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Residential HVAC Design — Start to Finish

One real house — a 2,400 sq ft, 2-story single-family residence in a mixed-humid climate — carried through all 6 stages of residential HVAC design, from Manual J load calculation to a finished commissioning checklist.

6 steps. Steps 1-2 are free. Steps 3-6 unlock with a one-time $4.99 purchase.

6 StepsManual J/DReal CalculatorsOne House, Start to Finish

The Workflow

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Step 1
Manual J Load Calculation

Room-by-room heating and cooling load per ACCA Manual J, sized against this house's real envelope.

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Step 2
Equipment Selection

A heat pump with electric backup, sized to the calculated load and checked at real design conditions.

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Step 3🔒
Duct Design

Supply and return ductwork sized per Manual D — trunk sizing, branch runs, static pressure budget.

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Step 4🔒
Ventilation

Whole-house mechanical ventilation sized per ASHRAE 62.2 for this tightly-sealed house.

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Step 5🔒
Controls

Staging strategy, thermostat selection, and zoning for the 2-story heat pump system.

Step 6🔒
Commissioning Checklist

The finished system verified — airflow, refrigerant charge, static pressure, and controls all confirmed.

Educational project reference. This project walks through a realistic scenario using the site's real calculators and written guides — it is a learning and reference resource, not a permit-ready construction document. Final system design, code compliance, and installation require a licensed engineer or contractor. See our full disclaimer.