If you are in the market for a new or replacement HVAC system in the Tampa area, then understanding a bit about Manual J will certainly help you make the best choices. This term will likely come up in discussion with your contractor, and being in the know will help you feel more at ease.
What Is It?
Essentially, Manual J is a set of guidelines that is used to determine how big your unit should be based upon the type of home or building and its overall size. Most of the building codes across the country require that this manual be consulted because it is the only one that can offer a precise measurement of the system size you will need. This is an important step in ultimately ensuring that you get the quality installation to which you are entitled.
Why Is It Important?
Think of it this way: if your new or replacement HVAC system is too small, it will not be able to cool your space and no matter how low you set the thermostat, the air is going to be too warm and the unit is going to work too hard. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if your system is too big, the system isn’t able to remove the moisture from the air the way it should. This makes a system that is too big work just as hard as one that is too small, resulting in serious problems in terms of comfort and the longevity of your equipment.
How Manual J Is Different
There are some contractors out there in the Tampa area who will simply determine the number of BTUs your new unit should possess based upon the number of square feet in your building. While it might make sense at first, keep in mind that these measurements are inaccurate. The load calculations that are performed with Manual J are much more precise because these allow your contractor to take things such as the shape of your building, the number of stories, the insulation type, air-sealing measures, activities and devices that generate heat within the building, and even the preferences of the occupants in determining the right size HVAC system.
Two Precise Calculations
So, rather than simply spitting out a BTU number based upon square footage, contractors who use Manual J provide two separate pieces of information for Florida residents. The first is the sensible cooling load which is the amount of air that your building needs to receive during the hottest part of the summer. The second is the latent cooling load which is the amount of moisture that the unit needs to remove during the most humid part of the year. These things are factored together to provide the right size unit for your building’s needs. Remember that bigger isn’t always better – it’s all about being precise.
If you are in need of a new or replacement HVAC system, make sure that Manual J calculations are performed according to all of the aforementioned factors. This way, you will know that your unit is the perfect size for all of your Florida cooling needs.
