What is a Heat Load Calculation?

A heat load calculation is a method used to estimate the heating and cooling requirements of a building or space. The purpose is to determine the right size of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system needed to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

Factors taken into account include:

• Building dimensions: Length, width, and height.
• Insulation quality: How well the building retains heat or cool air.
• Window types and placements: These can significantly impact heat gain and loss.
• Appliances and lighting: These generate heat and can affect the calculation.
• Occupancy: The number of people typically in the space

We perform Heat Load Calculations

We perform Heat Load (Heat Loss and Heat Gain) calculations with software that uses the CAN/CSA F280-12 calculation methodology. We can produce EnerGuide HOT2000 Full House Reports when doing energy simmulations that is part of our Energy Audit Service offering.

We can also produce CAN/CSA F280-12 compliant reports using VoltaSnap that has been verified to be CAN/CSA F280-12 by HVAC Designers of Canada (HVAC-DC) 

When is Heat Load Calculations required?

A heat load calculation is required to ensure the space heating system is sized appropriately for the home’s heating load, which helps optimize energy-efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions, and to encourage high-quality installations. This can be done before construction during the planning and design phase as well during the planning of renovations that include retrofitting mechanical systems.

FortisBC, BCHydro as well as NRCAN strongly recommend that you complete heat load calculations for all space heating system installations. At this time, they require that this calculation be done for heat pump and dual fuel heating systems (electric heat pump combined with gas furnace) if you want to make use of their grant, loan, or rebate programs.

What are your options?

Contractors or energy advisors can perform the heat load calculation by using any of the following options:

• The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) Residential Heat Loss & Heat Gain technical manual in combination with the Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheets supplied with the CAN/CSA F280-12 standard.
• A software that uses the CAN/CSA F280-12 calculation methodology. Recommended options include Thermal Environment Comfort Association (TECA) Quality First software,  Right-F280, and EnerGuide HOT2000 Full House Reports.
• A software or worksheet that uses the CAN/CSA F280-90 calculation methodology.
• A software or worksheet that uses methodology from Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J.
• A software or worksheet that uses methodology from TECA’s Quality First Forced Air Guidelines (5^th edition 2008).

Why should WE do the Heat Load Calculation??

Both Energy Advisors and Contractors can perform the heat load calculation but:

• We as Energy Advisors are already on site during the Energy Assessment
• We will be doing an EnerGuide simmulation using HOT2000 and can produce the Hot2000 Full House Reports or the CAN/CSA F280 accredited VoltaSnap Load Report.
• We will be doing Airtighness tests and are also equiped to do the Duct flow tests that will show how much air flow your ducts can handel.
• Heat Load calculations are included in the Heat Pump ServiceReport and can be supplied to heating contractors when homeowners are requesting comparitive quotes. This will save time and avoid them using rules of thumb to size and select the right heat pump for your needs.
• Benefits to the homeowner
  • Getting the right-sized heat pump for the heating and cooling needs of your house
  • Improving thermal comfort
  • Maximizing your energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions
  • Avoiding expensive oversized equipment purchases

Refer to Energy Simulation page for more information