Chapter – 8: The Cooling Load

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

2

What is cooling load? Concepts and definition

The overall process and steps in the estimation of

cooling loads

The cooling load methods

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07
3

The Cooling Load: Concepts and

definitions

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

 Energy Balance on a Zone
4

Energy Balance:

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

5
Heat gain to Cooling load

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

6 Cooling load from fluorescent lights

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

7 Solar heat gain and cooling load for different weight zones

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

8

The overall process and steps in the

estimation of cooling loads

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

9 Overall Process
 Define the design project
 Study the given building drawing
 Gather information and design data
▪ Type of building and location
▪ Building operation details
▪ Function, Activity, Interior layout
▪ Construction details
▪ Internal loads etc.
 Identify building thermal zones
 Choose a load calculation method
 Calculate design day cooling loads for each zone
 The objective is to design, select a suitable type
and proper size of HVAC system

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

 Thermal Zoning
10
 Thermal zoning: is the design-process of grouping
spaces together that have similar HVAC needs.
 Zone: is a separately controlled space or collection of
spaces
 Factors Affecting Zoning Decisions
▪ Solar Exposure
▪ Construction of the Enclosure
▪ Mass
▪ Internal Loads
▪ Use, and Ventilation Needs
▪ Infiltration (special places with large infiltration
▪ Comfort Goals
▪ Setpoints and Setbacks
▪ Multiple Tenants
▪ Cost and Expectations
2021-09-07
BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin Ref. B. Rock
ASHRAE Journal
11 Thermal Zoning
 Design Principles
▪ Zones are assembled from adjacent spaces.
▪ Interior spaces are linked with other interior spaces.
▪ Zones are composed of spaces that are arranged horizontally
within a commercial building, and not vertically.
▪ Exterior spaces are linked with some other exterior spaces of
the same solar exposure.
 Special Challenges
▪ Corner Offices
▪ Hallways
▪ Large open spaces

2021-09-07
BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin
Ref. B. Rock,
ASHRAE Journal
12

 Thermal Zones - Examples

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

13 Thermal Zones – Sun and Weather Exposure

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

14 Thermal Zones – (Sun and Weather Exposure)

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

15 Thermal Zone (Building Envelope Factor)

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

16 Thermal Zones – Internal Loads

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

17 Zoning based on Cost Considerations

2021-09-07
BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin Ref. B. Rock
ASHRAE Journal
18

Cooling Load Calculation Methods

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

19 Design Day Cooling Loads

❑ For the given building location get the design day weather data (Table C-1 Handout)
❑ Montreal Design Day
❑ Heating: -12 F
18/2
❑ Cooling: 85 F db, 71 F wb, daily range 18F
❑ Calculate cooling loads for each zone
❑ ASHRAE approved cooling load calculation methods:
▪ Heat Balance Method
▪ Transfer Function Method
▪ Radiant Time-Series Method
▪ CLTD Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

 Cooling Load Calculation Methods
▪ Heat Balance Method (HBM)
▪ most fundamental method (requires computer simulation
tools)
▪ Transfer Function Method (TFM)
▪ TFM is a close approximation to the heat balance method
(well suited for use with a computer)
▪ CLTD/CLF Method (CLTD)
▪ Simplified method derived from TFM by data fitting (hand
calculation method)
20
▪ Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM)
▪ simplified method, intended to be derived directly from HBM,
but be much easier to use; a “spreadsheet” method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

 Cooling Load and Energy Estimation Programs
▪ BLAST (US Army Construction Engineering Research Lab)
▪ Uses the Heat Balance Method (HBM)
▪ Energy Plus (NREL, DOE)
▪ Uses the heat Balance Method (HBM)
▪ eQUEST (DOE)
▪ Based on the Transfer Function Method (TFM)
▪ HAP (Carrier International)
▪ Uses the Transfer Function Method (TFM)
▪ Installed in BLDG 471 Lab
▪ Chvac (Elite Software)
▪ Uses either Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM) or the CLTD method
for Peak Loads
21 ▪ Requires ‘EnergyPro’ program for Energy Estimation
▪ TRACE (Trane Technologies)
▪ Uses the RTS Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

22

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin Reference: Dr. B. Stephenson 2021-09-07

23

(1). Heat Balance Method (HBM)

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

24 Heat Balance Method (HBM)
❖ HBM is based on the law of conservation of energy
A set of energy balance equations for an enclosed space is solved
simultaneously for a given surface and outdoor air conditions

❖ Consists of three important energy balance equations:

Heat balance on exterior surfaces
Heat balance on interior surfaces
Heat balance on indoor air

❖ It is a more fundamental method than other approaches

Makes fewer assumptions than the other methods
But is more complex to solve

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. B. Stephens
25
Heat Balance Method (HBM)

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. B. Stephens
26

(2). The CLTD Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

 BLDG 471
Dr. Zaheer
The CLTD Method
27
(Table C-1 Handout)
To = 85 F
OA
OA Temp

Indoor temp (Tz) 0 24

Exterior Wall

0 4 8 12 16 20 24

Cooling Load Temp. Difference

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07
Cooling Load Due to Solar Gains through Glass (The CLTD Method)
28
instantaneous solar gains
qsol light construction
conduction heavy construction
qcooling
UA(CLTD)cor

Enclosure
walls

floor
0 12 16 20 24
Solar heat gains entering the room The lag effects or thermal inertia effects are
are first absorbed by the enclosure greater for buildings with massive walls than light
surface, and later released to room air. (wood frame walls).

𝒒𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒕 = 𝑨 ∙ 𝑺𝑪 ∙ 𝑺𝑪𝑳(𝒕ሻ
BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07
29
The CLTD Method

Determine UA Determine wall and

values for each wall roof types and
and roof corrected CLTD

Calculate all sensible cooling

Calculate solar heat loads for each heat gain and
Determine zone
gains for each for each hour
type and SCL values
window for each
for each hour
hour

Sum sensible and

Calculate Split all heat
latent cooling loads
Design Day conduction heat Determine CLTD gains into
for each hour
outdoor gains for each corrected values for sensible and
conditions window for each each hour latent gains
hour for each
hour

Determine internal
loads (lights, Determine zone Sum all latent heat gains for
occupants, type and CLF values each hour
equipment for each for each hour
hour

Determine Determine sensible

infiltration heat and latent heat
gains for each hour gains for each hour

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

30

(3). RTS Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

31 The RTS Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. J.D. Spitler
32 RTS Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. J.D. Spitler
33 RTS Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. J.D. Spitler
34 RTS Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. J.D. Spitler

 The RTS Method
35

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. J.D. Spitler
36 RTS Method

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. J.D. Spitler

 RTS Method
37

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. J.D. Spitler
38

(4). Transfer Function Method (TFM)

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

39 Transfer Function Method (TFM)

Heat gain by conduction through exterior walls and roofs

The transfer function method (TFM) is particularly well suited for use with a computer. The heat
gain through a wall or roof is given by

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

Ref. ASHRAE
40 Transfer Function Method (TFM)
Cooling Load by Room Transfer Function
The conversion of cooling loads from heat gain depends on the heat storage characteristics of the space the
heat gain were related to the corresponding cooling load by a room transfer function (RTF), which depends
on the nature of the heat gain and on (i.e., of the walls, floor, etc., that enclose the space, and of the contents
of that space). Where the heat gain qθ is given at equal time intervals, the corresponding cooling load Qθ at
time q can be related to the current value of qθ and the preceding values of cooling load and heat gain by:

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

41 Cooling Load Methods Covered in BLDG 471

The following cooling load methods will be covered in

this course

The CLTD method (In class, hand calculations)

The RTS method (In class, hand calculations/spread sheet)
The TFM method (In Labs, by using the HAP program)

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

42
Summary

In this lecture the basic concepts of cooling loads in

buildings were covered.
The design process was summarized.
Four different cooling load calculation methods were
briefly discussed highlighting their differences and relative
accuracy.

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07

43 Next Lecture

In the next Lecture, the CLTD method will be covered

in detail and example problems will be solved.

BLDG 471 - Dr. M. Zaheeruddin 2021-09-07