Proceedings of Clima 2007 WellBeing Indoors

Residential HVAC System Sizing

William P. Goss

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

Corresponding email: goss@acad.umass.edu

SUMMARY

Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system sizing for existing single family
residents in hot and humid and temperate climates present different problems. In hot and
humid climates, the proper sizing of residential air-conditioning systems is an important issue,
since if the system is over-sized the resulting mold problems can cause significant problems
with occupants who are susceptible to airborne spores like mold that can severely affect their
asthmatic illnesses.

In more temperate climates, HVAC system sizing for existing single family residential unit is
primarily concerned with heating systems. However, there is often a need to retrofit the
residential unit with an air-conditioning system.

The technique for properly sizing residential air-conditioning and heating systems is based on
methods described in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals. Heating and cooling
spreadsheet programs that duplicate the methodologies were developed and have been used to
evaluate the design cooling load for a number of single family residential units (condominium
and homes) in Florida and in New York and Massachusetts. Two examples, a condominium
in subtropical Tampa, Florida and a condominium in temperate Albany, New York are
presented and discussed. Conclusions and recommendations are made on the sizing criteria
for residences in these two diverse climates.

INTRODUCTION

In hot and humid climates, the proper sizing of residential air-conditioning systems is an
important issue, since if this is not done correctly the resulting mold problems can cause
significant problems with occupants who are susceptible to airborne spores like mold that can
severely affect their asthmatic illnesses. The author has examined several hundred residences
(single family homes and condominiums) that were constructed in the last 10 to 30 years in
the State of Florida where both new and replacement air-conditioning systems were
significantly oversized. In a recent seminar presentation by Cochell [1] indicated that a study
of 1600 homes in Florida by the University of Florida showed that 78% of the homes had
oversized air-conditioning systems by more than ½ Ton (6,000 Btu/hr or 1759 W). As a
result, the occupants were exposed to a cooled, damp indoor climate where the oversized air-
conditioning system runs for short periods of time to bring the indoor air temperature down to
the set-point temperature but does not run long enough time to significantly reduce the
humidity levels in the air. The mold accumulates in the air-conditioning ducts that were
installed at the time of the original air-conditioning system. In several of the worse over-sized
air-conditioning systems that the author has seen, the occupants became quite ill from the
resulting mold growth and their entire living quarters had to be completely renovated.
 Proceedings of Clima 2007 WellBeing Indoors

In more temperate climates, many middle-aged (30 to 60 years old) and older (greater that 60
years old) residences have old inefficient heating systems where approximately 50% of the
heating fuel is wasted. In most situations, the heating and cooling system sizing exercise is
more complex since design drawings are usually not available and many residences have
undergone a number of renovations. This makes it necessary to spend a lot of time in
developing the building envelope plans and ascertaining the construction materials. In
addition, most of these residences did not have air-conditioning systems installed at the time
of construction. One recent development in air-conditioning duct systems is the use of
properly designed smaller diameter higher velocity air ducts that can be installed in a manner
similar to the way smaller diameter electrical wiring can be snaked into the walls, ceilings and
floors without disturbing the inside and outside surfaces. Here, in addition to the more
difficult air-conditioning sizing exercise, the design of the high velocity air duct retrofit also
has to be carried out.

The technique for properly sizing a residential air-conditioning and heating system is based on
methods described in Chapter 28 of ASHRAE [2]. Spreadsheet programs that duplicate these
heating and cooling load methodology have been developed and used to evaluate the design
heating and cooling loads for the residences in both hot and humid and more temperate
climates using the specified outside design temperatures given in Chapter 27 of ASHRAE [2].
For cooling load calculations, the estimate of the latent cooling load is the most critical
element in the selection of the size and type of retrofit air-conditioning system. For heating
load calculations, the estimate of the air infiltration/ventilation rate contribution is the most
critical element in the selection of the size and type of heating systems. The sizing results for
two residences, one for cooling in a sub-tropical climate and one for heating in a temperate
climate are presented in the next section of the paper. Conclusions and recommendations are
made on the sizing criteria for residences in these two diverse climates.

CLIMATIC DATA TABLES

Two single family residences in a temperate location in Albany, New York (a second floor
condominium) and a subtropical location in Tampa, Florida (a first floor condominium Unit)
were studied. Tables [1] and [2] present a small portion of the data available for these two
locations from Chapter 27-Climatic Design Information in ASHRAE [2] which presents
selected climatic data for the United States, Canada and World locations. More detailed
climatic data can be found in ASHRAE [3].

In Table [1], for winter design conditions, the second column gives the latitude, longitude and
elevation for the two locations given in the first column. The third column gives the design
(99.6% and 99% percentile) winter heating dry bulb temperatures that represent temperatures
that are expected to only be exceeded 0.4% and 1.0% of the winter heating season. The
fourth column represents design (5%, 2.5%, and 1% percentile) extreme wind speeds that are
expected to only be exceeded 5%. 2.5% and 1% of the winter heating season.

In Table [2], for summer design conditions, the second column gives the latitude, longitude
and elevation for the two locations given in the first column. The third column gives the
design (0.4%, 1% and 2% percentile) summer cooling dry bulb and mean coincident wet bulb
temperatures that represent temperatures that are expected to only be exceeded 0.4%, 1% and
2% of the summer cooling season. The forth column gives the mean daily range (difference
between the daily maximum and minimum temperatures during the hottest month) of the dry
bulb temperature.
 Proceedings of Clima 2007 WellBeing Indoors

The data in Tables [1] and [2] can be used in the determination of the design heating and
cooling loads that are presented in the next section. It should be stressed here that the
emphasis is on equipment sizing, not annual energy use.

Table 1 Winter Heating Design Conditions

LOCATION Latitude Design Heating Extreme Wind

Longitude Dry Bulb ºC Speed km/h
Elevation (m)
Albany, New 42.75º -21.7 (99.6%) 30.6 (5%)
York 70.38º -16.7 (99%) 35.4 (2.5%)
89 38.6 (1%)
Tampa, Florida 30.38º 2.2 (99.6%) 24.9 (5%)
84.37º 4.4 (99%) 27.4 (2.5%)
21 30.6 (1%)

Table 2 Summer Cooling Design Conditions

LOCATION Latitude Cooling Dry Range of

Longitude Bulb/Mean Dry Bulb
Elevation (m) Coincident Wet- ºC
Bulb ºC
Albany, New 42.75º 32.2/21.7 (0.4%) 13.2
York 70.38º 30/21.1 (1%)
89 28.9/20.6 (2%)
Tampa, Florida 30.38º 33.3/25 (0.4%) 8.3
84.37º 32.8/25 (1%)
21 32.2/25 (2%)

RESULTS

The following Chapters in the ASHRAE Handbook [2] were used in the calculation of the
heating and cooling loads presented in the load calculation results tables:

Chapter 25: Thermal and Water Vapor Transmission Data

Chapter 26: Ventilation and Infiltration
Chapter 27: Climatic Design Information
Chapter 28: Residential Cooling and Heating Load
Chapter 30: Fenestration

Heating Load Calculation Results

Table [3] presents a summary table that summarizes the detailed room-by-room spreadsheet
results for determining the heating load of a second floor condominium unit located in an
approximately 100 year old three story building that was being converted to a two unit
condominium association. The second floor unit also includes an unheated attic above it and a
first floor unit below it. The ground floor is a partially above ground basement that contains
the individual heating systems for the two condominium units. The second floor unit heating
system uses oil as the heating fuel and the first floor unit uses natural gas as the heating fuel.
 Proceedings of Clima 2007 WellBeing Indoors

The two Unit Owners own the interiors of their individual units and share ownership of the
exterior surfaces of the building and the surrounding land.

Table [3] gives results that follow the procedures presented in Table 12 (Summary of Loads,
Equations, and References for Calculating Design Heating Loads) of Chapter 28: in ASHRAE
[2]. The wall and floor areas and the ceiling height were obtained using a laser measuring
device. The various U-values were obtained from the data and calculation methods presented
in Chapters 25 and 30 in ASHRAE [2] for the specified building components. The
determination of the construction of the wall, floor and ceiling required the temporary
removal of a number of electrical fixtures (wall outlets and switches, ceiling lights) to
determine the type and thickness of the various building materials used in the original
construction. The data for the Albany, New York location from the Climatic Design
Information given in Table 1B of Chapter 27 in ASHRAE [2] is listed in the top portion of
Table [3]. The inside to outside temperature difference of 42.7ºC comes from the indoor
design temperature of 21.1ºC and the 99.6% winter design dry bulb temperature of -21.6ºC.
The temperature differences for the unheated attic were calculated from methods given in
Chapter 25 in ASHRAE [2].

The critical heating load element, air infiltration, requires the use of Chapter 26 in ASHRAE
[2] to estimate the sensible heating load due to air infiltration for the second floor
condominium unit. The 5% design exterior wind speed of 30.6 km/h (19 miles/h) was used in
applying two calculation models to obtain estimates of the infiltration flow rates. The “basic
model” in Chapter 26 in ASHRAE [2] gave an infiltration rate of 0.62 air changes per hour
(ACH) and the “enhanced model” gave an infiltration rate of 0.80 ACH. To be conservative in
sizing the heating equipment for the not very well sealed 100 year old building, a value of 1.0
ACH was used. Multiplying the floor (or ceiling in this case) area of 118 m2 by the ceiling
height of 2.6 m gives a volume of 307 m3. With one ACH, the air infiltration volume flow
rate is 307 m3/h as shown in Table 3.

Figure 3-RESIDENTIAL HEATING LOAD CALCULATION

Location: Albany, New York
Weather Data Location: Albany: Indoor Design Temperature: 21.1ºC
Winter Design Dry Bulb 99.6%: -21.7; 99%: -16.7ºC
Extreme Wind Speeds: 5%: 30.6 km/h; 2.5%: 35.4 km/h; 1%: 38.6 km/h
Ceiling Height: 2.6 m

Area U-value Temp Diff Energy

SENSIBLE LOADS m2 W/(m2•ºC) ºC W Notes
Exterior walls 84.8 1.24 42.7 4501 Wood Stud/No Insulation
Wall to interior hallway 10.3 7.72 12.2 967 Wood Stud/No Insulation
Single Pane w/Storm
Windows 20.3 3.23 42.7 2789 Windows
Exterior door 2.3 2.04 42.7 203 Wood
Door to interior hallway 2.2 1.69 12.2 46 Wood
Floor to heated unit 117.8 1.15 0 0 Wood Stud/No Insulation
Ceiling to unheated attic 117.8 0.35 36.1 1472 Wood Stud w/Insulation
Subtotal 9978
ρ•Cp Volume Flow Rate
kJ/(m3• ºC) m3/h
Infiltration 1.205 306.8 42.7 4385
TOTAL 14363
 Proceedings of Clima 2007 WellBeing Indoors

Cooling Load Calculation Results

Table [4] presents a table that summarizes the detailed room-by-room spreadsheet results for
determining the cooling load of a first floor condominium unit located in an approximately 30
year old four story building that contains 22 condominium units. The ground floor is a
parking garage. The Table [4] results are obtained from the procedures presented in Table 9
(Summary of Procedures for Residential Cooling Load Calculations) of Chapter 28 in
ASHRAE [2]. In addition, a number of related tables and figures, their footnotes and detailed
example calculations in Chapter 28 in ASHRAE [2] are used in the spreadsheet calculations
for determining the various elements of the total sensible load. The areas, material properties
are determined in the same manner as in the heating load calculations. Glass (windows and
doors) are treated differently. A glass factor replaces the U-value and temperature difference
to account for the peak solar and sensible heat load. This factor is a function of the type of
glass; the orientation, inside and outside shading; the design outdoor temperature (the 0.4%
value of 33.3°C given at the top portion of Figure [4] was used in the calculations) and the
indoor design temperature (23.9°C was used). For exterior walls and floors, a cooling load
temperature difference (CLTD) is determined by orientation; outside shading; the design
outdoor temperature and the indoor design temperature. The air infiltration is not as important
a factor as it is for heating situations. In Table [4], an ACH of 0.72 was used. It should be
noted that the various temperatures have been rounded off to the nearest °C, however the
resulting energy values include the non-rounded off values in the detailed spreadsheet
calculations.

The critical cooling load element, the latent load, is estimated from the outdoor design
humidity ratio and the type of construction (loose, medium, tight) in Figure 1 of Chapter 28 in
ASHRAE [2] to determine a load factor (1.16 was used) which is multiplied by the total
sensible load to arrive at the latent load as given near the bottom of Table [4]. A properly
sized air-conditioning system has to be able to remove a significant amount of moisture from
the air in sub-tropical climates.
 Proceedings of Clima 2007 WellBeing Indoors

Figure 4-RESIDENTIAL COOLING LOAD CALCULATION

Location: Multifamily Residential Condominium-Tampa, Florida, FL
Weather Data Location: Tampa: Indoor Design Temperature: 23.9 ºC
Summer Cooling Design Temperature (Dry Bulb/Mean Coincident Wet-Bulb): 0.4%: 33.3/25 ºC; 1%: 32.8/25 ºC; 2%: 32.2/25 ºC
Range of Dry Bulb Temperature: 8.3 ºC (Low Range-less than 8.9 ºC)
Ceiling Height: 2.44m

Area Energy
SENSIBLE LOADS m2 W NOTES
Glass Load
Factor
GLASS W/(m2)
West facing to Outside with Interior
Window and Doors 33 84 2737 Blinds, and Exterior Shading
North facing to Outside with Interior
Patio Door 2 84 187 Blinds, and Exterior Shading
U-value
ENVELOPE W/(m2•ºC)
Cooling Load
OUTSIDE FACING ΔT (ºC)
Floor 164 0.82 7 927 To Outside Fully Shaded Garage below
Exterior wall 40 0.82 8 268 North facing to Outside
INSIDE FACING Temp Diff ºC
Interior wall 40 1.05 0 0 South facing to Air-Conditioned Unit
Interior wall 33 1.05 0 0 East facing to Air-Conditioned hallway
Ceiling 164 0.82 0 0 To Air-Conditioned Unit above

ρ*Cp Volume
INFILTRATION & kJ/(m3 flow rate
VENTILATION •K) m3/h
Infiltration 1.205 287 9 854 0.72 Air Changes per Hour
INTERNAL LOADS
Lighting/Appliances 352 Value for Multifamily Unit
People 202 3 People for 2 Bedrooms
SENSIBLE LOADS 5527
1.16 Times Sensible Load for
Medium Airtight Construction at
LATENT LOAD 6412 1% Design Humidity Ratio
TOTAL LOADS 11939

DISCUSSION

The total heating energy required in the condominium in Albany, New York is 14363 W (in I-
P units 48982 Btu/h). The oil-fired heating system has low pressure steam delivered to
radiators in each of the heated rooms. This system also supplies some water vapor to the
rooms to allow a comfortable winter relative humidity level to the occupants. Preliminary
spreadsheet calculations indicated that insulating the ceiling/attic floor would reduce the
energy to the unheated attic space enough to economically warrant the expense of having
fiberglass blown into the cavity between the attic floor and 2nd floor ceiling. The original
heating system (boiler) was rated at 75000 Btu/h and the new higher efficiency boiler system
was rated at 50000 Btu/h. Both ratings account for the heating system piping losses to the
basement. The first season of oil consumption with the new heating system was 40% less than
 Proceedings of Clima 2007 WellBeing Indoors

the prior years. However the cost savings was much smaller due to the increase in heating fuel
prices.

In addition to the new heating systems for both of the Albany, New York condominium units,
new 16 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio), two-stage air-conditioning systems were also
added to both units. See Dulley [4] for details of this type of modern high-efficiency, split
system air-conditioning systems. Detailed cooling load calculations similar to that for the
condominium in Tampa, Florida were performed. For the second floor unit studied here, the
evaporator coil/air handler unit was located in the basement near the outdoor
compressor/condenser unit. New high velocity smaller diameter duct work (supply and return)
was snaked through the first floor unit walls to the second floor unit walls. See Dulley [5] for
details of these types of mini-duct, pressurized central air-conditioning systems.

The total cooling energy required in the condominium in Tampa, Florida is 11939 W (in I-P
units 40745 Btu/h or 3.4 Tons). The original over-sized air conditioning system was rated at 4
tons or 48000 Btu/h. The new replacement high 16 SEER high-efficiency, heat pump air-
conditioning system was rated at 3 tons or 36000 Btu/h. The reason for selecting a lower
rating than the calculated load was due to the fact the Unit Owner was away during the
summer season and had recently installed hurricane shutters which significantly reduce the
sensible cooling load and forced most of the replacement air to come from the air-conditioned
hallway at a humidity ratio much lower than that of the outside air that normally came in
through the west facing outside windows. In addition, a humidistat was added in parallel to
the thermostat to insure that high relative humidity ratios did not occur while the Unit Owner
was away. After two summers with the new air-conditioner reduced the Unit Owners electric
bill by over 30% and the occurrence of mold growth was reduced significantly. During the
short winter heating season, the electric costs were also reduced by using the new air-
conditioning system in the heat pump mode which is more efficient that the electric heating in
the original system.

In summary, it can be seen that significant energy savings can be achieved by properly sizing
heating and cooling system without any reduction in user comfort.

REFERENCES

1. Cochell, Robert, 2007. Florida Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Association, presentation at Florida Building Commission Seminar in Tampa
Florida, March 28, 2007.
2. ASHRAE. 2001. Handbook of Fundamentals, American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
3. ASHRAE. 2005. Weather Data Viewer - CD Version 3.0, American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
4. Dulley, James. 2007. Update Bulletin 921 Super-efficient 2007 central air-
conditioners buyers guide, (www.dulley.com).
5. Dulley, James. 2007. Update Bulletin 713, Mini-duct, pressurized central air-
conditioners for comfort, savings (www.dulley.com).