Arzel Zoning
As an HVAC contractor, you know the importance of correctly sizing the furnace and air conditioner for your client’s home or business. Accurate load calculations prevent the risks associated with oversized or undersized systems. These risks include increased energy costs, reduced efficiency, and premature equipment failure.
For residential and light commercial applications, load calculations consider factors like heat gain or loss, regional climate, and occupant comfort preferences. Additional considerations include the building’s square footage, window type, insulation quality, and occupant count. These calculations are crucial for determining the ideal furnace and air conditioner sizes for optimum comfort.
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) developed the widely-used Manual J as a standardized method for calculating heat loss or gain in a home. As an experienced HVAC contractor, you must measure the building’s dimensions, insulation levels, window and door surface areas, and orientation. It’s also important to understand window types (e.g., single, double, or triple pane, Low-E, or standard), appliance usage, and local climate data. This information enables you to perform accurate load calculations and select the property’s best-suited furnace or air conditioner.
Proper load calculations are essential to avoid undersized or oversized systems. Why? These systems can lead to expensive repairs, wasted energy, and discomfort. For instance, inadequate load calculations can result in an air conditioner that’s too small. Undersized equipment might have these issues:
On the other hand, an oversized air conditioner can result in:
Performing load calculations helps you strike the perfect balance between cost and efficiency by accurately evaluating your client’s space, climate, and other factors. If you need assistance with load calculations, consult your local HVAC distributor, as some have staff who can help. Alternatively, consider using software from providers like www.wrightsoft.com or hiring a local environmental engineer specializing in mechanical design to perform the calculations for you, although this option may be more costly.
What is Static Pressure and Why Does it Matter in Zoning? Static pressure is basically the air pressure inside the ductwork in an HVAC system. In zoning, we use static pressure as a functional tool. When dampers close to isolate only a portion of the ductwork, that zone gets more air, more velocity and more […]
Zone Dampers for Residential HVAC Zone dampers are an important comfort solution for residential HVAC systems. These devices open or close in the ductwork to direct conditioned air to the right place at the right time. They reduce energy waste and ensure consistent temperatures in the home. Arzel Zoning makes high-quality zone dampers specifically designed […]
Any HVAC professional will tell you that multi-stage equipment is great. These powerful air conditioning machines can achieve better comfort and better energy efficiency. We wanted to take a moment to explain why HVAC zoning makes multi-stage equipment even better. Here’s how we’re optimizing multi-stage equipment with Arzel Zoning. Why would you zone multi-stage equipment? […]
There’s been a big change in HVAC this year with the introduction of A2L refrigerants like R-32 or R-454B. When you’re working with A2L refrigerants and Arzel Zoning systems, it’s important to understand the refrigerant detection system (RDS) and A2L mitigation controls that are built into the equipment. Here’s what you need to know. A2L […]