Todd Backus presents his approach to use CSA F280 guidelines to model cooling in a single living space in order to meet the requirements for maintaining a 26°C indoor air temperature in one living space which is outlined in section 9.33.3.1. of the BCBC. The CSA F280 standard was not designed to model a single room, therefore, some assumptions are required to generate an accurate model.

Todd discusses appropriate strategies and design considerations to meet code minimums and improve the thermal comfort of the occupants when determining which areas should be cooled. Todd also identifies how the internal loads of a building are calculated and why buildings with low summer design temperatures still generate a significant heat gain load.

Several challenges for proving that active cooling is not required are also highlighted and the information that would be required to make the argument that active cooling is not required to meet the intent of the code are also discussed.

Date Added: 2024-09-25