Let’s look at how to use the cooling load check figures to validate your model in under 10 minutes.
Find your building type. Calculate your W/m². Compare. Adjust. Only then do you have an engineering judgement you can defend.
These tables provide (or Btu/h·ft²) ranges for total cooling loads based on building type and glazing percentage. cooling load check figures ashrae pdf
“ASHRAE Cooling Load Check Sheet (PDF)” – A one-page checklist comparing W/m² for 12 building types. (Note: Create this as a lead magnet or internal tool.) Author Note: Always refer to the current ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals for official tables. Values cited here are for educational illustration of the methodology.
Suppose your calculation came back at 90 W/m² for a retail store (ASHRAE range 150–250). You are 50% low . Something is wrong. Let’s look at how to use the cooling
We’ve all been there. You’ve spent three hours inputting walls, windows, roofs, and internal loads into your HAP, Trace, or IESVE model. The software spits out a number: 124.7 kW (35.6 tons) .
But does that feel right?
Let’s say you modeled a 2,000 m² (21,500 ft²) mid-rise office building (perimeter zones). Your software says total cooling load = 280 kW .