Church HVAC Load Calculator
Cooling airflow for a church sanctuary by capacity.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Peak supply airflow
- 5,600 CFM
- Implied cooling tons
- 14
- Outdoor air at 5 CFM/person
- 2,000 CFM
Quick answer
Church sanctuaries are commonly sized around 12-16 CFM per seated occupant, factoring in the intermittent full-capacity use pattern.
CFM = capacity x CFM per person
How to use the Church HVAC Load Calculator
- 1Use the sanctuary's full seating capacity, not average attendance.
- 2Apply 12-16 CFM per person for peak-service sizing.
- 3Consider zoning so overflow or fellowship halls are cooled independently.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Seating capacity400
- CFM per person14 CFM
Results
- Peak supply airflow5,600 CFM
- Implied cooling tons14
- Outdoor air at 5 CFM/person2,000 CFM
Frequently asked questions
Should I size for average or peak attendance?
Peak — holidays and special events will otherwise leave the space uncomfortably warm.
Can this run part-time?
Yes, most sanctuaries only need full airflow during services and can idle at reduced rate otherwise.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.