Event Description

ACCA Dry Climate Manual J and S with Wrightsoft - October 28

This full day webinar focuses on the unique residential loads and energy code encountered in the Dry Climate of California. The material covers the basic science behind ACCA Manual J load calculations and Manual S equipment selection. During this session, a sample plan is entered into Wrightsoft first using the 1975 code, since many homes meet these criteria it provides a touchstone for contractors in equipment sizing. The plan is then altered to meet the 2025 Energy Code. This allows attendees to compare the loads generated by Wrightsoft in Manual J and provides a practical opportunity the effect the energy code has on Equipment sizes. Manufacturer's expanded product data sheets are reviewed, and attendees are guided to use the correct qualifiers for California Code and Climate. Several examples are covered demonstrating the correct sizing procedure and differences in how charts and tables may look different but have the same information in an alternate format. ASHRAE 62.2 Residential ventilation requirements are reviewed and are incorporated into the Wrightsoft program. Internal loads are defined for the room-by-room design based on appliances and occupancy.

The objective -

• Understand and apply ACCA Manual J load calculations and Manual S equipment selection principles for residential applications
• Use Wrightsoft software to accurately model residential buildings load and determine proper system sizing
• Interpret manufacturer expanded product data to select HVAC equipment that meets California climate and code requirements
• Incorporate ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standards and internal loads into room-by-room design for improved efficiency and comfort

ACCA Manual D Part 1: Duct Design Principles - October 29

This full day webinar focuses on the principles involved in designing residential duct work. A practice session is included where attendees sketch a duct design based on the floor plan from the Manual J/S developed in the first session, ACCA Dry Climate Manual J and S, with Wrightsoft. During this session, Residential Equipment Sizing, (Manual S) is reviewed and duct design concepts such as location of registers, the effect of supplies and returns on each other, along with a discussion and explanation of terms like Coanda effect, terminal velocity, throw, spread and Noise Criteria (NC). ACCA Manual T principles that impact California Code and customer comfort are reviewed. Other terms that are covered and explained; external static pressure, blower static pressure/flow tables, total equivalent length, total effective length and friction rate. The plan and equipment selected in day one will be used as a basis for sketches, showing a sample layout and fitting selection prepared by attendees in a practice session. Part of the exercise requires each attendee to calculate the friction rate and determine duct diameters and velocities based on their sketch. Appendices from ACCA Manual D will be used as the source for determining equivalent lengths of ductwork. Also reviewed and discussed will be register placement and selection. A catalog from a register manufacturer is used as the various design elements of throw, terminal velocity, and spread are explained and demonstrated as part of the design.

The objective - 

• Understand and apply fundamental residential duct design principles based on ACCA Manual D and their relationship to Manual J/S calculations
• Design effective air distribution systems, including proper placement of supplies and returns, and apply concepts such as Coanda effect, throw, spread, terminal velocity, and Noise Criteria (NC)
• Interpret and apply key duct design parameters including external static pressure, friction rate, total equivalent length, and blower performance data
• Calculate duct sizes, airflow, and velocities using friction rate methods and ACCA Manual D appendices
• Develop and sketch a complete residential duct layout based on a floor plan, including fitting selection and register placement for optimal comfort and code compliance

ACCA Manual D Part 2: Duct Design with Wrightsoft - October 30

This full day webinar reviews the basic principles involved in designing residential duct work. The Wrightsoft floor plan developed on day one in Wrightsoft is used in this duct design session. The set-up of Wrightsoft to match best practices is covered and a portion of the presentation is a practical session demonstrating the process of selecting registers. A sample register schedule is reviewed and explained. The session begins with a brief review of the elements discussed on the previous two days. As the session progresses the equipment that was selected on day one is input into the Wrightsoft program. Design external static pressure is input, as well as the pressure drops from registers, grilles, balancing dampers and filters. The effect of filters on airflow and static pressure is discussed and the importance of designing larger returns and deeper filter boxes is explained and illustrated. The attendee inputs their practice sketch into Wrightsoft and one of the student's design is reviewed along with the friction rates and duct sizes. As the day progresses more advanced issues are covered such as entering second floors, vaulted ceilings, cantilever floors are included in the Wrightsoft exercise. Attendees are encouraged to have their downloaded handouts ready and available from previous sessions to review the various charts and tables required in the design process.

The objective -

• Configure Wrightsoft software for accurate residential duct design following industry best practices
• Input equipment, airflow requirements, and system pressure components into Wrightsoft to model duct system performance
• Evaluate the impact of filters, grilles, registers, and dampers on static pressure and airflow
• Design and optimize return air systems, including proper sizing and filter box configuration for improved efficiency
• Apply register selection principles and develop a register schedule based on airflow and comfort requirements
• Input and analyze duct design layouts in Wrightsoft, including validation of friction rates and duct sizing
• Design for advanced residential scenarios such as multi-story homes, vaulted ceilings, and cantilevered floors while maintaining comfort and code compliance