FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

AIRCONDITIONING
Cooling Loads Calculations

Employer

: 4M SA

Project

: ASHRAE Office Room

: Example from ASHRAE 2013 Handbook - Fundamentals
: Chapter 18, Single Room Example (p. 18.37)

Location

: Atlanta, Georgia

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Cooling Loads

1. INTRODUCTION
This study is based upon the ASHRAE RTS methodology. Furthermore, the following literature was also used:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals 2013

ASHRAE Handbook of Systems and Equipment 2012
ASHRAE Handbook of Applications 2011
ASHRAE Standards for Natural and Mechanical Ventilation
ASHRAE Cooling and Heating Load Calculation Manual ASHRAE GRP 158

2. ASSUMPTIONS & RULES OF CALCULATION

According to ASHRAE, the general procedure for calculating cooling load for each load component (lights, people,
walls, roofs, windows, appliances, etc.) with RTS is as follows:
1. Calculate 24 h profile of component heat gains for design day (for conduction, first account for conduction time
delay by applying conduction time series).
2. Split heat gains into radiant and convective parts using radiant and convective parts.
3. Apply appropriate radiant time series to radiant part of heat gains to account for time delay in conversion to
cooling load.
4. Sum convective part of heat gain and delayed radiant part of heat gain to determine cooling load for each hour
for each cooling load component.
Analytically, for each step:

1i. Walls and roofs heat gains calculation using Conduction Time Series (CTS)
The heat input calculation is given from the following equation:
qi,-n=UA(te,-n-trc)
where:
qi,-n : Conductive heat input for the surface n hours ago
U : Overall heat transfer coefficient for the surface
A : Surface area
te,-n : Sol-air temperature n hours ago
trc : Presumed constant room air temperature
Conductive heat gain through walls or roofs can be calculated using conductive heat inputs for the current hours
and past 23h and conduction time series:
q= c0qi,+ c1qi,-1+ c2qi,-2+ c3qi,-3+ +c23qi,-23
where:
q
qi,
qi,-n
c0,c1, etc.

: Hourly conductive heat gain for the surface

: Heat input for current hour
: Heat input n hours ago
: Conduction time factors

1ii. Fenestration heat gain calculation

Fenestration heat gains can be split into three parts:
qb=AEt,bSHGC()IAC(,)
qd=A(Et,d+Et,r)<SHGC>DIACD
qc=AU(Tout-Tin)
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FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

where:
qb:

Direct beam solar heat gain

: Window area
: Beam direct irradiance
t,b
SHGC()
: Beam solar heat gain coefficient as a function of
incident angle
IAC(,)
: Indoor solar attenuation coefficient for beam solar heat gain coefficient

qd:

Diffuse solar heat gain

: Window area
: Sky diffuse irradiance
t,d
t,r
: Ground-reflected diffuse irradiance
: Diffuse solar heat gain coefficient
<SHGC>D
IACD
: Indoor solar attenuation coefficient for diffuse solar heat gain coefficient

qc:

U
Tout
Tin

Conductive heat gain

: Window area
: Overall U-factor, including frame and mounting orientation
: Outdoor temperature
: Indoor temperature

Total fenestration heat gain Q:

Q= qb + qd +qc
1iii. Interior surfaces heat gain calculation
Whenever a conditioned space is adjacent to a space with a different temperature, heat transfer through the
separating physical section must be considered. The heat transfer rate is given by:
q=U*A*(tb-ti)
where:
q
U
A
tb
ti

: Heat transfer rate

: Overall heat transfer coefficient between adjacent and conditioned space
: Area of separating section concerned
: Average air temperature in adjacent space
: Air temperature in conditioned space

Where nothing is known for the adjacent space except that it is of conventional construction contains no heat
sources and itself receives no significant solar heat gain, tb-ti may be considered the difference between the
outdoor air and conditioned space design dry-bulb temperatures minus 3 K.
1iv. Floors heat gain calculation
For floors directly in contact with the ground or over an underground basement that is neither ventilated nor
conditioned, sensible heat transfer may be neglected for cooling load estimates because usually there is a heat
loss rather than a gain.
1v. Internal heat gains calculation
1v.1. Lighting
The lighting heat gains are calculated using the following equation:
qel = W Ful Fsa
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FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

where:
qel
W
Ful
Fsa

: Heat gain
: Total light wattage
: Lighting use factor
: Lighting special allowance factor

1v.2. People
The occupants heat gains are distinguished in sensible and latent heat gains. The calculation equations of sensible
and latent heat gains are given bellow:
qs = qs, per N
ql = ql, per N
where:
qs : Occupants sensible heat gain
ql : Occupants latent heat gain
qs, per: Sensible heat gain per person
ql, per : Sensible heat gain per person
N
: Number of occupants
1v.3. Appliances
The appliances loads are distinguished in sensible load and latent load. The calculation equations are given
bellow:
qs = Qs x FU FR
q l = Ql x N
where:
qs
ql

Qs
Ql,

FU
FR
N

: Appliances total sensible load

: Appliances total latent load
: Sensible load of appliance
: Latent load of appliance
: Usage factor
: Radiation factor
: Number of appliances that operate in the space
1v.4. Ventilation and Infiltration

Air-conditioning design often requires the calculation of the sensible and latent heat gain. The equations are given
bellow:
qs = 1.23 Qst
ql = 3010 QsW
where:
qs : Sensible heat gain due to infiltration
ql : Latent heat gain due to infiltration
Qs : Infiltration airflow at standard air conditions
to : Outdoor air temperature
ti
: Indoor air temperature
Wo : Outdoor air humidity ratio
Wi : Indoor air humidity ratio
1.23 : Air sensible heat factor at standard air conditions
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FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

3010: Air latent heat factor at standard air conditions

2. Separation of heat gains in radiant and convective fractions

The cooling load for each load component (lights, people, walls, roofs, windows, appliances etc.) for a particular
hour is the sum of the convective portion of the heat gain for that hour plus the time-delayed portion of radiant heat
gains for that hour and the previous 23 h.
The following table contains recommendations for splitting each of the heat gain components into convective and
radiant portions:
Radiative
fraction
0.60
0.1 to 0.8
varies
0.46

Convective
fraction
0.40
0.9 to 0.2
varies
0.54

0.60
0.33

0.40
0.67

0.46

0.54

1.00

varies

varies

1.00

Occupants, typical office conditions

Equipment
Lighting
Conduction heat gain through walls
and floors
Conduction heat gain through roof
Conduction heat gain through
windows (SHGC > 0.5)
Conduction heat gain through
windows (SHGC < 0.5)
Solar heat gain through fenestration
(without interior shading)
Solar heat gain through fenestration
(with interior shading)
Infiltration

3. Radiant portion of sensible cooling load

The radiant part of sensible cooling load is calculated by applying RTS factors according to the following equation:
Qr,= r0qr,+ r1qr,-1+ r2qr,-2+ r3qr,-3+ +r23qr,-23
where:
Qr,
qr,
qr,-n
r0,r1, etc.

: Radiant cooling load for current hour

: Radiant heat gain for current hour
: Radiant heat gain n hours ago
: Radiant time factors

4. Convective portion of sensible cooling load

The convective part of sensible cooling load is calculated according to the following equation:
Qi,c= qi,c
where qi,c is convective portion of heat gain from heat gain element i :
qi,c= qi,s (1- Fr)
qi,s : Sensible heat gain from heat gain element i,
Fr : Fraction of heat gain that is radiant
5. Total Cooling Loads
The instantaneous room cooling load is calculated according to the following equations:
Qs= Qi,r + Qi,c
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FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

Ql= qi,l
where:
Qs
Qi,r
Qi,c
Ql
qi,l

: Room sensible cooling load

: Radiant portion of sensible cooling load for current hour, resulting from heat gain element i,
: Convective portion of sensible cooling load resulting from heat gain element i,
: Room latent cooling load
: Latent heat gain for heat gain element i,

3. PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
The computed results are given both overall and analytically for all calculated hours. In the calculation sheets the
results per space are tabulated in the following groups:
1. Building Elements table:
Surface type (e.g. W= Wall etc.)
Orientation
Length (m)
Height or Width (m)
U-factor (W/mK or Kcal/hmC)
Surface area (m2)
Number of equal surfaces
Total surface area (m2)
Subtracted surface area (m2)
Calculated surface area (m2)
Inside shading
Projection shading
Arbitrary shading coefficients
2. Loads of the above table per surface area and time (Btu/h, W, or Kcal/h)
3. Additional loads per hour (Btu/h, W, or Kcal/h)
Lighting
Population
Equipment
4. Total space loads per hour (Kbtu/h, KW, or Mcal/h)
5. Ventilation loads per hour (and maximum) (Kbtu/h, KW, or Kcal/h)
i) The first group includes the geometrical dimensions of the building elements, as well as indications of possible
shadow occurrences.
ii) In the second group the cooling loads are presented as calculated for each building element, according to the
calculation rules that were given above.
iii) The third group includes the additional loads, due to lighting, population and appliances, and given in total,
sensible and latent loads.
iv) In the last group the overall sums of the space loads per hour are given, for sensible, latent and total loads, as
well as ventilation load.
In a similar way, the system calculation sheets are presented. In these, the loads of the corresponding to each
system spaces are grouped and resolved into the different causes. Ventilation loads for each system are also
given. Finally, the shadowing coefficients are presented in separate sheets.

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FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

BUILDING PARAMETERS
City

: Atlanta

Room Temperature (C)

Indoor humidity
(%)
Difference TOUT. - T NOT AIRCOND.SP. (C)
Difference TSoil - TIndoor (C)

: 23.9
: 50
:5
: -5

Number of Levels (Floors)

Typical Level Height (m)

:2
: 2.74

Energy Units
Calculation Method

:W
: ASHRAE RTS

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
Typical Elements of Building - External walls
Outer Walls

W1
W2

Description

Brick wall
Spandrel wall

* Wall CTS Type 1

Wall CTS Type 11

Type of
ASHRAE
CLTD
-

Type of
ASHRAE
TFM
-

Type of
ASHRAE
RTS*
11
1

U-Factor
(W/mK)
0.44
0.44

Color

3 (Light)
1 (Dark)

: Spandrel glass, insulation board, gyp board

: Brick, insulation board, sheathing, gyp board

Typical Elements of Building - Roofs

Ceilings

C1

Description

Flat metal
deck

Type of
ASHRAE
CLTD
-

Type of
ASHRAE
TFM
-

Type of
ASHRAE
RTS*
11

U-Factor
(W/mK)
0.18

Color

1.3 (Light)

* Roof CTS Type 11 : Membrane, sheathing, insulation board, metal deck

Typical Elements of Building - Openings

Openings

O1

Description

Width
(m)

Double glazed 1.91

window

Calculations

Height
(m)
1.95

Openings
U Factor
(W/mK)
3.18

Frame
Type
2 (Metal or
without frame)

Glazing
system
5d. Uncoated
double glazing
system

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FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

CALCULATIONS
Level
Space
Name

: Second floor
:1
: Office room

Surfaces
Surface
Type

W1
W2
O1
W1
W2
O1
C1

Orientation U-Factor
(W/mK)

SE
SE
SE
SW
SW
SW
C

0.44
0.44
3.18
0.44
0.44
3.18
0.18

Length
(m)

1
1
1.91
1
1
1.91
3.96

Height or
Width
(m)

5.57
5.57
1.95
3.72
5.57
1.95
3.05

Surface
(m2)

5.57
5.57
3.72
3.72
5.57
3.72
12.08

Surface
Occurren
ces

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Total
Surface
(m)

5.57
5.57
3.72
3.72
5.57
3.72
12.08

Calculated Projection
Surface
Shading
(m)

5.57
5.57
3.72
3.72
5.57
3.72
12.08

SHADE

SHADE

Surfaces Shading Coefficients

Surface
Type

Calculated
Surface
01:00 02:00
(m)

03:00 04:00

05:00

06:00 07:00 08:00

09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00

W1 (SE)

5.57

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

W2 (SE)

5.57

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

O1 (SE)

3.72

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.45

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

W1 (SW)

3.72

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

W2 (SW)

5.57

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

O1 (SW)

3.72

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

C1

12.08

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

15:00 16:00

17:00

18:00 19:00 20:00

21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00

Surface
Type

Calculated
Surface
13:00 14:00
(m)

W1 (SE)

5.57

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

W2 (SE)

5.57

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Calculations

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FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

O1 (SE)

3.72

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

W1 (SW)

3.72

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

W2 (SW)

5.57

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

O1 (SW)

3.72

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.25

0.67

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

C1

12.08

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Loads per Surface and hour (W) [Roof load absorbed in the return air-stream: 30%]

Surface
Type

Calculated
Surface
01:00 02:00
(m)

03:00 04:00 05:00

06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00

10:00

11:00

12:00

W1 (SE)

5.57

14

12

10

16

W2 (SE)

5.57

-1

-1

15

33

50

63

69

O1 (SE)

3.72

10

-5

-9

53

116

180

233

274

296

W1 (SW)

3.72

14

11

W2 (SW)

5.57

-1

12

19

26

32

O1 (SW)

3.72

13

-2

-5

43

94

147

194

233

270

C1

12.08

-2

-3

-4

-5

-5

-6

-6

-2

12

21

28

22:00

23:00

00:00

Surface
Type

Calculated
Surface
13:00 14:00
(m)

15:00 16:00 17:00

18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00

W1 (SE)

5.57

22

26

30

31

32

31

30

28

25

23

20

17

W2 (SE)

5.57

68

61

51

44

38

33

27

20

14

11

O1 (SE)

3.72

303

297

276

244

208

164

110

68

51

38

27

18

W1 (SW)

3.72

10

13

17

21

25

28

28

27

24

20

17

W2 (SW)

5.57

39

55

73

87

94

90

75

49

26

15

10

O1 (SW)

3.72

299

318

322

305

269

271

222

102

69

48

34

22

C1

12.08

34

38

39

38

34

28

21

13

-1

Calculations

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FINE HVAC 14

Cooling Loads

Lighting Data (W)

Lighting Type

Coeff.

4-lamp pendant
fluorescent

Power
(W)

0.85

Total

130

110.5

Lighting Schedule and Load in Space per Hour

Title

01:00 02:00 03:00

04:00

05:00

06:00

07:00

08:00

09:00

10:00

11:00

12:00

Time
Schedule

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

Load (W)

83

93

98

100

102

102

16:00

17:00

18:00

19:00

20:00

21:00

22:00

23:00

00:00

Title

13:00 14:00 15:00

Time
Schedule

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Load (W)

103

103

104

104

105

105

28

18

13

10

People Data (W)

Degree of
Activity
Moderately
active office
work

Coeff.
Sensible

Coeff.
Latent

Number of
Persons

Total
Sensible

Total
Latent

Total

73.27

58.62

73.27

58.62

131.89

People Schedule and Load in space per hour

Title

01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00

05:00

06:00

07:00

08:00

09:00

10:00

11:00

12:00

Time
Schedule

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

Sensible
Load

53

60

63

65

66

Latent
Load

59

59

59

59

59

Total

112

119

122

124

125

Calculations

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FINE HVAC 14
Title

Cooling Loads

13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00

17:00

18:00

19:00

20:00

21:00

22:00

23:00

00:00

Time
Schedule

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Sensible
Load

67

68

68

69

17

11

Latent
Load

59

59

59

59

Total

126

126

127

127

17

11

Equipment Data (W)

Type of
Appliance
Computer and
personal
printer

Coeff.
Sensible

Coeff.
Latent

Equipment
Number

Total
Sensible

Total
Latent

Total

130

130

130

Equipment Schedule and Load in Space per Hour

Title

01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00

05:00

06:00

07:00

08:00

09:00

10:00

11:00

12:00

Time
Schedule

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

Sensible
Load

124

126

127

128

128

Latent
Load

Total

124

126

127

128

128

17:00

18:00

19:00

20:00

21:00

22:00

23:00

00:00

Title

13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00

Time
Schedule

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Sensible
Load

128

128

128

129

Latent
Load

Total

128

128

128

129

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Cooling Loads

Space Loads per hour (W)

Load Type 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00

Lighting

07:00

08:00

09:00

10:00

11:00

12:00

83

93

98

100

102

102

53

60

63

65

66

59

59

59

59

59

112

119

122

124

125

Equipment
(Sensible)

124

126

127

128

128

Equipment
(Latent)

Equipment
(Total)

124

126

127

128

128

Infiltration

19:00

20:00

21:00

22:00

23:00

00:00

People
(Sensible
Loads)
People
(Latent
Loads)
People
(Total
Load)

Load Type 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00

103

103

104

104

105

105

28

18

13

10

67

68

68

69

17

11

59

59

59

59

126

126

127

127

17

11

Equipment
(Sensible)

128

128

128

129

Equipment
(Latent)

Equipment
(Total)

128

128

128

129

Infiltration

Lighting
People
(Sensible
Loads)
People
(Latent
Loads)
People
(Total
Load)

Calculations

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Cooling Loads

Total Space Loads per Hour (W)

Load
Type

01:00 02:00

03:00

04:00

05:00

06:00

07:00

08:00

09:00

10:00

11:00

12:00

Sensible

70

48

31

14

-1

16

183

501

663

807

924

1012

Latent

59

59

59

59

59

Total

70

48

31

14

-1

16

183

560

722

866

983

1070

15:00

16:00

17:00

18:00

19:00

20:00

21:00

22:00

23:00

00:00

1104

1104

1068

823

761

549

333

238

176

134

99

Load
Type

13:00 14:00

Sensible 1071

Latent

59

59

59

59

Total

1129

1162

1163

1127

823

761

549

333

238

176

134

99

Calculations

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Cooling Loads

TEMPERATURE DATA
Date
Mean maximum temperature (C)
Daily range (C)
Outdoor Humidity (%)

Hour

To

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

: July, 23
: 33.3
: 11.4
: 44.09

Te NE
(45)

Te E
(90)

Te SE
(135)

Te S
(180)

Te SW
(225)

Te W
(270)

Te NW
(315)

Te N
(0)

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
25.9
45.9
54.8
56.3
53.1
47.2
40.9
41.5
41.5
40.8
39.0
36.6
33.8
30.2
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
25.9
48.3
61.3
66.2
64.9
59.0
49.7
41.8
41.5
40.8
39.0
36.6
33.8
30.2
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
24.0
37.1
48.6
56.3
59.8
59.2
54.7
47.6
42.0
40.8
39.0
36.6
33.8
30.2
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
22.7
25.3
29.3
33.3
41.2
47.7
51.7
53.1
51.9
48.0
41.8
37.0
33.9
30.2
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
22.7
25.3
29.0
32.7
36.0
38.9
42.4
52.1
59.5
63.5
63.1
58.6
49.7
36.4
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
22.7
25.3
29.0
32.7
36.0
38.6
40.5
45.2
56.9
66.1
70.9
70.3
62.3
43.8
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
22.7
25.3
29.0
32.7
36.0
38.6
40.3
41.7
45.8
54.1
59.9
62.1
58.1
43.1
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
24.0
31.6
33.7
33.3
36.4
38.8
40.4
41.4
41.7
41.1
39.5
39.5
39.9
35.0
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

23.3
22.8
22.5
22.1
21.9
22.1
22.9
24.9
27.0
29.0
30.7
31.8
32.7
33.3
33.3
32.6
31.7
30.6
28.9
27.6
26.6
25.5
24.8
24.0

GENERAL TABLES
Wall & Roof Conduction Time Factors
[ASHRAE Ch. 18 - Tables 16-17]

Type
W1 - 11
W2 - 1
C1 - 11

1 2 3 4 5 6
0 5 14 17 15 12
18 58 20 4 0 0
8 53 30 7 2 0

7
9
0
0

8
7
0
0

9
5
0
0

Hour
10 11
4 3
0 0
0 0

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Representative Nonsolar RTS Values for Light to Heavy Construction

[ASHRAE Ch. 18 - Table 19]
Medium with Carpet and 50% Glass

Type
Space

1 2
49 17

Calculations

3
9

4
5

5
3

6
2

7
2

8
1

Hour
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0

-14-