AC Load estimation

Calculate the AC load for the open Office Space measuring 15M X 10M X 4.5M having 25 no. of occupancy.

Calculate the total AHU capacity to supply conditioned air in this space. Work out the ducting layout
mentioning the c/s sizes and branches, indicating the outlets for SA and RA to be provided in the false
ceiling. The height of the ceiling AFF is 3.5M.

Draw the RCP for the office space and section.

Steps for estimation:

1. Tonnage calculation OR Load estimation –

For 8ft to BEDROOM EXECUTIVE RECEPTION GENERAL SHOP SUPER

10ft ht (AT NIGHT) CABIN OFFICE MARKET
1 TR CAN 175 SQ FT 150 SQ FT 140 SQ FT 170 SQ FT 120 SQ FT
SERVE 16 SQ M 14 SQ M 13 SQ M 15 SQ M 11 SQ M

As per the chart given above 1TR can serve @ 170 sqft of area for the heights upto 10ft only.

The area under consideration is 150 sqmt i.e 1615 sqft

(p.n: all AC calculations shall be done in sqft basis as per practise)

Hence, required Tonnage = 1615 ÷ 170 = 9.5 TR ----------------------------- (A)

The total height of the office space is 4.5M and the height upto FC is 3.5M i.e approx. 11ft

The above table is limited upto 10ft of height. The following table gives the multiplying factors for
the extra height exceeding 10ft limitation. The above tonnage needs to be incremented for this
height.

In case height is more than Multiplying factor

10ft to increase capacity
i. Say 11’(3.35M) 1.1
ii. Say 12’(3.65M) 1.2
iii. Say 13’(3.95M) 1.3
iv. Say 14’(4.25M) 1.4
v. Say 15’(4.55M) 1.5
vi. Say 16’(4.85M) 1.6
vii. Say 20’(6.OM) 2.0
As per chart the multiplying factor for 11 ft is 1.1 hence the tonnage calculated above @A needs to
be incremented by 1.1

Therefore, Tonnage required = 9.5 × 1.1 = 10.45 TR ------------------------------- (B)

 Calculate various loads on Air-conditioning system as follows -

2. Equipment load –

Work environment Heat load from BTU/sft/h

equipment

General office 00.25 to 01.00 01 to 006 BTU/Sft /h

Watts/Sft

Computerized office 01.00 to 03.00 03 to 010 BTU/Sft /h

Watts/Sft

Totally automated 15.00 to 50.00 050 to 175 BTU/Sft/h

office Watts/Sft

Laboratories 05.00 to 20.00 015 to 070 BTU/Sft /h

Watts/Sft

Manufacturing plants 05.00 to 45.00 015 to 150 BTU/Sft/h

Watts/Sft

Considering the Computerised Office category for calculation purpose the Heat load due to
equipment can be taken between 3 to 10 BTU/sft

Therefore, 1615 x 10 = 16150 BTU/h ------------------------------------ (C)

3. Heat load due to occupancy – Humans dissipate heat into the space and their perspiration adds to
the humidity and therefore to the latent heat.

Heat gain from Sensible heat Latent heat Total Heat

occupants Activity BTU/h/person BTU/h/person
BTU/h/person

Seated at theatre 225 105 330

Seated, very light 245 155 400

work

Moderately active 250 200 450

office work

Standing light work, 250 200 450

retail store
Light bench work, 275 475 750
factory

Walking (3 mph), 375 625 1000

factory

Heavy machine 635 965 1600

work

Indoor 710 1090 1800

Stadium/Gymnasiu
m

Total heat load = Sensible heat + Latent heat

For a moderately working office the Total latent heat is 450 BTU/h/person.

There are 25 no of persons occupying the space. Assuming full occupancy we have,

Heat load for 25 occupancy = 25 x 450 = 11250 BTU/h --------------------------- (D)

4. Lighting load – This load depends on the type of light fittings provided, as well as the Lux and
Lumens needed for normal working conditions. Special works will need special fittings and Lux
outputs. For normal working office we can assume the heat load due to lighting as,
1 Watt/sft, therefore for 1615 sft of area, Total Wattage = 1615 Watts
Where, 1 W = 3.4 BTU/h
Therefore, Heat load due to lighting = 1615 x 3.4 = 5491 BTU/h ---------------- (E)
5. Increment in Load due to Air changes required (Fresh air intake with stale air removal)
This load is into effect due infiltration/exfiltration when Air change takes place. The effect is also
due to constant opening/closing of door/windows. These losses are to be taken into account.
Therefore, for each air change @ 25% loss is to be considered for change in entire volume of air in
the space. Hence, Load due to Air loss = 1.25 x Volume of space.
i.e, Load due to Air change = 1.25 x 17765 = 22206 BTU/h ----------------------- (F)
6. Total Load - Adding all the heat Loads, (C+D+E+F) = 55097 BTU/hr
Now, 1TR = 12000 BTU/h
Therefore, Tonnage due to heat load calculation is, 55097 ÷ 12000 = 4.6 TR ---- (G)
Total tonnage required = Tonnage as per area coverage (B) + Tonnage due to various loads (G)

Total tonnage required = 10.45 TR + 4.6 TR = 15.05 say 15 TR

This is the rate at which air needs to be conditioned.
7. AHU capacity – Air handling unit has to fulfil the needs as per above tonnage requirement. Hence
the air equivalent to this tonnage needs to be supplied/ discharged into the space.
Now, 1 TR ~= 400 to 500 CFM (cubic feet per min)
Therefore, AHU has to support @ 450 x 15 TR = 6750 CFM discharge
8. Duct design – ducting will start from AHU. The main duct will supply the above discharge by at
constant velocity so as to maintain a laminar flow within the duct. Usually 1000 to 1200 FPM
velocity is considered in the duct design. Assuming a suitable system for arrangement of ducts,
branching can be done.
 Now, Q = V x A where,
Q – Discharge of air in CFM
V – Velocity of flow of air in FPM
A – Cross sectional area of the duct in sft
Assuming 1200 FPM velocity through duct we have,
6750 = 1200 x A
A = 6750 ÷ 1200 = 5.625 sft
Assuming @ 3ft wide duct the height of the duct will be, 5.625 ÷ 3 = 1.875 ft approx.. 1’-9”
Hence, Main Duct size = 36” X 21” i.e (900 X 500mm)
9. Calculating branches –
a. for the given Office space, let us assume 6 nos of branches will be required to distribute
the air evenly through entire space.
Hence, in each branch we have to supply 6750 ÷ 6 = 1125 CFM
Q=VxA
1125 = 1000 x A (assuming 1000 FPM in each branch)
A = 1125 ÷ 1000 = 1.125 sft
Duct size = 12” x 14” i.e (300 X 350mm)
b. Main duct will reduce in c/s area after every branch. Let us assume 2 nos of branches each
supplying 1125 CFM are taken out.
Hence, main duct after these branches will have to supply; 6750 – 1125 – 1125 = 4500 CFM
Q=VxA
4500 = 1200 x A (assuming 1200 FPM)
A = 4500 ÷ 1200 = 3.75 sft Assuming width same as before i.e 3ft the height will be 1.25
Duct size = 36” x 15” i.e (900 X 375mm) hence the duct reduces in height from 500 to 375.
Similarly all intermediate sizes can be obtained.
10. Schematic layout – once all the duct sizes at various locations are calculated, a schematic diagram
for arrangement of ducts can be prepared. (representative GAD)

11. Air distribution layout – Air distribution layout is drawn at a suitable scale, as per the furniture
layout in the office space. All the duct sizes will be mentioned at every section of the duct. This is
plan is drawn above the ceiling lvl, showing SAD and RAD
12. RCP and section – Reflected ceiling plan for same needs to be drawn showing diffusers and
extractors.
Like for above e.g – each branch is supplying 1125 CFM of conditioned Air, i.e,
1125 ÷ 400 = 2.8 TR say 3 TR (one diffuser of 600X600mm will supply @1TR of air qty) we therefore
require 3 Nos. of diffusers for supply.
As per Thumb rule RAD = 80% SAD = 80 X 3/100 = 2.4 TR
 Hence we need to extract 2.4 X 400 = 960 CFM of air qty (Return air) we can provide extractors or
linear grills.

Assumptions, considerations and thumb rules for calculations –

• The two most common units for measuring the heat quantity are the British thermal unit (Btu) and
the Calorie (cal).

• The BTU is the quantity of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 lb. of water by 1º Fahrenheit,
while one Calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gm. of water by 1º
Celsius. (1000Cal = 1KCal)

• TON: It is rate of heat absorption or cooling. (12000Btu ~= 1 Ton) or (3000KCal)

• In climatic zone typically tropical, approximately every 1000 Cubic foot of volume of air would
require 12000 BTU rating for comfort air-conditioning.

• The Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of an air conditioner is the ratio of its BTU rating over its wattage

• A 10,000-BTU rating that consumes 1,200 watts has 8.3 EER

• The cost will depend on the duration in hrs. So electrical estimates are given in Rs. per kilowatt-hr.

• The Air-conditioned space depends on area, volume, no. of occupants, climatic conditions inside &
outside, treatments done on the surfaces, insulation, type of work, duration of usage, machinery,
furniture etc.

• Cfm = Cubic feet/ min (Q- Discharged volume of air)

• Fpm = Feet/ min (V- Velocity of flow of air)

• V = Q/a (‘a’ c/s area of outlet in sq.ft)

• BTU = British Thermal Unit

• 1 Ton = 12000 BTU

• 1 Ton = 1000 to 1200 cft (volume)

• 1Ton = 450 cfm (Discharge flow of air)

• A person can bear @ Avg 50 to 75 fpm air velocity and 15 cfm of air qty/hr.

• A uniform flow of air in the main duct should be maintained @1000 to 1200 fpm. (Done by
intermittently reducing the c/s area of the duct)

• A single diffuser of 4 sft c/s area can diffuse @ 400 cfm of air volume.

• Air throw through diffusers is up to 15ft to 20ft dist.

• RAD = 80% SAD (e.g,

• SAD (sqmt) = A*v/ H*L [where A = Air change as per area, v = Volume in cumt, H = Heat gain by
occupancy, L = Load on the area in BTU/hr]