Without these numbers, we’d be flying blind. We’d spend extra time going to callbacks and troubleshooting preventable comfort complaints.

How Load Calculations Saved a Project

On one job, for example, a homeowner wanted a large system to cool his entire home. He would have had poor airflow and uneven temperatures if we had gone with his request. But, by doing a proper load calculation, we determined that his ductwork couldn’t support a single large system.

Instead, we recommended a combination of a central system with ductless splits for the upstairs bedrooms. The result? Perfect comfort and a happy customer.

Load calculations are performed by Basnett salesperson
After taking measurements, the Basnett
salespeople sit down and perform load
calculations in the customer’s home.

Another time, we took over a project where a previous contractor had installed a heat pump without doing a proper load calculation.

The homeowner was freezing in the winter because the system couldn’t maintain temperature on the coldest days. We redid the calculations, sized the right equipment, and solved the problem.

Load Calculations Are Non-Negotiable

With the push for electrification and energy efficiency, accurate load calculations are more important than ever. In Massachusetts, where we do a lot of work, electric heat pumps are becoming the standard.

That means we need to know exactly when a system’s capacity will drop and when backup heat will be required.

State requirements are also changing. More jurisdictions are demanding Manual J load calculations for permits. But here’s the catch: not all contractors are doing them correctly.

Many are simply filling in numbers to check a box. We take pride in doing them right because we know that’s what ensures long-term success for both us and our customers.

Final Thoughts: Stand Out by Doing It Right

We understand that load calculations take time. But they’re worth it. Here’s why:

  • They set us apart from competitors who take shortcuts
  • They give us confidence in our recommendations
  • And most importantly, load calculations ensure that our customers get the comfort and efficiency they’re paying for.

If you’re an HVAC contractor who wants to stand out in today’s market, there’s no better way than by embracing load calculations. Invest in the right tools, train your team, and educate your customers. It’s not just about selling systems — it’s about delivering actual performance. That’s what makes us high-performance contractors, and that’s why we do what we do.

Jake Basnett is a comfort advisor at Basnett Plumbing, Heating, AC & Electrical in Littleton, MA. He’s been with the company for six years and a comfort advisor for nearly four years. He started out doing installation work, sealing ductwork, and performing ductwork modifications, eventually working his way into sales. He can be reached at ncilink.com/ContactMe.

Anthony Kent was exposed to the plumbing industry in 2004 with his father in a one-truck plumbing business. They did water heater and service repairs, plus boiler installations. Eventually, he got into new construction, remodeling, and service retrofit work. He saw an ad for a comfort advisor at Basnett, and the rest is history. Contact him at ncilink.com/ContactMe.

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