Space & Occupancy
Design Conditions
DOAS Sizing Results
Total OA CFM
CFM
Design Occupants
people
Cooling Coil — Total
tons
Cooling Coil — Sensible
tons
Heating Coil
MBH
ERV Pre-Cooling Saved
tons
System Summary
ParameterWithout ERVWith ERVUnit
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About This Calculator

This DOAS sizing calculator estimates a dedicated outdoor air system from occupancy and design conditions. Enter building area, space type, diversity, ventilation rates, summer and winter outdoor conditions, supply temperatures, and energy recovery effectiveness; the tool returns total outdoor air CFM, design occupants, total and sensible cooling coil capacity, heating coil MBH, and the cooling tons an ERV saves.

A DOAS conditions ventilation air separately from space sensible cooling, which improves humidity control and pairs well with fan coils, VRF, chilled beams, or radiant systems. The summary table contrasts the system with and without energy recovery so the value of an ERV is clear.

Formula & Method
QuantityEquation
Outdoor air (62.1)Vbz = Rp · Pz + Ra · Az
Total coil loadBTU/hr = 4.5 × CFM × Δh (BTU/lb)
Sensible coil loadBTU/hr = 1.08 × CFM × ΔT (°F)
ERV-conditioned airT‑leaving = T‑OA − ε · (T‑OA − T‑exhaust)

Outdoor air follows ASHRAE 62.1-2019 (Vbz = Rp·Pz + Ra·Az). Total coil capacity uses the enthalpy form, where 4.5 = 60 min/hr × 0.075 lb/ft³ standard density; sensible capacity uses the 1.08 factor. Moist-air enthalpy is h = 0.240·T + W·(1061 + 0.444·T). Energy recovery applies the device effectiveness ε to the outdoor-to-exhaust difference in temperature and humidity before the coil, reducing both cooling and heating loads.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DOAS and when is it used?
A dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) conditions only the ventilation air, delivering it neutral or cool while a separate system handles the space sensible load. Decoupling ventilation from sensible cooling improves humidity control and lets the main system be smaller. DOAS is common with fan coils, VRF, chilled beams, and radiant systems, especially where latent control matters.
How is the total outdoor air CFM determined?
The tool uses the ASHRAE 62.1 breathing-zone form Vbz = Rp times people plus Ra times area. It estimates occupants from area divided by density times a diversity factor, multiplies by the per-person rate, adds the per-area rate times floor area, and reports the total outdoor air CFM. The fan is then sized about 5 percent above that to cover filter and coil static.
How is the DOAS cooling coil load calculated?
Total coil load is an enthalpy calculation: 4.5 times outdoor air CFM times the enthalpy difference between entering outdoor air and the supply condition, where 4.5 equals 60 times the standard air density of 0.075. The sensible portion uses 1.08 times CFM times the dry-bulb difference. Because a DOAS conditions full outdoor air, the latent share is usually large, which is why enthalpy is used.
How much does energy recovery reduce the coil size?
An energy recovery ventilator pre-conditions incoming outdoor air using exhaust air, cutting both temperature and humidity extremes. At 65 to 80 percent effectiveness it can substantially shrink the cooling and heating coils. This tool compares coil capacity with and without recovery and reports the tons saved, which often justifies the ERV on first cost as well as energy.
Related Tools
Ventilation Calculator OA / RA % Calculator Mixed Air Temp ACH Calculator Enthalpy Calculator
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Results are design estimates for preliminary sizing. Verify final designs against applicable codes and standards — engineering judgment and a licensed professional engineer’s review are required.