Toolkit for air source heat pump sizing and selection

Natural Resources Canada has developed a package of materials related to air source heat pump (ASHP) sizing and selection, intended for use by mechanical system designers and renovation contractors. The materials were designed to assist these individuals with sizing and selecting ASHPs for Canadian climates, in both new and existing (retrofit) residential applications.

Components of the toolkit

  1. ASHP Sizing and Selection Guide (referred to as “the Guide”) and ASHP Key Specifications Summary Worksheet (included in the Guide as Appendix B)
  2. ASHP Sizing and Selection Tool: an electronic representation of the ASHP Sizing and Selection Guide. The tool interactively guides users in applying the step-by-step process described in the Guide, while providing additional charting and performance analysis features (version V2.4 is now available. Existing users are encouraged to upgrade to V2.4)
  3. Addendum of worked examples: provides case studies of the Guide being used to select either centrally ducted or ductless mini-split ASHPs for various installation scenarios

Download the toolkit

cover of ASHP Sizing and Selection Guide and Key Specifications Summary
ASHP Sizing and Selection Guide and Key Specifications Summary Worksheet (PDF, 4.5 MB)
 
 
cover of ASHP Sizing and Selection Tool 
 
ASHP Sizing and Selection Tool, version V2.4 (xls, 23 MB)
cover of Addendum of worked examples
Addendum of worked examples (PDF, 3.1 MB)

Excel settings instructions

After downloading the ASHP Sizing and Selection Tool, you may be required to enable certain settings. Please follow the steps below to ensure the tool is fully operational. Note that not all the steps may be required depending on your computer and current settings.

Step 1 – Trust the document – Do this before opening the tool

  1. In file explorer, right-click on the ASHP Sizing and Selection Tool and select Properties.
  2. Under the General tab at the bottom of the dialog box, see “Security: This file came from another computer and might be locked to help protect this computer”. Check the Unblock checkbox and select apply.
  3. Select OK.

Step 2 – Enable ActiveX – Do this before opening the tool

  1. Open Excel and go to File -> Options.
  2. Click Trust Center on the left menu, then click the Trust Center Settings... button.
  3. Click ActiveX Settings on the left menu.
  4. Select "Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions".
  5. Click OK, close Excel completely, and open the ASHP Sizing and Selection Tool.

Note: the following step is only necessary if there is a yellow banner above the formula bar upon opening the Excel Tool.

Step 3 – Enable Macros – Do this upon opening the tool

  1. Click Enable on the yellow banner above the formula bar to enable macros.

Learn how to use the toolkit

Watch this video to learn how to use the ASHP Sizing and Selection Toolkit. The video includes an introduction and overview of the Guide, as well as an overview of the tool and a walk-through using several example scenarios.

 
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