Bob's House is a case study for understanding the residential HVAC design process as described in the ACCA residential technical manuals. The ACCA residential heating and cooling system design process is a proven method, widely used by contractors, recognized by the national building codes, and endorsed by the US EPA and DOE.

Bob's House provides a better understanding of the HVAC design process, and is written for code officials, home owners, and others. It begins with the building plans and follows the process through the completion of the HVAC system design.

Also included are useful appendices that explore what would happen to Bob's house if he were in a different city, or if his builder had used different building materials, as well as the impact of other possible scenarios, and other possible variations. Appendices discuss different equipment types, duct challenges, and an provide an illustrative example of how information might be presented for a permit application.

Bob's House: Understanding the Residential HVAC Design Process presents a discussion of residential load calculations, HVAC equipment selection, HVAC duct sizing, and air distribution testing, adjusting, and balancing in a simple fashion suitable for the lay person and expert alike.

Overview
The ACCA residential heating and cooling system design process is a proven method recognized and enforced by the majority of national building codes. The ACCA design process has been used in countless homes with great success. However, there are still many people who would benefit from a better understanding of : (a) the residential HVAC design process, (b) how different elements interrelate, and (c) how to apply formation from the calculations for the best results. This case study is meant to provide that clarification. Whether you are reviewing a permit application or a proposal from a residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor, you need to understand the underlying concepts. This guided tour through "Bob's House" will provide an overview of the elements and the design sequence for:

1. Calculating a home's heating and cooling requirements.
2. Selecting the equipment to meet those requirements.
3. Designing a duct system to deliver the correct amount of conditioned air.
4. Choosing the correct grilles and registers for optimum mixing of the conditioned air for maximum comfort.

Most contractors have heard of, or are familiar with, the first step in the design process: The ANSI-approved ACCA Manual J Eighth Edition (MJ8) procedure for calculating the heat loss/ heat gain for a home. Some believe Manual J is all that is necessary for satisfactory design. However, as you will see, this important calculation is only the first important step in the journey to achieving good heating and cooling system design. This case study discusses the residential design process from start to finish, using an example home. Although it provides a comprehensive solution for this particular example, it does not cover every scenario or investigate every possible solution.

Table of Contents
Overview. Chapter 1. Manual J: Understanding a Home's Heating/Cooling Requirements. Chapter 2. Manual S: Selecting HVAC Equipment for Comfort. Chapter 3. Manual D: Proper Air Distribution. Chapter 4. Manual T: Selecting the Correct Grilles and Registers. Summary. Appendix A: What if Bob's House Were . . .? Affects on Load Calculations. Appendix B: Comments about Other Equipment Types. Appendix C: Duct System Issues and Challenges. Appendix D: Illustrative Example of Information Presented for Code Officials. Appendix E: Glossary.