Manual S Equipment Selection in Broomfield, CO
A Manual J tells us what your home needs. Manual S makes sure the furnace, air conditioner or heat pump we choose actually delivers it at Broomfield's altitude and on the hottest and coldest days of the year.
- Heating and cooling capacity at design conditions
- Altitude effects on furnaces and coils
- Heat pump output in cold weather
- Sensible and latent cooling balance
- Airflow the ductwork can support
Choosing equipment by real capacity, not the label
Every furnace, AC and heat pump has a nominal size, but its real capacity depends on conditions. Manual S, the ACCA standard for equipment selection, uses the manufacturer's expanded performance data to see what a unit actually delivers at your home's design temperatures and airflow.
That capacity is compared with your Manual J load. The goal is equipment that covers the load without being oversized, which is the key to even temperatures, quiet operation and efficiency.
What makes equipment selection different here
Altitude
Thinner air reduces coil and furnace performance, so equipment may need to be derated to deliver the load.
Cold-climate heat pumps
Heating capacity falls as the temperature drops. We check output at our winter design temperature and plan backup heat.
Dry summers
Our dry air means cooling is mostly sensible load, which affects which equipment and settings fit best.
Right-sized, then built to perform
We confirm every installation with a Manual J and select equipment against it. Then we make sure the ductwork can deliver the airflow that equipment needs, because the best-matched unit still underperforms on restricted ducts.
- Furnaces, AC and heat pumps matched to the load
- Variable-speed and two-stage options when they fit
- Authorized Bryant dealer
- Ductwork checked against Manual D
- Performance verified after install
More on HVAC design
Manual S questions
What is Manual S?
Manual S is the ACCA standard for selecting heating and cooling equipment. It uses the manufacturer's performance data at your local design conditions to choose equipment whose real capacity matches your home's Manual J load.
Why can't you just use the size on the label?
The label is a rating at standard test conditions. Real capacity changes with outdoor temperature, indoor conditions, airflow and altitude. Manual S checks the capacity the equipment will actually deliver in your home.
How does altitude affect equipment in Colorado?
Thinner air at altitude reduces how much heat moves through coils and how much gas furnaces can safely burn, so equipment may need to be derated. Manual S accounts for this so the system isn't undersized on paper.
Does Manual S matter for heat pumps?
Very much. A heat pump's heating capacity drops as it gets colder outside. Manual S checks how much heat it delivers at our winter design temperature and plans any backup heat needed.
Get equipment matched to your home
Request an evaluation for a new furnace, AC or heat pump.