AC Cooling Load Calculator
Estimate the cooling load of a space in BTU per hour and refrigeration tons, so unit sizes and electrical loads can be budgeted long before tender stage.
Calculator
How the calculation works
Estimated load = floor area x a load factor per square metre, adjusted for ceiling height. In practice the factor runs from about 450 BTU/h per square metre for well insulated internal spaces to about 700 for rooms with large glazing or heavy solar exposure. One refrigeration ton equals 12,000 BTU/h.
Frequently asked questions
Does this replace a detailed cooling load calculation?
No. It is a budgeting and space-planning estimate. A detailed calculation accounts for insulation, glazing, orientation, occupancy and ventilation, and is produced by a mechanical engineer.
Why do two rooms of the same area need different loads?
Solar exposure, glazed area, occupancy, equipment heat gain and insulation quality create large differences even at identical floor area and ceiling height.
How do I convert the result into electrical demand?
Divide the cooling capacity by the unit EER to get input watts: a 24,000 BTU/h unit at an EER of 11 draws roughly 2.2 kW, before allowing for start-up current.
What does a refrigeration ton mean?
12,000 BTU per hour of cooling capacity. It is a capacity unit, not a weight, and it is how split and package units are commonly sized in the Saudi market.
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This calculator is also available in Arabic: حاسبة أحمال التكييف.