1. What Is Heat Load Calculation?

Heat load calculation is a fundamental HVAC engineering process that determines the total heating or cooling capacity required to maintain comfortable indoor conditions. It accounts for all heat gains and losses in a space.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental heat load equation:

Where:

• \( Sensible \) — Heat that changes air temperature (BTU/hr)
• \( Latent \) — Heat associated with moisture changes (BTU/hr)
• \( Infiltration \) — Heat from air leakage (BTU/hr)
• \( Total Load \) — Total HVAC system capacity required (BTU/hr)

Explanation: This formula represents the comprehensive approach to calculating the total thermal load that an HVAC system must handle to maintain desired indoor conditions.

3. Importance Of Heat Load Analysis

Details: Accurate heat load calculation is essential for proper HVAC system sizing, energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and preventing system short-cycling or inadequate performance.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter sensible, latent, and infiltration loads in BTU/hr. All values must be non-negative. The calculator will sum all components to determine the total HVAC load requirement.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is sensible heat load?
A: Sensible heat load refers to the heat that causes a change in air temperature without phase change, including solar radiation, equipment heat, and occupant body heat.

Q2: What is latent heat load?
A: Latent heat load involves moisture-related heat from sources like human respiration, cooking, bathing, and other activities that add humidity to the air.

Q3: What is infiltration load?
A: Infiltration load accounts for heat transfer through air leakage around windows, doors, and building envelope imperfections.

Q4: Why is proper load calculation important?
A: Oversized systems waste energy and reduce comfort, while undersized systems cannot maintain temperature and humidity levels.

Q5: What factors affect heat load calculations?
A: Building orientation, insulation, window types, occupancy, lighting, equipment, climate, and building usage patterns all influence heat load.