. Two important issues are the amount of outdoor air to allow for the building which takes some learning and the outdoor air design conditions used for your locations may be alittle higher than shown in the weather data, check with a local HVAC Company or Cansulting Firm.

Other software is Wright Sofware, also air conditioning companys like Carrier Air Conditioning have cooling load progrms for commercial and residential.

Would CHVAC is for commercial loads work for an industiral warehouse in Bakersfield or is it more for office buildings?

CHVAC can work for any commercial building weather it be a Warehouse, Retail Store or Office Building. The cooling load is going to depend on your inputs for roof, wall, floor, windows, partitions, lights, people, pc's, heat producing equipment, and outdoor for ventilation, etc. The program contains weather data for USA States and Cities as while other Countries. Should this be your first time doing a cooling load you may need help. I think Elite offers shooling for their program. Good Luck

JimGoo,

Welcome to CR4. I wonder if RHVAC or CHVAC will work with mass construction such as ICFs (insulated concrete forms)? With these on an outside wall, the traditional R-value is around 20-25, but the performance during a typical heating or cooling season is closer to 45-50 in most of the USA (lower in the northern areas and higher in the southern). This difference can add a lot of error to the calculations.

Thanks--JMM

The RHVAC and CHVAC will preform a cooling and heating load for almost any type building I can think of, your use of insulate concete forms (ICFs) for the structure is not a problem, for the program allows you to use your owe U-Factors for walls, roof, windows etc. Many times I have calculated the U-Factor for a wall or roof using the R value of each element ( U = 1/R ). We calculated a cooling load for a Hotel project we did that was build using ICFs. I guess I am saying if you can calculated or know the R value for each element of the building and use the correct indoor design conditions ( std. 75 deg. & 50% RH ) and outdoor design conditions for your area then the load calculation for the building will be fine.

Try the sample load on line from Elite. Let me know how you make out.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Jim G

Try Trace 700. It is easy to use and you could also download a keygen file for its trial software.

Good luck!

BR,

Neil Reguine, RME