Are you looking at upgrading or replacing your HVAC system? If so, you will want to make sure your system meets a set of energy efficient standards to help keep your energy bills low. The definitive guide for HVAC contractors is a set of standards developed by the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). Of particular importance for home heating and cooling systems are Manuals J and D.
Manual J – Load Calculations
Manual J provides a set of technical load calculations that HVAC contractors use to determine the energy efficiency of each room in your house, or rather how well each room either holds or loses heat as the seasons change. Expert contractors take into account a range of influencing points, including:
- Local seasonal temperature averages and extremes
- How the main-facing areas of your home are affected by the heat and light of the sun
- Room sizes and window positions
- Current type of home insulation
- Your preferred seasonal temperature settings in the home, and
- The impact of your home lighting and domestic equipment power needs.
Manual D – Ductwork Design
Using the Manual J load calculations, the next stage is to design the system ductwork. This is not a case of big is best, you want to have a system that is just the right size for your home heating and cooling needs. This will minimize the amount of energy needed to keep the indoor temperature at your preferred level. Manual D provides the technical guidance for designing the best ductwork system based on the results of the load calculation work.
Verify HVAC Contractor Qualifications
Check that your intended HVAC contractor has the right skill set by asking about:
- certifications
- how they perform Manuals J and D assessments, and
- what type of reports they provide on these assessments.
Further Information
For expert advice about the use of Manuals J and D to save energy, or any other matters on home heating and cooling, please feel free to contact us at Air Assurance. We have been serving the Broken Arrow area for more than 30 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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