MEP estimating service
HVAC Load Calculations for Florida Buildings
ACCA Manual J residential and commercial cooling and heating load calculations that account for Florida heat, humidity, glazing and orientation, so equipment is sized right for comfort, code and cost.
- Manual J, Manual S and Manual D support
- Latent load and dehumidification focus
- Room-by-room loads for duct design
Free quote
Send plans. Get a firm quote.
- Quote back after a quick plan review
- Typical delivery in 24–48 hours
- Excel estimate + marked-up drawings
- Priced to Florida labor and material rates
Or email ask@floridamepestimating.com
24–48 hr typical turnaround
NDA-protected plans
Florida Building Code aware
Florida labor & material pricing
Overview
In Florida, the latent load matters as much as the temperature
An oversized air conditioner in Florida cools the house fast, shuts off and leaves the air damp. That’s how homes end up feeling clammy at 74 degrees and why mold shows up in closets. An undersized system runs all day and never catches up in August. A proper load calculation avoids both.
We prepare HVAC load calculations using ACCA Manual J for homes and recognized commercial load methods for larger buildings. Each calc uses the building’s actual orientation, window specs, insulation levels, duct location and occupancy, with Florida design conditions. The result is room-by-room heating and cooling loads, total sensible and latent loads, and a recommended equipment range.
Load calcs feed straight into equipment selection and duct design, and they’re the basis for an accurate HVAC estimate.
What's included
What's included in a load calculation
- Room-by-room cooling and heating loads
- Sensible and latent load breakdown
- Florida design temperatures and humidity
- Window, door and skylight performance (U-factor, SHGC)
- Wall, roof and floor assemblies
- Duct location and leakage assumptions
- Infiltration and mechanical ventilation loads
- Internal gains: occupants, lighting and appliances
- Equipment sizing range (Manual S guidance)
- Airflow per room to support duct design
- Summary report for the permit package
- Options to compare (e.g. better windows vs. bigger unit)
Florida factors
Why Florida load calcs are different
Florida’s climate is hot and humid for most of the year. That means equipment has to handle a large latent (moisture) load, not just a temperature difference. Ventilation air brings in more humidity, and code-required fresh air in tight new homes and commercial buildings makes dehumidification a design issue, not an afterthought.
Solar gain is the other big factor. West-facing glass, sliding doors and large windows in coastal homes can drive peak loads up sharply. A load calc that uses actual window specs and orientation often lets you choose smaller equipment with better humidity control, or shows where window upgrades pay off. The Florida Energy Conservation Code also expects load calculations for residential systems, so a good calc helps at permitting.
At a glance
Load calculation types
| Type | Used for | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Residential load (Manual J) | New homes, additions, replacements | ACCA Manual J |
| Equipment selection | Matching equipment to loads | ACCA Manual S |
| Duct design support | Room airflow and duct sizing | ACCA Manual D |
| Commercial cooling load | Retail, office, light commercial | Recognized commercial methods (e.g. ASHRAE-based) |
| Ventilation | Outdoor air quantities | ASHRAE 62.1 / 62.2 as applicable |
Scope gaps we catch
Load calc shortcuts that lead to bad HVAC
Rules of thumb like ‘a ton per 500 square feet’ cause most HVAC sizing problems in Florida. We avoid shortcuts like these.
- Ignoring west-facing glass and sliding doors
- Using default window values instead of actual SHGC and U-factor
- Skipping latent load and ventilation moisture
- Assuming ducts are in conditioned space when they're in the attic
- Adding safety factors on top of already conservative inputs
- Sizing equipment to the whole-house peak without checking room airflows
Our process
How our MEP estimating process works
- 01
Send your plans
Upload PDFs, CAD files or a bid-portal link with specs, addenda and the bid date. A quick scope note helps.
- 02
Get a fixed quote
We confirm scope, price and delivery date before any work starts. No surprises on the invoice.
- 03
Takeoff & pricing
Estimators count and measure every MEP item, then price labor and material for the project's Florida location.
- 04
Senior QA review
A second estimator checks quantities, scope gaps and math against the drawings and specs.
- 05
Bid-ready delivery
You get the Excel estimate, marked-up drawings and a clarifications list you can send with your bid.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what contractors usually ask before sending plans. Don’t see your question? Call or email us.
Do I need a Manual J for a replacement system?
Florida’s energy code and many local building departments expect a load calculation for new and replacement systems. Even where not enforced, a calc helps avoid oversizing.
Can you tell me what size unit to install?
We provide calculated loads and a recommended equipment capacity range. The final selection depends on the specific equipment’s performance data at Florida conditions.
Do you account for humidity?
Yes. Latent load is calculated separately, which helps you pick equipment that controls moisture as well as temperature.
Do you do commercial load calcs?
Yes, for light commercial and many commercial buildings. Very large or complex buildings may need the engineer of record’s energy model.
How long does a load calc take?
Most single-family load calcs are delivered within 1 to 2 business days after we receive complete plans and specs.
Can you price the HVAC system too?
Yes. Many clients order the load calc and a full HVAC estimate together.
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- Call1 (816) 683-1595
- Office349 State Ln, Orlando, FL 32801