ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) announced that its Fundamentals of Residential Load Calculation and System Design course has been expanded to now include comprehensive training on ACCA's Speed-Sheet spreadsheet software.

"The first subject covered is whole-house and room-by-room load calculations using Manual J8AE®. Attendees will know it inside and out," said Jim Herritage, CEM®, who teaches the class for ACCA. "They'll learn the principles behind load calculations and why homes become too hot or too cold. Participants will become proficient with ACCA's newest version of Speed-Sheet MJ8AE load calculation software, which is included in the cost of the training."

The next topic is "air-side design" starting off with Manual S®, equipment selection training. Attendees will learn how to select equipment based on its performance at Manual J® design conditions for their area of the country, and how to derive blower cfm and available external static pressure. Duct design using Manual D® then will be covered. ACCA's Professional Duct Design Slide Rule is included in tuition.

The remainder of the class covers Manual T®, room air distribution, grille and register selection, and the test.

"Students will leave the class equipped to design a complete system," Herritage emphasized. "They can get started right away doing system design when they get back to the office."

Included in the tuition cost of $695 for ACCA members ($795 for non-members) are copies of the entire ACCA residential system design library (Manuals J-8 Abridged, Manual S, Manual D, and Manual T), and a copy of the ACCA Speed-Sheet load calculation spreadsheet for Microsoft Excel.

Attendees should bring a laptop computer with them. The class is designed for contractors and their sales staffs, wholesalers, utility personnel, licensing and code officials, energy commission officials, and anyone else interested in the proper application of residential HVAC system design.

Classes have been scheduled as follows:

  • Sept. 18-21, 2006, Austin, Texas

  • Sept. 25-28, 2006, Atlanta

  • Nov. 6-9, 2006, Jacksonville, Fla.

  • Nov. 13-16, 2006, Augusta, Ga.

  • Dec. 4-7, 2006, Columbia, S.C.

  • Jan. 15-18, 2007, Clearwater, Fla.

    For more information, visit www.acca.org or contact Chris Hoelzel at 703-824-8851 or chris.hoelzel@acca.org.

    Publication date: 07/31/2006