Sign-In
Cart
HVAC Math Handbook: A Complete Guide to Load Calculations, Formulas, Unit Conversions, Airflow, and Practice Problems for Heating, Cooling, & Refriger
Paperback
Technology & EngineeringGeneral Construction & RenovationGeneral Education
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Sep 2 2026
Pages: 478
Weight: 2.42
Height: 0.96 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.00
Language: English
Four hundred cubic feet per minute per ton. A constant of 1.08 on the air side and 500 on the water side. Every heating, cooling, and refrigeration technician runs on numbers like these - and almost nobody can say where they come from, or when they stop being true.
That is because the trade's arithmetic is scattered: a sizing table here, a manufacturer's bulletin there, a slide chart on the back of a pressure-temperature card, a rule of thumb passed down a shop until nobody remembers what it was derived from. It works until the job leaves standard conditions - a duct run at altitude, an air handler in a hundred-and-forty-degree attic, a nameplate that mixes two measurement systems. The technician who has only memorized the number is stuck the moment the table runs out. And a wrong number in this trade is never an abstraction: it is an oversized furnace, a starved coil, a callback, a compressor that dies young.
This handbook was built to close that gap. It gathers the calculations a technician actually performs - on a service call, at a start-up, during a replacement estimate - and works each one through from the physical relationship that produces it to the number written on the invoice. Where a shortcut exists, the derivation that justifies it comes first, along with the conditions under which it fails.
What you will take from it:
- One conversion method that handles any unit conversion, including ones you have never seen before
- The sensible, latent, and total heat equations - and how to correct their constants when conditions are not standard
- A complete heat loss and heat gain calculation, from design conditions to room-by-room equipment selection
- Airflow verified by duct traverse and by temperature rise, the fan laws, and duct sizing by friction loss against available static pressure
- The refrigeration cycle read from two gauges and two thermometers - superheat, subcooling, compression ratio, and charge limits for the newer mildly flammable refrigerants
- Combustion arithmetic: clocking a meter, input, output, efficiency, temperature rise, and gas pipe sizing
- Pump curves, glycol corrections, and expansion tanks on the water side; amperage, voltage drop, and power factor on the electrical side - through operating cost and simple payback.
The apparatus is built for learning and for the truck: 141 fully worked examples showing the equation, the substitution, and the units at every step; more than 400 end-of-chapter practice problems, each answered with a complete worked solution; a master conversion appendix with exact factors; every equation in the book collected in one place; reference data tables; a field quick reference; and a glossary of roughly 190 terms. Chapters are self-contained enough to open anywhere and cross-referenced enough to read straight through. Units follow United States practice, with an appendix for working any calculation in the units used across the English-speaking world.
It is written for the apprentice meeting this material for the first time, the trade-school or community-college student with an exam ahead, the working technician tired of trusting numbers he cannot check, and the estimator or service manager who checks them.
Stop working from numbers you cannot verify. Get your copy and start carrying the arithmetic that holds up when the table runs out.
Also from
Engineering Press, Ridgeline
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Handbook: A Complete Guide to HVAC Systems, Heat Pumps, Coolants, Installation, Service, and Troubleshooting for Te
Engineering Press, Ridgeline
Paperback
Also in
General Construction & Renovation
City Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis
Basile, Lisa Marie
Paperback
Creating the Not So Big House: Insights and Ideas for the New American House
Susanka, Sarah
Hardcover
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home
Stewart, Martha
Hardcover
This Oak House: A Renovation Story with Interiors to Inspire Your Own Home
Meyers-Shyer, Annie
Hardcover
Best-Selling 1-Story Home Plans, 5th Edition: Over 360 Dream-Home Plans in Full Color
Editors of Creative Homeowner
Paperback
The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home
McGee, Shea
Hardcover
Big Book of Small Home Plans, 2nd Edition: Over 360 Home Plans Under 1200 Square Feet
Design America Inc
Paperback
Small Engines and Outdoor Power Equipment, Updated 2nd Edition: A Care & Repair Guide For: Lawn Mowers, Snowblowers & Small Gas-Powered Imple
Editors of Cool Springs Press
Paperback
Interiors: A Home Renovation and Interior Design Book: Curated Spaces from Start to Finish
Lewis, Amber
Hardcover
Black and Decker Advanced Home Wiring Updated 6th Edition: Current with 2023-2026 Codes - Featuring Instructions For: Backup Power, Panel Upgrades, Af
Editors of Cool Springs Press
Paperback
DIY Solar Projects for Beginners: Small and Easy Projects to Whole-Home Systems That Use the Sun
Smith, Eric
Paperback
Code Check Electrical 10th Edition: An Illustrated Guide to Wiring a Safe House
Mathewson, Glenn
Hansen, Douglas
Kardon, Redwood
Paperback
Good Character: Design with Intention to Reveal Your Home's Personality
St Russell, Stephen
St Russell, David
Hardcover
Ultimate Guide: Small Space Kitchen Gardens: How to Plan, Plant, and Harvest High-Yield Vegetable Gardens
Koziol, Nina
Paperback
Building Outdoor Kitchens for Every Budget, 2nd Edition: DIY Instructions and Over 300 Photos for Attractive and Functional Kitchens No Matter Your Bu
Slavik, Diane
Cory, Steve
Paperback
Ultimate Book of Home Plans, Completely Updated & Revised 4th Edition: Over 680 Home Plans in Full Color: North America's Premier Designer Network: Sp
Editors of Creative Homeowner
Paperback
The Layered Home: An Interior Design Book: Inspiration for Crafting Cozy, Collected Rooms
Reynaert, Benjamin
Hardcover
Martha Stewart's Organizing: The Manual for Bringing Order to Your Life, Home & Routines
Stewart, Martha
Hardcover
Ultimate Guide: Decks, Updated 6th Edition: Plan, Design, Build
Editors of Creative Homeowner
Paperback
Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement, 3rd Updated Edition: Proven Money-Saving Projects; 3,400 Photos & Illustrations
Editors of Creative Homeowner
Hardcover
Best-Selling House Plans, Updated & Revised 5th Edition: Over 240 Dream-Home Plans in Full Color
Design America Inc
Paperback
Cozy Cottage & Cabin Designs, Updated 2nd Edition: 200+ Cottages, Cabins, A-Frames, Vacation Homes, Apartment Garages, Sheds & More
Design America Inc
Paperback
The Forgotten Skills of Independence: 200+ Lost Survival, Homesteading & Off-Grid Skills to Become Fully Self-Sufficient
Press, Stonebridge
Paperback
Tree Houses Within Reach: 30 Lofty Cabins, Playhouses, and Getaways You Can Actually Build
Diedricksen, Derek
Paperback
The Smart Approach to Design: Bathrooms, Revised and Updated 3rd Edition: Complete Design Ideas to Modernize Your Bathroom
Editors of Creative Homeowner
Paperback
Budget Luxury: Your Guide to Creating a Beautiful Home Without Breaking the Bank
Sullivan, Clare
Hardcover
Trellises, Planters & Raised Beds for Beginners: 30+ Easy, Unique, and Useful Projects You Can Make with Common Tools and Materials
Editors of Cool Springs Press
Paperback
Dare to Repair: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home
Glakas-Tenet, Stephanie
Sussman, Julie
Paperback
High Yield, Small Space Organic Gardening: Practical Tips for Growing Your Own Food
Wilhelmi, Christy
Paperback
Black & Decker the Complete Guide to Wiring, Updated 9th Edition: Current with 2023-2026 Electrical Codes
Editors of Cool Springs Press
Paperback
Stuff Every Adult Should Know: A Pocket-Sized Guide to Grown-Up Know-How, from Taxes to Small Talk
Favreau, Alyssa
Kalb, Alanna
Cohen, Brett
Hardcover
Homesteading for Health: One Farm Family's Guide to Food, Land, and Self-Sufficiency
Malone, Jill Glasspool
Malone, Robert W.
Hardcover
The Dorm Room Guide: The Complete Handbook for Preparing, Packing, and Living Well in College
Becker, Lara
Paperback
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-To-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes
Zimmerman, Elizabeth
Paperback
Ultimate Waterfront Home Plans: 179 Designs Ideal for Personal, Family, Company Retreats
Design America Inc
Paperback
Pretty Good House: A Guide to Creating Better Homes
Mottram, Emily
Maines, Michael
Kolbert, Daniel
Hardcover
Essential Off-Grid Survival Projects: 50 Life-Saving Solutions for Shelter, Water, Food, and Safety
Furneaux, Ky
Hardcover
Tiny House Design & Construction Guide: Your Guide to Building a Mortgage Free, Environmentally Sustainable Home
Louche, Dan S.
Paperback
Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff: Declutter, Downsize, and Move Forward with Your Life
Paxton, Matt
Paperback
A Kid's Guide to Sewing: Learn to Sew with Sophie & Her Friends: 16 Fun Projects You'll Love to Make & Use
Kerr, Sophie
Paperback
The Laundry Book: The Definitive Guide to Caring for Your Clothes and Linens
Pozniak, Zach
Pozniak, Jerry
Hardcover
Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment
Hillhouse, Grady
Hardcover
The Complicated Roof - a cut and stack workbook: Companion Guide to "A Roof Cutters Secrets"
Holladay, Will
Paperback
Van Conversion Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Converting a Campervan
Low, Charlie
Comley, Dale
Hardcover
Factory Convent Schoolhouse Home: Soulful Transformations of Unusual Spaces
Gardener, Lynda
Hardcover
Your Space, Made Simple: Interior Design That's Approachable, Affordable, and Sustainable
Magidson, Ariel
Hardcover
Black & Decker the Book of Home How-To, Updated 3rd Edition: Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair and Improvement
Editors of Cool Springs Press
Paperback
The E-Myth HVAC Contractor: Why Most HVAC Companies Don't Work and What to Do About It
Goodrich, Ken
Gerber, Michael
Hardcover
Black and Decker the Complete Guide to Plumbing Updated 8th Edition: Completely Updated to Current Codes
Peterson, Chris
Editors of Cool Springs Press
Paperback
Storied Style: The Book about You, Your Story, and How to Design Your Home with It
Mitchell, Grace
Hardcover
Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness
Fetell Lee, Ingrid
Paperback
Building a Sustainable Kitchen: A Practical Guide to Prioritizing the Planet from the Heart of Your Home
Hansen, Naomi
Paperback
All New Kitchen Ideas That Work: Solutions for Planning, Remodeling, and Optimizing Your Kitchen's Style and Workflow
Paper, Heather J.
Paperback
Find It, Fix It, Flip It!: Make Millions in Real Estate--One House at a Time
Corbett, Michael
Paperback
Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Workbook
Turnquist, Carl H.
Bracciano, Alfred F.
Althouse, Andrew D.
Paperback
New Home, New Story: A Comprehensive Workbook To Help You Achieve The Most Successful, Least Stressful Moving Experience.
Planners, Milania
Paperback
Practical Color Combinations: A Resource Book with Over 2500 Sample Color Schemes
Kuno, Naomi
Paperback
Wirecutter: How to Clean Everything: Tested Advice for Taking Care of Your Home (and Stuff)
New York Times
Clisset, Christine Cyr
Hardcover
Home EC for Everyone: Practical Life Skills in 118 Projects: Cooking - Sewing - Laundry & Clothing - Domestic Arts - Life Skills
Bowers, Sharon
Bowers, David
Paperback
A House Needs to Breathe...Or Does It?: An Introduction to Building Science
Bailes, Allison A., III
Paperback
The Home Edit Workbook: Prompts, Activities, and Gold Stars to Help You Contain the Chaos
Shearer, Clea
Teplin, Joanna
Paperback
California Coastal: Seaside Living from Sea Ranch to San Diego
Ewald, Chase Reynolds
Hebert, Heather Sandy
Hardcover
Essential Knots: Secure Your Gear When Camping, Hiking, Fishing, and Playing Outdoors
Berger, Karen
Paperback
A Country Style: Living and Creating with Nature Through the Seasons
Thistlethwayte, Harriet
Hardcover
Homesteading: Is It The Lifestyle For You?: Is It The Lifestyle For You?: Everything You Need To Know Before You Buy Land
Nickling-Riddle, Aly
Paperback
The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner: What to Do & When to Do It in the Garden, Orchard, Barn, Pasture & Equipment Shed
Hansen, Ann Larkin
Paperback
Never Too Small: Vol. 2: Reinventing Small Space Living
Beath, Joel
Van Vuuren, Camilla Janse
Hardcover
Dr. Chase's Third, Last and Complete Receipt Book and Household Physician: Or, Practical Knowledge for the People
Chase, Alvin Wood
Paperback
The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals
Teplin, Joanna
Shearer, Clea
Paperback
The New Design Rules: How to Decorate and Renovate, from Start to Finish: An Interior Design Book
Cumberbatch Anderson, Jessica
Henderson, Emily
Hardcover
Barkitecture: Explore the World of Innovative and Sustainable Pet Architecture
Thomasson, Joshua
Hardcover
Code Check Complete 3rd Edition: An Illustrated Guide to the Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes
Hansen, Douglas
Hardcover
Code Check Electrical 9th Edition: An Illustrated Guide to Wiring a Safe House
Walker, Skip
Paperback
The No-Nonsense Home Organization Plan: 7 Weeks to Declutter in Any Space
Jones, Kim Davidson
Paperback
Shop Class for Everyone: Practical Life Skills in 83 Projects: Plumbing - Wood & Metalwork - Electrical - Mechanical - Domestic Repair
Bowers, David
Bowers, Sharon
Paperback
Small-Scale Homesteading: A Sustainable Guide to Gardening, Keeping Chickens, Maple Sugaring, Preserving the Harvest, and More
Thurow, Stephanie
Bruhn, Michelle
Paperback