ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has released an interactive tutorial to support the spreadsheet that accompanies its Manual J8®-Abridged Edition (J8-AE). According to ACCA, the tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on using the Excel-based Abridged Edition residential load calculation worksheet.

The spreadsheet directs the user to the appropriate table for entering Manual J values (i.e., for windows, walls, ceilings, etc.) and then automatically uses these values to complete the load analysis, says ACCA. To fully understand the video walk-through, users are encouraged to have a copy of Manual J8-AE and to be familiar with Excel.

The online video, which was developed for ACCA by Jack Bartell of York International, explains each section of the spreadsheet, and finishes by conducting a load calculation on a hypothetical building so the user can see how it all comes together.

"One advantage of performing the load calculation using the electronic spreadsheet included with the manual is that it reduces the possibility of mathematical errors creeping in," said Glenn Hourahan, ACCA's vice president for Research & Technology. "Once the values appropriate for a given geographic area and housing type are entered into the spreadsheet, a typical block load analysis can be completed in less than 10 minutes."

To view the tutorial and download the J8-AE spreadsheet, and to purchase Manual J-8 Abridged Edition, visit www.manualj.com.

Publication date: 09/12/2005