Loadcalc.net needs some input

[garyed]

I've been working on a full blown online room by room load calculation & am looking for some critique & ideas for any features that might be added .
It will be virtually the same as the Whole house program but with a choice to do either Block load or room by room.
It will use cookies which depending on your browser settings will allow you to save your data for up to a week.
I've only got five rooms done for now but I plan to make it where you can have up to 20 rooms with a basement.
I'd really appreciate any feedback if anyone wants to try it out at: https://loadcalc.net/roombyroom/

[R600a]

I took a look and I will have to try it out later. Looks nice. I was just this summer thinking that it would be nice if it did room by room.
Thank you for your work.

Sent from the Okie state usin Tapatalk

[garyed]

I've had a quite few requests for doing room by room loads so I started giving it some thought. The whole idea from the beginning was to make something quick & easy that would fit on one page & yet still be professionally accurate. After giving it some thought I figured I could still keep it that way & just give the user a choice of whether to do a simple whole house block load or a more involved room by room load.
I've been trying to decide if 20 rooms max would be enough. I don't remember doing any houses with over 20 rooms which would include bathrooms & closets but I could always add more if there is a need.
I'm also trying to see if there are any features I could add that might be helpful assuming I have the capabilities to do them.

[Vinster]

Hey Garyed, How come it won't let me go past five rooms on the room by room load calc?

[R600a]

Hey Garyed, How come it won't let me go past five rooms on the room by room load calc?

He stated above that he only has it up to 5 rooms.

Sent from the Okie state usin Tapatalk

[garyed]

Hey Garyed, How come it won't let me go past five rooms on the room by room load calc?

I'm still in the planning stages so i didn't want to put up any more rooms until I get everything working the way I want it to. I've only got five rooms loaded up for now but I'll probably add more rooms next week. I'm really just trying to get some feedback now to see if there's anything else I need to add besides the rooms.

[Vinster]

cool thanks, I thought it was me

[dan sw fl]

I'm still in the planning stages so i didn't want to put up any more rooms until I get everything working the way I want it to. I've only got five rooms loaded up for now but I'll probably add more rooms next week. I'm really just trying to get some feedback now to see if there's anything else I need to add besides the rooms.

Add
1. Air flow rates are blank.
2. Low-E windows that have lower SHG and U-factor ( < 0.26) than is currently set-up for selection
3. Significantly LOWER infiltration and ventilation amounts combined to reflect ASHTR 62.2 - 2013
___________ 0.03 * A + 7.5 ( n.br+1)

Examples & specifics to be provided later via e-mail.

All other items seem to be fine.

[garyed]

Dan, I was hoping you would reply to see if you had any ideas for me. Thanks for the input & I'll try to address them.

Add
1. Air flow rates are blank.

If you're talking about the CFM selection then I intentionally left it blank so the user can input the CFM based on the equipment selection. Most of us assume between 350 to 400 CFM per ton but until a Manual S is performed using equipment specs, it's still just a guess as what the total CFM will really be.

2. Low-E windows that have lower SHG and U-factor ( < 0.26) than is currently set-up for selection

That's a great idea but I don't know where to get all the specs I need to add them. The lowest U-factor I have in my book for Low-E is 0.40

3. Significantly LOWER infiltration and ventilation amounts combined to reflect ASHTR 62.2 - 2013
___________ 0.03 * A + 7.5 ( n.br+1)

The formula I'm using for fresh air ventilation is CFM=(cubic ft. * 0.35/60) - (infiltration CFM)

Examples & specifics to be provided later via e-mail.

All other items seem to be fine.

Anyways I've run into a snag with the room by room for now & I'm trying to figure a way around it.
The problem I didn't allow for was the browser's capability to store enough cookies to keep your work when you keep adding rooms.
Most browser's have a limitation that will not allow all the data entered into more than a few rooms to be stored. I can store them on my server but the time limitation would not be practical.
I store the data on the Whole house Loadcalc on my server for about 20 or so minutes from the last calculation but I wanted to give the user an opportunity to store the room by room for a week or more.
That would be best if the data entered stayed on the users computer so I'm trying to figure a work around. Again, thanks for all the input

[dan sw fl]

Dan, I was hoping you would reply to see if you had any ideas for me. Thanks for the input & I'll try to address them.


If you're talking about the CFM selection then I intentionally left it blank so the user can input the CFM based on the equipment selection. Most of us assume between 350 to 400 CFM per ton but until a Manual S is performed using equipment specs, it's still just a guess as what the total CFM will really be.

That's a great idea but I don't know where to get all the specs I need to add them. The lowest U-factor I have in my book for Low-E is 0.40

The formula I'm using for fresh air ventilation is CFM=(cubic ft. * 0.35/60) - (infiltration CFM)



Anyways I've run into a snag with the room by room for now & I'm trying to figure a way around it.
The problem I didn't allow for was the browser's capability to store enough cookies to keep your work when you keep adding rooms.
Most browser's have a limitation that will not allow all the data entered into more than a few rooms to be stored. I can store them on my server but the time limitation would not be practical.
I store the data on the Whole house Loadcalc on my server for about 20 or so minutes from the last calculation but I wanted to give the user an opportunity to store the room by room for a week or more.
That would be best if the data entered stayed on the users computer so I'm trying to figure a work around. Again, thanks for all the input

Data on ANDERSON RENEWAL ... as low as 0.17 S.H.G.C.
_______________ ______ LOW-E4

https://www.renewalbyandersen.com/wi.../options/glass

https://awwebcdnprdcd.azureedge.net/...-400series.pdf

[garyed]

Data on ANDERSON RENEWAL ... as low as 0.17 S.H.G.C.
_______________ ______ LOW-E4

Thanks, I copied their window chart & I'll see if I can work it in later. I'll probably just pick one or two windows around the 0.27 range & give an option for something like extra-Low-E.

[dan sw fl]

Thanks, I copied their window chart & I'll see if I can work it in later.

I'll probably just pick one or two windows around the 0.27 range
& give an option for something like extra-Low-E.

SHGC MID 0.20's is mandated by IECC Table R402.1.2 in Climate Zones 1, 2 & 3 for the PRESCRIPTIVE Method
~ 0.27 is what I see everyday in FL NEW construction .

_ S.H.G.C.< 0.22 will likely not be that common
_However, it is highly likely to be used by those designing for HIGH PERFORMANCE, Solar PV sourced residences
______ or Net Zero Buildings in the coming decade.

+ there are those Quite Extravagant homes where the Glass-to-Floor area ratios
are > 18% to < 35%.

[ Example: one 2019 SW FL project: 2,000 square feet of glass & 4,600 square foot floor area ].

Light Transmittance (LT) at < 0.40 is not my idea of a " well lite" environment
in traditional style home designs.

[teddy bear]

All these load calcs are based on the peak heating and cooling.
That is important, but what about the more common time during the 3 mild seasons of the year in green grass climates where the sensible cooling load is minimum yet the latent load is mid to high plus the latent from the occupants. Fresh air should be calculated at fresh air change in 3 hours which is recommended by ASHRAE. The fresh air ventilation is recommended by many codes to purge indoor air pollutants and renew oxygen.
A/c is unable to maintain 50%RH during the evenings and rainy days.

The home will be damp unless a supplemental dehumidification is added to be able to remove the peak latent load during evenings and rainy days.
Multi-speed a/c will not fix this basic problem.
Go figure!
Regards Teddy Bear

[dan sw fl]

I've had a quite few requests for doing room by room loads so I started giving it some thought. The whole idea from the beginning was to make something quick & easy that would fit on one page & yet still be professionally accurate. After giving it some thought I figured I could still keep it that way & just give the user a choice of whether to do a simple whole house block load or a more involved room by room load.
I've been trying to decide if 20 rooms max would be enough.

I don't remember doing any houses with over 20 rooms which would include bathrooms & closets but I could always add more if there is a need.

I'm also trying to see if there are any features I could add that might be helpful assuming I have the capabilities to do them.

10 rooms / areas PER FLOOR would be adequate.

Calculation can be performed once per floor.

_ Bath Rooms /Closets / Hallways < 45 square feet can be combined with other areas.
_ Interior spaces frequently result in < 0.20 CFM / square foot

Infiltration and Ventilation per ASHRAE Std 62.2 -2013

Example of multi-room [ qty. 2 / 1 per floor] attached

------ 2 FLOORS at 1,200 Sq Feet Each.
____ ~ 1,200 Sq Foot / Ton

There are house with well over 20 rooms.
However, they are >> 3,500 square feet.

~ 200 areas in the local CASTLE / 34,000 { not a typo} square feet that I worked on in 2019.
~ 320 windows. YES, it took a while to model.

14 A/C Systems

[ga-hvac-tech]

Years ago... I was asked by a realtor to service all the AC's on a 10K ft house...
House had 6x Trane VS systems... took the better part of the day to check them all out...

I am not sure what these folks build mansions like that for...
Other than 'because they can'...
My pool is nicer (and larger) than the one at that mansion.

[garyed]

10 rooms / areas PER FLOOR would be adequate.

Calculation can be performed once per floor.

_ Bath Rooms /Closets / Hallways < 45 square feet can be combined with other areas.
_ Interior spaces frequently result in < 0.20 CFM / square foot

Infiltration and Ventilation per ASHRAE Std 62.2 -2013

Example of multi-room [ qty. 2 / 1 per floor] attached

------ 2 FLOORS at 1,200 Sq Feet Each.
____ ~ 1,200 Sq Foot / Ton

There are house with well over 20 rooms.
However, they are >> 3,500 square feet.

~ 200 areas in the local CASTLE / 34,000 { not a typo} square feet that I worked on in 2019.
~ 320 windows. YES, it took a while to model.

14 A/C Systems

On the coding side, it's really not that much more work to do 30 rooms than to do 2 rooms but it's the data limitations that are the problems. I've already tried the Loadcalc with 20 rooms & it will not work because none of the web browsers like Firefox, Chrome etc.. will let you store that much data in all those rooms. Just using two rooms for upstairs & downstairs should work fine but I'd like to offer more especially since I've already got most of the work done. I think I've come up with a solution that would work & it would allow you to keep your work for 24 hrs. It will be a little while before I can get it up & running. I do need to go over the ventilation stuff too but I'm not sure I understand it correctly.

[garyed]

Add
1. Air flow rates are blank.
2. Low-E windows that have lower SHG and U-factor ( < 0.26) than is currently set-up for selection
3. Significantly LOWER infiltration and ventilation amounts combined to reflect ASHTR 62.2 - 2013
___________ 0.03 * A + 7.5 ( n.br+1)

Examples & specifics to be provided later via e-mail.

All other items seem to be fine.

I just added an Ultra - Low E selection for Windows using U-Value 0.27 & SHGC of 0.35 I might just add a few different lower U-Values later but I don't want to overdo it by giving too many choices.

[dan sw fl]

I just added an Ultra - Low E selection for Windows using U-Value 0.27 & SHGC of 0.35 I might just add a few different lower U-Values later but I don't want to overdo it by giving too many choices.

Example
Comparison of what might be A TYPICAL construction in the last decade or so.

Ultra - Low E = Low e3 actually / ... There is a Low e4
___________ ______________ ___ / ___ SHGC ~ 0.22

_________________________ 256 Square Feet
___________________ Windows 6,864 ___ 2,834 BTU/ HR

________________________ 26.8 BTU-Hr/ SF

Attachments

[dan sw fl]

Example
Comparison of what might be A TYPICAL construction in the last decade or so.

DOUBLE PANE w/ Blinds Versus Low e3 in previous post
___________ _____________

_______________ 256 Square Feet
_______ Windows 9,024 ___________ 5,983 BTU/ HR

_______________ 35.3 BTU-Hr/ SF


Attachments

[garyed]

DOUBLE PANE w/ Blinds Versus Low e3 in previous post
___________ _____________

_______________ 256 Square Feet
_______ Windows 9,024 ___________ 5,983 BTU/ HR

_______________ 35.3 BTU-Hr/ SF


Attachments

Hi Dan,
That's a good comparison. Adding the U-Value is easy because that is a straight forward formula but adding the SHGC is where the problem comes in. I have to get a different factor for every direction at different TD's to use as a multiplier to come up with the heat gain & I can't find a formula to do it. The lowest chart I can find only goes down to 0.35. Do you have any access to either a chart or a formula that I could use to get those factors from the SHGC to use for each direction? I was thinking about trying to come up with a formula myself using the existing charts I have but I'd rather get something that is already accepted.