Preliminary Cooling Load Estimation and ACU Sizing for BTCPower Cebu
Inc. Proposed Site in TIMEX Mezzanine Office Area
FROM: Julrince Kyle Zylov P. Sanglad, ME
SUBJECT: Preliminary Cooling Load Estimation – New Site Mezzanine Office Area
DATE: June 2025
1. Introduction
This report presents a preliminary estimation of the required cooling load and corresponding air-
conditioning unit (ACU) sizing for the proposed office area located in the mezzanine level of BTC Power
Cebu Inc.’s new facility in the TIMEX site. The objective is to provide an initial reference for HVAC system
planning based on available layout dimensions, assumed space usage, and comparison with existing
systems currently in operation at BTC Power Cebu Inc. Site 1.
The approach involves two estimation methods: a theoretical calculation using published rule-of-
thumb values from reputable engineering sources, and an empirical method based on the performance
of the existing floor-mounted ACU system at the current production site. The analysis includes
appropriate unit conversions, consideration of ceiling height differences, and a comparative summary of
expected ACU requirements using different unit capacities.
This document is intended as a guide for preliminary decision-making and coordination and
should be validated by a certified HVAC design professional before actual equipment sizing and
procurement.
2. Assumed Offices Dimension:
(Figure 1: Assumed area for offices - dimension and layout provided by TIMEX)
Total Area (shaded green, partitions not considered):
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 70.370 𝑚 × 18.532 𝑚 = 𝟏𝟑𝟎𝟒. 𝟏 𝒎²
Ceiling Height (manually measured):
H = 3.3 m
3. Cooling Load Calculation Via Rule of Thumb
Using the rule of thumb calculations published by Arthur A. Bell Jr in the book HVAC: Equations,
Data, and Rules of Thumb, Second Edition, Second Edition (2007), the total heat generated by an office
setting is around 300-400 ft2/ton of refrigeration (TOR), using the average value, we can use a rule of
thumb cooling load value of 350 ft2/ton of refrigeration. Then,
Converting area of assumed office space to English unit:
1 m2 = 10.764 ft2
10.764 𝑓𝑡 2
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 1304 𝑚2 × = 𝟏𝟒, 𝟎𝟑𝟓 𝒇𝒕𝟐
1 𝑚2
Calculating the cooling load:
14035 𝑓𝑡 2
𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 = = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟏 𝑻𝑶𝑹
𝑓𝑡 2
350
𝑇𝑂𝑅
Converting to HP:
1 TOR = 3.516 KW
1 HP = 0.746 KW
𝐾𝑊 𝐻𝑃
𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 40.1 𝑇𝑂𝑅 × 3.516 × 1 = 𝟏𝟖𝟗 𝑯𝑷
1 𝑇𝑂𝑅 0.746 𝐾𝑊
Based on the calculations made, 189 HP of cooling is needed to satisfy cooling requirement
based on the area of the assumed office space. The table below shows the number of air-conditioning
units needed based on cooling capacity:
ACU TYPE Cooling Capacity Number of Units
Split-Type Wall Mounted 0.5 HP 378
Split-Type Wall Mounted 1 HP 189
Split-Type Wall Mounted 1.5 HP 126
Split-Type Floor Mounted 6 HP 32
4. Cooling Load Calculation Via Observed Existing ACU Units in BTCPower Cebu Inc. Site 1
(Figure 2: BTCPower Cebu Inc. Site 1 Ground Floor Layout)
Existing System Overview
17 units × 6 HP = 102 HP total
Area served: 1761.65 m²
Converting to ft2/TOR
0.746 𝐾𝑊 𝑇𝑂𝑅
𝑇𝑂𝑅 = 102 𝐻𝑃 × = 76.1 𝑘𝑊 × 3.516 = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟔𝟓 𝑻𝑶𝑹
𝐻𝑃 𝐾𝑊
𝑓𝑡 2
𝑓𝑡 2 1761.65 𝑚2 × 10.764 2 𝟐
= 𝑚 = 𝟖𝟕𝟓 𝒇𝒕
𝑇𝑂𝑅 21.65 𝑇𝑂𝑅 𝑻𝑶𝑹
Upon calculating the existing ACU sizing of BTCPower Cebu Inc.’s Site 1, the author observed that
the production area of 1761 m2 only has 17 units of 6 HP split-type floor mounted ACU, for which by
calculation, supplies 102 HP or 21.65 TOR of cooling, which is vastly more efficient than the rule-of-thumb
calculation based on the book HVAC: Equations, Data, and Rules of Thumb, Second Edition, Second
Edition, since the area is larger and the ceiling height is higher (4.4 m) than the supposed office spaces in
the proposed new site in TIMEX. Since there is much discrepancy using the rule-of-thumb method,
another calculation is due, using the existing ACU system in subject for the approximate ACU sizing. Using
the height difference of both spaces as a factor for calculation, we have,
4.4 𝑚
𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑
3.3 𝑚
Using the factor, we can calculate the ft2/TOR to use in this calculation which is,
𝑓𝑡 2 𝒇𝒕𝟐
= 875 × 1.3333 = 𝟏𝟏𝟔𝟔
𝑇𝑂𝑅 𝑻𝑶𝑹
This means that in every Tons of Refrigeration, it can cool a space of 1166 ft 2. Calculating the
cooling load needed for the new site,
14035 𝑓𝑡 2
𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 = = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟎𝟒 𝑻𝑶𝑹
𝑓𝑡 2
1166
𝑇𝑂𝑅
Converting to HP,
3.516 𝐾𝑊
𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 12.04 𝑇𝑂𝑅 × = 𝟓𝟔. 𝟕𝟒 𝑯𝑷
𝐾𝑊
0.746
𝐻𝑃
Looking at the calculations above, it can be observed that a huge difference in the cooling load
calculation is present when using the rule-of-thumb calculation vs the adjusted calculation based on the
on-site ACU system. On another note, for a safer approach, the factor of 1.3333 can be absolved, thus
making the cooling load into:
𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑(𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔) = 56.74 𝐻𝑃 × 1.3333 = 𝟕𝟓. 𝟔𝟑 𝑯𝑷
Using both cooling loads calculated in this section, the number of ACU Units that will be
installed will be:
ACU TYPE Cooling Number of Units for Number of Units for
Capacity 56.74 HP 75.63 HP
Split-Type Wall Mounted 0.5 HP 114 152
Split-Type Wall Mounted 1 HP 57 76
Split-Type Wall Mounted 1.5 HP 39 51
Split-Type Floor Mounted 6 HP 10 13
5. Summary
This study presents three methods for estimating the cooling load of the proposed 1304.1 m²
office space located in the TIMEX site:
a. Rule-of-Thumb Method (Based on Arthur A. Bell Jr.)
Using a general value of 350 ft² per ton, the calculated requirement is approximately
189 HP, which is a conservative estimate suitable for preliminary designs without detailed
load data.
b. Site-Based Method (Using Existing System in BTC Power Site 1)
By analyzing the actual cooling performance of a 1761.65 m² production area
currently served by 17 units of 6 HP floor-mounted ACUs (total: 102 HP), it was determined
that each ton of refrigeration serves about 875 ft². Adjusting for ceiling height differences
(4.4 m vs. 3.3 m), this figure increases to 1166 ft²/TOR, reducing the projected cooling load
for the new site to 56.74 HP.
c. Adjusted Site-Based Estimate (No Height Factor Applied)
As a conservative alternative, the effect of ceiling height may be excluded to ensure a
buffer in capacity planning. This yields a mid-range cooling load estimate of 75.63 HP, which
serves as a compromise between theory and observed performance.
These three methods present a wide range of cooling load estimates (from 56.7 HP to 189 HP).
The variation emphasizes the importance of tailoring HVAC sizing not only to area but also to occupancy
density, usage, insulation, ceiling height, and actual system behavior observed on-site.
6. ACU Requirement Comparison Table
ACU TYPE Cooling Number of Units Number of Units Number of Units
Capacity for 56.74 HP for 75.63 HP for 189 HP
Split-Type Wall Mounted 0.5 HP 114 152 378
Split-Type Wall Mounted 1 HP 57 76 189
Split-Type Wall Mounted 1.5 HP 39 51 126
Split-Type Floor Mounted 6 HP 10 13 32
7. Disclaimer
1. The number of air-conditioning units (ACUs) presented in the tables above is for reference purposes
only. Final equipment count must be based on the actual cooling load requirements, considering
detailed design parameters such as room zoning, internal heat gains, unit placement, airflow design,
and equipment availability. Unit capacity grouping, redundancy, and diversity factors may also
influence final unit selection and quantity during the detailed HVAC design phase.
2. The calculations and estimates presented in this document are based on standard engineering
references, academic principles, and observed data from an existing site. While the author is a licensed
mechanical engineer with theoretical knowledge of HVAC systems, these computations are not derived
from formal professional experience in HVAC system design. As such, values should be considered
preliminary and for reference only. Final sizing, equipment selection, and system design should be
verified and approved by a practicing HVAC design professional or specialist.
8. References:
Bhatia, A. (n.d.). Cooling load calculations and principles. CED Engineering.
https://www.cedengineering.com/userfiles/M06-004%20-
%20Cooling%20Load%20Calculations%20and%20Principles%20-%20US.pdf
Bell, A. A., Jr. (2007). HVAC: equations, data, and rules of thumb (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann.
Chapter 5: Cooling load rules of thumb. Retrieved from Access Engineering database:
https://www.accessengineeringlibrary.com/content/book/9780071482424/chapter/chapter5
HVAC-ENG.COM. (n.d.). Cooling Load Rules of Thumb – Offices, Commercial. In Cooling Load Rules of
Thumb. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://hvac-eng.com/cooling-load-rules-of-thumb/#offices-
commercial
