HC
HVAC Load Calculate

HVAC Equipment Sizing Calculator

Size furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductwork based on your calculated heating and cooling loads. Get professional equipment recommendations with efficiency ratings and technical specifications.

1

Load Requirements

From your load calculation

4.0 Tons cooling capacity

2

System Preferences

Higher efficiency provides better performance and lower operating costs

Equipment Selection Guide

Enter your heating and cooling loads to get professional equipment recommendations.

  • Proper equipment sizing for efficiency
  • Efficiency rating recommendations
  • Ductwork sizing calculations
  • Climate-specific recommendations
  • Installation considerations

Pro Tip

Proper equipment sizing is critical for efficiency and comfort. Oversized equipment short-cycles and wastes energy, while undersized equipment can't maintain comfort.

Equipment Sizing Calculator Guide

Transform your load calculations into specific equipment recommendations. This calculator helps you select the right size furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductwork based on your calculated heating and cooling loads.

Input Requirements

Load Data

  • Heating Load: Total BTU/hr from load calculation
  • Cooling Load: Total BTU/hr from load calculation
  • Building Type: Residential or commercial application
  • Climate Zone: Affects equipment selection criteria

System Preferences

  • Fuel Type: Natural gas, electric, propane, or oil
  • System Type: Heat pump, furnace + AC, or other
  • Efficiency Goals: Standard, high, or premium efficiency
  • Ductwork: New installation or existing system

Getting Load Data

Need load calculations first? Use our calculators to determine your loads:

• Commercial Calculator for businesses
• Room Calculator for individual spaces
• Manual calculations from contractors

Equipment Sizing Guidelines

Heating Equipment

Furnaces: Size 100-125% of heating load
Heat Pumps: Size for cooling load, add backup heat
Backup Heat: Heating load minus heat pump capacity
Boilers: Size 110-130% of heating load
Electric Heat: Match heating load exactly
Radiant Systems: Size 90-110% of heating load

Cooling Equipment

Air Conditioners: Size 100-115% of cooling load
Heat Pumps: Size for larger of heating/cooling load
Mini-Splits: Size 90-110% of room cooling load
Package Units: Size 105-120% of cooling load
Chillers: Size 110-130% of cooling load
Variable Speed: Can size closer to calculated load

Ductwork Considerations

Airflow Requirements

  • Cooling: 350-450 CFM per ton
  • Heating: 300-400 CFM per 10,000 BTU/hr
  • Room CFM based on load calculations
  • Return air: Match supply airflow

Duct Sizing

  • Main trunk: Handle total system CFM
  • Branch ducts: Sized for room CFM
  • Return ducts: Central or distributed
  • Velocity limits: 900 FPM max in branches

Understanding Results

Results provide specific equipment recommendations including capacity ranges, efficiency ratings, and sizing notes. Recommendations consider your building type, climate, fuel preferences, and load characteristics to suggest optimal equipment selections.

Heating Equipment

Furnace, heat pump, or boiler recommendations with capacity ranges and efficiency suggestions.

Cooling Equipment

Air conditioner or heat pump sizing with tonnage and SEER efficiency recommendations.

Distribution

Ductwork requirements, airflow specifications, and installation considerations.

Implementation Steps

Next Actions

  • • Get contractor quotes with these specifications
  • • Compare equipment brands and models
  • • Review utility rebates for high-efficiency equipment
  • • Plan installation timeline and permits

Additional Resources

Professional Installation Required

Equipment sizing provides the foundation for system selection, but professional design and installation are essential. Licensed contractors ensure proper equipment selection, code compliance, and optimal performance for your specific application.