1. What is Cooling Tonnage?

Cooling tonnage is a measurement of a cooling system's capacity to remove heat. One ton of cooling equals the amount of heat needed to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours (12,000 BTU/hour).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cooling tonnage formula:

Where:

• \( GPM \) — Water flow rate in gallons per minute
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference between supply and return water in °F
• 500 — Constant (weight of 1 gallon of water × minutes in hour)
• 12000 — Conversion factor (BTUs per ton of cooling)

Explanation: The formula calculates how much heat energy is being removed based on water flow rate and temperature change.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Proper tonnage calculation ensures HVAC systems are correctly sized for buildings, preventing energy waste from oversized systems or inadequate cooling from undersized systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water flow rate in GPM and temperature difference in °F. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between nominal and actual tonnage?
A: Nominal tonnage is the manufacturer's rating, while actual tonnage is calculated based on real system performance measurements.

Q2: How does this relate to chiller capacity?
A: Chiller capacity is typically expressed in tons, so this calculation helps verify if a chiller is performing to specifications.

Q3: What's a typical ΔT for chilled water systems?
A: Most systems are designed for 10-12°F ΔT, though modern high-efficiency systems may use higher ΔTs.

Q4: Can this be used for other fluids besides water?
A: The formula would need adjustment for other fluids as their specific heat and density differ from water.

Q5: How does this relate to HVAC system efficiency?
A: Proper tonnage matching to building load is crucial for efficiency - oversized systems short cycle while undersized systems run continuously.