Manual J calculator · GA
Manual J load calculation for Georgia.
Run an ACCA Manual J 8th Edition residential load calculation with climate context pre-loaded for Georgia — ASHRAE design temperatures for 4 top metros, Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code (based on IECC 2015 with state amendments), and SCILB / Conditioned Air licensing context already accounted for in the assumption defaults.
Pre-loaded scenario
Atlanta, GA (Fulton County) · ASHRAE zone 3A · winter 99% DB 22°F · summer 0.4% DB 93°F · MCWB 74°F.
ASHRAE 169-2021 · ACCA MJ8 §6
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01 · ASHRAE design conditions
Top 4 metros in Georgia — design temperatures used in Manual J.
These are the ASHRAE 99% heating and 0.4% cooling design temperatures — the values Manual J uses for the design day, not the absolute extremes. Equipment sized to these conditions undersizes for ~35 hours per year in summer (acceptable per ACCA convention) and ~22 hours per year in winter.
| Metro | County | Zone | Winter 99% DB | Summer 0.4% DB | MCWB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Fulton County | 3A | 22°F | 93°F | 74°F |
| Augusta | Richmond County | 3A | 23°F | 96°F | 76°F |
| Savannah | Chatham County | 2A | 28°F | 95°F | 78°F |
| Columbus | Muscogee County | 3A | 24°F | 96°F | 76°F |
Source: ASHRAE 169-2021 (republished in EERE Building America Guide 7.3, public domain). DB = dry-bulb. MCWB = mean coincident wet-bulb at the 0.4% cooling design hour.
02 · Energy code
Georgia energy code: Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code (based on IECC 2015 with state amendments)
Adopted 2020. Manual J load-calc documentation requirements flow from the state energy code; verify your specific AHJ’s submittal rules before relying on the baseline.
- Georgia adopted IECC 2015 in 2020 as the state minimum, with amendments via the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) reducing some envelope requirements relative to the unmodified IECC 2015.
- Local jurisdictions may adopt newer editions; the state amendments are baseline floors, not ceilings.
Source: Georgia DCA — State Codes · verified 2024-08-20
03 · Georgia HVAC labor data
BLS wages and employment for HVAC mechanics in Georgia.
These are state-level wages for occupation code 49-9021 — Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — from the most recent BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics release.
- Median hourly wage
- $24.60
- Mean annual wage
- $53,780
- Employment estimate
- 10,870
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023, SOC 49-9021 (state-level) · released 2024-04-03. Loaded labor rates billed to customers typically run 2.5–3.5× the technician wage after overhead.
04 · License & permit
HVAC licensing in Georgia: SCILB / Conditioned Air.
State-level HVAC contractor licensing is administered by the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board — Division of Conditioned Air Contractors. Licenses renew every 2 years, with 4 hours of continuing education per cycle.
License types
- Conditioned Air Contractor — Class I (unrestricted)
- Conditioned Air Contractor — Class II (≤175,000 BTU/hr heating, ≤15 tons cooling)
Permits
Georgia jurisdictions require a mechanical permit for HVAC installations and most change-outs. The state Conditioned Air Division licenses the contractor; the local AHJ issues the permit and conducts inspections.
Replacement permit: typically required.
Atlanta and most metro counties operate online permit portals; rural counties may require in-person filing. Conditioned Air license number is required on the permit application.
05 · FAQ
Common Manual J questions for Georgia contractors.
+Why is Atlanta a mixed-humid climate?
Atlanta sits in zone 3A — warm-humid mixed. Summer design DB is 93°F with a 74°F wet-bulb (significant latent load), but winter design DB drops to 22°F (real heating load). Manual J in zone 3A must balance cooling and heating equally; sensible-only sizing under-equips dehumidification, and heating-only sizing leaves the home uncomfortable in shoulder seasons.
+Does Georgia require Manual J for a residential permit?
Under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code, residential HVAC equipment must be sized per Manual J or equivalent. Most metro Atlanta AHJs accept documented Manual J output (including BuildSolver's audit trail) without requiring a specific software stamp. Confirm with the county before submittal.
+What's the difference between Class I and Class II Conditioned Air?
Class I has no capacity limit and covers all residential and commercial HVAC. Class II is limited to ≤175,000 BTU/hr heating and ≤15 tons cooling — typically restricting it to residential and small commercial. Both require examination and CE.
+How does Savannah differ from Atlanta for Manual J?
Savannah is coastal zone 2A — warmer winters (28°F vs 22°F) and slightly higher summer wet-bulb (78°F vs 74°F). Manual J for Savannah will show higher latent share and lower heating load than Atlanta for the same building. Equipment sizing typically shifts toward heat-pump-only systems in Savannah, while Atlanta often justifies a gas furnace + AC pair.
+What's the average HVAC technician wage in Georgia?
BLS OEWS May 2023 reports $24.60/hr median for Georgia HVAC mechanics and installers — about $53,780 annual mean — close to the national median.
+Can BuildSolver size for a Georgia retrofit without blueprints?
Yes. BuildSolver's whole interface is built for the no-blueprint retrofit case — describe the building (square footage, construction type, window count, insulation level) and the tool runs the Manual J on those inputs. AutoHVAC requires blueprint PDFs; BuildSolver doesn't.
Try a Georgia load calculation now.
The chat will ask follow-up questions like an experienced engineer — square footage, construction type, window count, insulation level — and run the Manual J on your inputs with Georgia’s ASHRAE design temperatures applied automatically. About 90 seconds end to end.
Start Georgia calculationRelated · same climate zone
Other states with similar ASHRAE climate zones.
Manual J assumptions for infiltration, latent share, and design temperatures behave similarly across states that share an ASHRAE zone. The pages below carry the same procedural defaults with their own local design temps and licensing context.
Data last reviewed 2026-05-19 · underlying sources as of 2024-04-03