1. What is an AC Heat Load Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the total heat load for air conditioning systems by summing cooling and heating loads.

Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals and engineers properly size AC systems for optimal performance and energy efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Load \) — Total heat load (Watts)
• \( Q_{cool} \) — Cooling load component (Watts)
• \( Q_{heat} \) — Heating load component (Watts)

Explanation: The total thermal load on an AC system is the sum of all cooling and heating requirements in the space.

3. Importance of Heat Load Calculation

Details: Accurate heat load calculations ensure proper AC sizing, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort while preventing system short-cycling or inadequate capacity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the cooling load (Q_cool) and heating load (Q_heat) in watts. Both values must be ≥ 0. The calculator will sum them to find the total load.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's included in cooling load (Q_cool)?
A: This includes heat from solar radiation, occupants, lighting, equipment, and building envelope heat transfer.

Q2: What factors affect heating load (Q_heat)?
A: Includes heat loss through walls/windows, ventilation requirements, and desired temperature rise above outdoor conditions.

Q3: How do I find Q_cool and Q_heat values?
A: Use manual J calculations, heat transfer formulas, or specialized HVAC design software.

Q4: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Yes, typical practice adds 10-20% to the calculated load for safety margin and future changes.

Q5: What if I only know BTU values?
A: Convert BTU/hr to Watts by multiplying by 0.293071 before entering values.