What Size System do I Need for my Commercial HVAC Installation?

Regardless of whether you are building a new structure, or upgrading your existing system, it’s critical to accurately determine the correct size for your commercial HVAC installation. Your current HVAC system may be working fine, but insufficient for the current needs of your building. Knowing the right size allows you to accurately estimate the installation cost of your new HVAC system.

Here’s How to Determine the Size for Your Commercial HVAC Installation

Experts define the proper size of your HVAC system as tonnages, such as a 4-ton, 5-ton, or 10-ton unit. This is crucial to avoid extra costs down the road and gives you an opportunity to truly assess what you need as you plan the next moves for your business.

Step 1: Determine the square footage.

How much space are you heating and cooling? You may assume you should include the entire building, but this is not always the case. Heating and cooling unnecessary spaces lead to spending money on electricity and increases your utility bills. Measure the length and width of each room you will heat and cool and multiply these numbers. Add up the square footage of each room to get the total square footage of the building.

Step 2: Calculate the total Btu.

Btu stands for British Thermal Unit and measures how much heat it will take to increase the temperature by one degree. Take the square footage and multiply it by 25 to reach the base value for Btu. Add 1000 Btu for every exterior door and window and 400 for every person.

Step 3: Determine the tonnage.

Divide the total Btu by 12,000. This is the total tonnage.

While calculating this magic number, you will also learn other important factors that determine the overall cost of the commercial HVAC installation. The tonnage lets you know how big of a unit you need. An accurate estimate of the total cost will also include ductwork, vents for airflow, electrical work, and other factors that ensure the system works properly.

When you are ready to choose the right size commercial HVAC system for your needs contact Ball Building Services in Tampa, FL. Our licensed contractors will walk you through all the aspects of an HVAC estimate to ensure you know the best options for your building. Give us a call to set up your appointment for a commercial HVAC system estimate.

For more information check out this article on the Manual J method.