A building's HVAC system has a total cooling capacity of 180,000 BTU/hr. According to Title 24, what is the maximum allowable fan power for this system?
Correct Answer
A) 1.2 watts per CFM
Title 24 limits fan power to improve energy efficiency. For systems of this size, the maximum allowable fan power is typically 1.2 watts per CFM.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Title 24 Part 6 (California Energy Code) sets the maximum allowable fan power at 1.2 watts per CFM for HVAC systems of this size class. This limit applies to the supply fan and is designed to ensure energy-efficient air distribution without excessive motor power consumption.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 2.0 watts per CFM
2.0 watts per CFM exceeds the Title 24 maximum by a significant margin. A system drawing 2.0 W/CFM would fail the energy compliance check and would not receive a building permit in California.
Option C: 0.8 watts per CFM
0.8 watts per CFM is below the code limit, so it would be permissible—but the question asks for the maximum allowable value, not a conservative target. This answer confuses a compliant value with the code ceiling.
Option D: 1.5 watts per CFM
1.5 watts per CFM surpasses the 1.2 W/CFM ceiling set by Title 24 for this system size. Selecting this option indicates confusion with older or federal standards that used higher thresholds.
Memory Technique
Remember '1.2 is the key' — Title 24 fan power tops out at 1.2 W/CFM. You can associate the decimal '1.2' with a 12-inch ruler: one foot is the standard, nothing more allowed.
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