Evaluating residential HVAC plans can be challenging without a clear understanding of the design principles behind them. This two-hour course provides code officials with a practical introduction to ACCA's residential system design process and demonstrates how to use the ACCA Plan Review Form to efficiently evaluate HVAC permit submissions.

Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the three core ACCA design standards, Manual J® (load calculations), Manual S® (equipment selection), and Manual D® (duct system design), and learn how these standards work together to create safe, efficient, and code-compliant HVAC systems.

Using real-world examples, attendees will learn how to identify common design issues, interpret key information included in residential HVAC plans, and apply the ACCA Plan Review Form as a consistent framework for reviewing system designs.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of ACCA Manuals J®, S®, and D® and how they work together in residential HVAC system design.
• Understand the basic principles of residential heating and cooling load calculations (Manual J®).
• Recognize how equipment is selected to match building loads using manufacturer performance data (Manual S®).
• Identify the fundamentals of residential duct system design, including friction rate, total effective length (TEL), and airflow considerations (Manual D®).
• Use the ACCA Plan Review Form to evaluate residential HVAC design documents.
• Recognize common plan review deficiencies and know what documentation should be requested before approving a permit.