RESIDENTIAL HVAC DESIGN SERVICES
Residential HVAC Design for California Homes
Design heating and cooling around the home, its climate, and the people who will use it. Wade Energy provides residential load calculations, equipment selection, duct design, air-terminal selection, and heat-pump design support coordinated with your building plans.
RESIDENTIAL HVAC CALCULATIONS & DUCT DESIGN
Manual J, Manual S & Manual D HVAC Design Services
Proper residential HVAC design starts with accurate heating and cooling load calculations. Wade Energy provides HVAC design calculations and documentation to help project teams size equipment, plan ductwork, and coordinate mechanical systems with architectural plans.
Manual J Load Calculations
Evaluate heating and cooling loads using the building layout, envelope, glazing, orientation, and local design conditions.
Manual S Equipment Selection
Compare equipment performance with the calculated loads and project design conditions.
Manual D Duct Design
Develop duct sizes and distribution paths based on room airflow needs, equipment information, and available space.
Manual T Air Terminal
Selection Select, size, and locate supply outlets and return inlets with attention to airflow, comfort, and sound.
Manual H Heat Pump
Applications Evaluate heat-pump performance, system configuration, and supplemental-heating considerations alongside the load calculations and equipment selection.
CALIFORNIA HVAC DESIGN & ENERGY COMPLIANCE
Residential HVAC Design That Works With California Title 24 Requirements
Residential HVAC design and Title 24 energy compliance are closely connected. Equipment efficiency, heating and cooling capacity, duct systems, and other mechanical design decisions can affect a building's energy compliance documentation. Wade Energy provides both residential HVAC design and California Title 24 energy compliance services, helping project teams coordinate mechanical design decisions with applicable building energy requirements.
Title 24 Energy Compliance Coordination
Coordinate residential HVAC equipment specifications and system design information with applicable California Title 24 energy compliance reports.
HVAC Design Based on Building Plans
Develop heating and cooling calculations using architectural drawings, insulation specifications, window information, and other relevant building details.
Coordination With Architects & Builders
Work with the project team to address HVAC design requirements, clarify equipment and ductwork considerations, and keep mechanical design information aligned with the building plans.
RESIDENTIAL HVAC PROJECT TYPES
HVAC Design for New Homes, ADUs, Additions & Remodels
Wade Energy provides residential heating and cooling design services for a range of California construction projects. Whether you're planning a new home or modifying an existing building, HVAC requirements depend on the building layout, construction specifications, and scope of work.
New Home Construction
Manual J load calculations, HVAC equipment selection, and duct design for new single-family homes and custom residential construction.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Residential HVAC load calculations and system design support for detached, attached, and converted accessory dwelling units.
Home Additions & Remodels
Heating and cooling load evaluations and HVAC design services for residential additions, renovations, and projects involving changes to existing systems.
Residential HVAC System Replacements
Load calculations and equipment selection support for applicable residential heating and cooling system replacement projects.
HVAC DESIGN PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
What Do You Need to Get Started With Residential HVAC Design?
HVAC Sizing Starts With the Building Loads
For projects subject to California Energy Code Section 150.0(h)1, heating and cooling loads must be determined using an accepted method, including ACCA Manual J. Section 150.0(h)5 addresses equipment selection and references Manual S-2023. Requirements for additions, alterations, and equipment replacements depend on the applicable provisions and project scope. We use project-specific load calculations to inform equipment choices and coordinate the HVAC design with the building plans.
Don’t have every detail finalized?
Send your available plans and project information. We'll identify what else is needed to evaluate your requested HVAC design scope.
RESIDENTIAL HVAC DESIGN FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions About Manual J, S & D Calculations
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A Manual J calculation determines the heating and cooling loads of a residential building. It considers factors such as insulation, windows, building orientation, room dimensions, and local climate to estimate the capacity needed to heat and cool the home.
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Manual J calculates heating and cooling loads. Manual S uses those loads to guide HVAC equipment selection. Manual D addresses duct sizing and air distribution. Together, these calculations support a coordinated residential HVAC system design.
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California residential HVAC projects must meet applicable mechanical and energy code requirements. Whether specific Manual J, S, or D documentation is required depends on the project, applicable code provisions, and local permitting authority.
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An accessory dwelling unit may require heating and cooling load calculations, equipment sizing, or mechanical design documentation depending on the proposed HVAC system and local permit requirements. Wade Energy can review your ADU plans and identify the appropriate design services.
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Yes. Wade Energy provides residential HVAC design and California Title 24 energy compliance services. Coordinating these services can help keep HVAC equipment specifications, building energy calculations, and project documentation aligned.
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Yes. Wade Energy works with architects, builders, engineers, contractors, and property owners to coordinate residential HVAC design with building plans and project requirements.
Start With Your Plans and Project Goals
We review the available plans and specifications, then hold a kickoff meeting to discuss the project's intentions, comfort goals, and design constraints.
We also ask how the home will be used: occupancy patterns, room use, thermostat preferences, noise concerns, and operating habits. These conversations help us understand the people behind the design. Behavioral insights inform the project discussion while required code calculations retain the applicable design assumptions. Your proposal defines the analysis and design deliverables included in the work.

