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HVAC Equations & Rules of Thumb
Air Side Equations (Sea Level Conditions)
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Qsen = 1.08 x CFM x ∆T [Btu/hr] Qsen = Sensible Load ; ∆T = Temperature Change at the coil [F]
QTot = 4.5 x CFM x ∆H [Btu/hr] QTot = Total Load ; ∆H = Enthalpy change at the coil [Btu/lb]
QLat = 4,770 x CFM x ∆Wlb [Btu/hr] QLat = Latent Load ; ∆W = Specific Humidity change [lbs of water/lb of dry air]
QLat = 0.68 x CFM x ∆Wgra [Btu/hr] ∆W = Specific Humidity change at the coil [Grains of water/lb of dry air]
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Mixed Air Conditions Inside Air Handler
Tmix, db=((OAT x CFM_OA)+( RAT x CFM_RA))/(CFM_OA+ CFM_RA) OAT = Outside Air Dry Bulb Temperature [F] ; CFM_OA = Air Flow of Outside Air [CFM]
RAT = Return Air Dry Bulb Temperature [F] ; CFM_RA = Air Flow of Outside Air [CFM]
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hmix=((h_OA x CFM_OA)+( h_RA x CFM_RA))/(CFM_OA+ CFM_RA) h_OA = Outside Air Enthalpy [Btu/lb] ; CFM_OA = Air Flow of Outside Air [CFM]
h_RA = Return Air Enthalpy [Btu/lb] ; CFM_RA = Air Flow of Outside Air [CFM]
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Wmix=((W_OA x CFM_OA)+( W_RA x CFM_RA))/(CFM_OA+ CFM_RA) W_OA = Outside Air Specific humidity [lb water/lb dry air] ; CFM_OA = Air Flow of Outside Air [CFM]
W_RA = Return Air Specific humidity [lb water/lb dry air] ; CFM_RA = Air Flow of Outside Air [CFM]
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Outside Air Fraction
OA Fraction =(MAT - RAT)/(OAT-RAT) OAT = Outside Air Dry Bulb Temperature [F] ;
MAT = Mixed Air Temperature [F]
RAT = Return Air Temperature [F]
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Water Side Equations
Qwater = 500 x V x ∆T [Btu/hr] Qwater = Energy Contained in Water (To be added or removed from water) ;
V = Volume Flow Rate [GPM]
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Miscellaneous Factors
1 Ton = 12,000 Btu/h = 12 MBH 1 kWh = 3,414 Btu 1 Therm = 100,000 Btu = 100 MBH 1 HP = 0.746 kW
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kW/Ton = 12/EER = 12/(COP x 3.412) 1 psi = 2.311 ft of water Boiler HP = 33,479 Btu/hr
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Fan, Pump & Affinity Law Equations
Fan Mechanical HP = CFM x TSP CFM = Air Flow ; TSP = Total Static Pressure [In. WG] ; Fan Brake HP = Fan Mechanical HP ; 6,356 Fan Efficiency
Fan Motor HP = Fan Brake HP
Motor Efficiency
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Pump Mechanical HP = H x Q x SG H = Pump Head [FT]; Q = Flow Rate [GPM] ; SG = Specific Gravity of Liquid ;
3,956
Pump Brake HP = Pump Mechanical HP ; Pump Motor HP = Pump Brake HP
Pump Efficiency Motor Efficiency
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Affinity Laws
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Q1/Q2 = D1/D2 ; Q & D = Flow & Diameter
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Q1/Q2 = N1/N2 ; Q & N = Flow & Speed
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P1/P2 =(N1/N2)^2 ; P & N = Pressure & Speed
HP1/HP2 = (N1/N2)^3; HP & N = Power & Speed
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HVAC Typical Rules of Thumb
(Note: The following numbers are rough estimation numbers. Each application is unique and these numbers do not represent specific application)
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Packaged AC Unit 1 Ton per 400 Sq. Ft 1 Ton per 400 CFM
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Fan Power (ASHRAE 90.1) Constant Air Volume (CAV) - 1,000 CFM per 1.1 HP
Variable Air Volume (VAV) - 1,000 CFM per 1.5 HP
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Chillers 12,000 Btu/h per Ton 2.5 GPM per Ton (∆T = 10F) kW/ton (Water Cooled) = 0.6 kW/ton
CHWS T = 44F, CHWR T = 54F kW/ton (Air Cooled) = 1.0 kW/ton
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Cooling Towers 3.0 GPM per Ton (∆T = 10F) LCWT = 85F ECWT = 95F
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Ventilation ASHRAE 62.1 - Min CFM/person = 5 ; Max CO2 PPM = 1,000
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