1. What is HVAC Tonnage?

HVAC tonnage refers to the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system, measured in tons. One ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour), which represents the amount of heat required to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard HVAC tonnage formula:

Where:

• \( Tons \) — HVAC cooling capacity in tons
• \( Total\ Heat\ Load \) — Total heat load in BTU/h
• \( 12,000 \) — Conversion factor (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h)

Explanation: This calculation determines the appropriate HVAC system size needed to handle the total heat load in industrial spaces, ensuring efficient cooling and energy consumption.

3. Importance of HVAC Sizing

Details: Proper HVAC sizing is crucial for industrial applications. Oversized systems short cycle, reducing efficiency and humidity control, while undersized systems cannot maintain comfortable temperatures and work continuously.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total heat load in BTU/h. This value should include all heat sources in the industrial space including equipment, lighting, occupants, and solar gain. The calculator will determine the required HVAC capacity in tons.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What factors contribute to total heat load?
A: Industrial heat loads include equipment heat, lighting, solar radiation through windows/roofs, occupant body heat, ventilation air, and process heat from manufacturing operations.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation for industrial spaces?
A: This provides a basic calculation. For precise industrial HVAC sizing, professional Manual J calculations considering building materials, insulation, and specific equipment are recommended.

Q3: What are typical tonnage ranges for industrial spaces?
A: Industrial HVAC systems typically range from 5-100+ tons depending on space size, equipment density, and process requirements.

Q4: Should safety factors be included?
A: Yes, industrial applications often include 10-20% safety margin to account for unexpected heat loads and future equipment additions.

Q5: How does this differ from residential HVAC sizing?
A: Industrial calculations focus more on equipment and process heat loads, while residential focuses on building envelope and occupancy patterns.