Calculating A/C load for residential application.

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Mr. Spinosa

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Tacoma, Washington, USA
I was doing some research for a customer who is installing a hot tub and I just wanted to be sure we were not going to overload his existing electrical system. (I originally wanted to do a load calc which included a number for his existing AC unit.) I found this quote below from an old thread labeled "5 Ton AC Load":

""For "guestimating" I have typically used 1.5KVA/ton, and hasn't failed me yet.The only thing I will caution folks of is to watch your units, e.g. kW does not equal KVA when motors are involved.""

Can someone elaborate on how KW does not equal KVA when motors are involved?
 
Newer units have gained efficiency as well, so that 1.5 kVA/ton may work but may be overkill for some of the more efficient units.

Why wouldn't one go with the namplate ratings if you have an existing unit you are calculating for? Usually when someone throws in a figure like 1.5kVA/ton is because they may know the tons of cooling needed but do not have specific data for the unit to be installed.
 
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