Total Cooling Load Formula:
Definition: This calculator estimates the total cooling load required for equipment by considering both sensible and latent heat factors.
Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals and engineers determine the cooling capacity needed to maintain optimal equipment operating temperatures.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The sensible cooling load is multiplied by a latent factor to account for moisture removal and other latent heat components.
Details: Proper cooling load estimation ensures equipment operates within safe temperature ranges, prevents overheating, and optimizes energy usage.
Tips: Enter the sensible cooling load in Watts and latent factor (default 1.25 ±5%). All values must be > 0.
Q1: What is sensible cooling load?
A: Sensible cooling load is the heat that causes a temperature change without phase change, measurable by a thermometer.
Q2: Why is the latent factor typically 1.25?
A: The 1.25 factor accounts for the typical ratio of latent to sensible heat in many HVAC applications (about 20% latent).
Q3: When would I change the latent factor?
A: Adjust for environments with different humidity levels (higher for humid areas, lower for dry areas).
Q4: How do I find the sensible cooling load?
A: Measure equipment heat output or calculate from power consumption (1W = 3.412 BTU/hr).
Q5: Does this include safety margins?
A: No, consider adding 10-20% to the calculated load for design safety factors.