Why a Manual N for Commercial Load Calculations?

The Manual N for commercial load calculation is designed to instruct contractors and others on how to meet the complicated new heating and air conditioning requirements for commercial buildings. This manual treats in detail all that you will need to know, including the latest developments in the commercial construction industry such as the use of new materials, assembly, operational requirements, and more. Being up to date on your commercial load calculation will ensure that you meet any possible building codes that may be in place, are keeping the occupants safe and comfortable, and are keeping the utility bills as low as possible.

Manual N for Commercial Load Calculation

As will eventually happen, when it comes time to replace your heating and air conditioning system in your commercial building, be sure to have a professional technician perform a commercial load calculation beforehand. A ‘load’ is the amount of heating or cooling that is required in order to maintain the temperature level comfortable enough for the occupants. A "commercial load calculation" is the complicated process by which you come to determine the exact size of the load and therewith the size and power of the heating and cooling system that will be needed. Choosing the correct size of the system will be important for several reasons, as mentioned quickly above.

In general, if the size of your heating and cooling system is too small and too weak, it will, of course, not be able to properly affect the temperature of the rooms, resulting in an uneven spread of temperature regulation. Also, if they are too small, they will be working overtime in an attempt to regulate the temperature, which will result in the units breaking down prematurely. On the other hand, if the cooling and heating units are too big, too powerful, they will be producing too much heating and cooling, even when set to their lowest setting. This will result in indoors being too hot or too cold, and it will also result in accumulated amounts of humidity.

Therefore, having the perfect sized heating and cooling system unit for your commercial building is key, and using a commercial load calculation will help achieve just that. This calculation will be determined by inserting the physical and thermal characteristics of your building. These include things such as the size of the building, the numbers of doors and windows, the efficiency of the sealing, and the expected climate.

More about the Manual N

The manual N, which is approved by the ACCA, is the most widely accepted manual when it comes to commercial load calculations. Using this state of the art manual, technicians can conduct one of two types of calculations: either a basic load test, or a more detailed computer-based test. Because this manual N is so well trusted in the industry, you can rest assured that, by using it, you will not only keep the occupants safe, but will also have the most cost-effective heat and cooling system available.

Finally, while it is recommended to go with a professional technician when it comes time to perform a manual N commercial load calculation, it is possible to perform one yourself. There are online courses that one can take for several hundred dollars which will give you detailed instructions, but be ready to get very technical if you plan on going this route.

Need help with your next manual D duct design project? Contact Balanced Comfort today! From  fire protection design and other energy efficiency services, our professionals are happy to help!