76⏐ LOAD CALCULATIONS

4.8 EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE

Standard psychrometric charts and performance data published

by manufacturers generally assume equipment operation at sea
level. When a project is located at a significantly higher altitude,
allowances must be made. Factors by which the usual (sea level)
data must be multiplied when operating at higher altitudes are sum-
marized in Table 4-2. For items not listed, consult appropriate
sources, such as the Engineering Guide for Altitude Effects (Car-
rier) or contact equipment manufacturers.

Table 4-2. Altitude Correction Factors*

Item Altitude, ft [m]
2500 5000 7500 10,000
[762] [1525] [2285] [3050]
Compressors 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Condensers, air-cooled 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.80
Condensers, evaporative 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03
Condensing units, 0.98 0.97 0.95 0.93
air-cooled
Chillers 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Induction room terminals 0.93 0.86 0.80 0.74
(chilled water)
Fan-coil units
Total capacity 0.97 0.95 0.93 0.91
(SHR† = 0.40 – 0.95)
Sensible capacity 0.92 0.85 0.78 0.71
(SHR = 0.40 – 0.95)
Total capacity 0.93 0.86 0.79 0.73
(SHR = 0.95 – 1.00)
Packaged air-conditioning
units, air-cooled condenser
Total capacity 0.98 0.96 0.94 0.92
(SHR† = 40 – 0.95)
Sensible capacity 0.92 0.85 0.78 0.71
(SHR = 0.40 – 0.95)
Total capacity 0.96 0.82 0.88 0.84
(SHR = 0.95 – 1.00)
* Table excerpted by permission from Engineering Guide for Altitude Effects (Carrier)
† SHR = sensible heat ratio = (sensible heat) / (sensible + latent heat)