HVAC Cooling Load Calculator
Calculate cooling and heating loads for HVAC system sizing. Accounts for room dimensions, climate zone, orientation, windows, occupancy, and equipment heat gains.
Top floor or flat roof with sun exposure
~400 BTU/hr per person
Computers, appliances, lighting
Cooling Load
2.8 kW
Tonnage
0.8 TR
BTU/hr
10k
9,609 BTU/hr
Recommended AC Unit
1 Ton (12,000 BTU)
Includes 15% safety factor
Notes:
- 1 Ton of Refrigeration = 12,000 BTU/hr = 3.517 kW
- Safety factor of 15% included for peak loads
- Actual sizing may vary based on specific conditions
- Consider additional capacity for kitchen areas
- Consult HVAC engineer for precise system design
DISCLAIMER
This calculator provides ESTIMATES for preliminary planning purposes. Results are based on standard assumptions and may not reflect your specific project conditions.
By using this tool, you acknowledge that:
1. All calculations are approximate and based on typical industry standards and assumptions.
About This Calculator
The HVAC Cooling Load Calculator helps MEP engineers and contractors size air conditioning systems for buildings across the UAE and Gulf. Calculate total cooling loads accounting for transmission through walls/roof, solar gains through windows, internal heat from people and equipment, and ventilation requirements. Optimized for Gulf climate conditions with high outdoor temperatures and solar intensity.
When to Use This Calculator
- Sizing air conditioning systems for new buildings
- Selecting AC tonnage for residential villas
- Designing central chilled water systems for towers
- Verifying HVAC consultant's load calculations
- Estimating cooling costs for project budgets
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Room Dimensions
Input room length, width, and height to establish the space volume.
Define Envelope
Specify wall/roof construction, U-values, orientation, and glazing percentages.
Set Climate Data
Select location (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, etc.) for design temperatures.
Add Internal Loads
Include occupancy numbers, lighting watts, and equipment heat gains.
Review Results
Get total cooling load in BTU/hr, kW, and TR (tons of refrigeration).
Typical Scenarios in UAE & Gulf Projects
A 20-story office tower needs central cooling load calculation. Using Gulf design temperature (46°C outside, 23°C inside), the calculator determines 1,200 TR total load: 40% envelope, 25% solar, 20% internal, 15% ventilation. This sizes the chiller plant and electrical supply.
A 500m² villa requires split AC sizing for each room. West-facing living room (50m²) shows 4.5 TR load due to afternoon solar gains through 6m² glazing. Calculator recommends 5 TR unit with dehumidification for Gulf humidity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take Your Calculations Further
This calculator reflects the logic built into Arkan's construction management platform.
Last Updated: January 2026
Standards Reference: Calculations based on ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals and Gulf climate data