1. What is HVAC Tonnage?

HVAC tonnage refers to the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system. One ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU per hour. Proper sizing is crucial for efficiency and comfort in residential spaces.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard HVAC sizing formula:

Where:

• \( Area \) — Room area in square feet
• 25 — Standard BTU per square foot for residential cooling
• 12000 — Conversion factor (BTU to tons)

Explanation: The formula calculates the required cooling capacity based on room size, using standard residential cooling requirements.

3. Importance of Proper HVAC Sizing

Details: Correct HVAC sizing ensures energy efficiency, proper humidity control, and system longevity. Oversized units short-cycle while undersized units run continuously.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure your room's length and width to calculate area in square feet. For irregular rooms, divide into rectangular sections and sum their areas.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my room has high ceilings?
A: For ceilings over 8 feet, multiply the result by 1.25 for 9-10 ft ceilings, or 1.5 for higher ceilings.

Q2: Does this account for windows and insulation?
A: This is a basic calculation. Poor insulation or many windows may require 30 BTU/sq ft instead of 25.

Q3: What about multi-room systems?
A: For whole-house systems, calculate each room separately then sum the results, or use 400-600 sq ft per ton as a rule of thumb.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a rough estimate. Professional Manual J calculations consider more factors like climate, orientation, and building materials.

Q5: What's the difference between BTU and tons?
A: 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hour. Residential systems typically range from 1.5 to 5 tons.