IL

Manual J Requirements in Illinois

Is Manual J required in Illinois?

YESIllinois has adopted 2021 IECC which requires HVAC loads be calculated per ACCA Manual J for new construction and major renovations.

Energy Code
2021 IECC
Climate Zones
4A, 5A
Major Cities
Chicago, Aurora, Naperville
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Illinois Energy Code & Manual J

Current Adopted Code

Illinois has adopted 2021 IECC as the statewide energy code for residential construction.

HVAC sizing per ACCA Manual J
Duct design per ACCA Manual D
Equipment selection per ACCA Manual S

What Illinois Building Departments Require

  • Manual J load calculation report
  • Equipment sizing documentation
  • Professional-quality PDF format
  • Climate zone and design temp data

Illinois Climate Zones & Design Temperatures

IECC Climate Zone
4A

Primary zone covering Chicago and surrounding areas

IECC Climate Zone
5A

Additional zone in Illinois

Manual J Requirements by Illinois City

Chicago
Zone 4A
Aurora
Zone 4A
Naperville
Zone 4A
Joliet
Zone 4A
Rockford
Zone 4A

How to Get a Manual J Calculation in Illinois

RECOMMENDED

AutoHVAC (FREE First Report)

  • Upload your Illinois blueprint
  • AI extracts all building data
  • Get permit-ready report in 60 seconds
  • No credit card required
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Local Illinois Contractors

  • Turnaround: 3-7 days
  • $Typical cost: $150-400
  • On-site visit possible
  • Local expertise

DIY Software

  • Time: 30+ minutes per calc
  • $Cost: $5-200+/month
  • CoolCalc, Wrightsoft, etc.
  • Requires manual data entry

Illinois Manual J FAQ

How much does a Manual J calculation cost in Illinois?

Local Illinois contractors typically charge $150-400 for Manual J calculations. AutoHVAC offers your first Manual J calculation completely FREE with permit-ready results in 60 seconds — no credit card required.

Is a Manual J calculation required in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois follows 2021 IECC which requires heating and cooling loads be calculated per ACCA Manual J for permits on new construction and major HVAC work.

Where can I get a Manual J calculation in Illinois?

You can get a free Manual J calculation for Illinois instantly at AutoHVAC — upload your blueprint and receive a permit-ready report in 60 seconds. Alternatively, local Illinois HVAC contractors charge $150-400 with 3-7 day turnaround, or you can use DIY software like Wrightsoft or CoolCalc ($5-200+/month).

What climate zone is Illinois in for Manual J?

Illinois includes IECC climate zones 4A, 5A. Zone 4A is most common, covering cities like Chicago, Aurora, Naperville. Climate zone data determines design temperatures and insulation requirements used in Manual J calculations.

Get Your Free Illinois Manual J Calculation

Join thousands of Illinois contractors who use AutoHVAC for instant, permit-ready load calculations.

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