IA

Manual J Requirements in Iowa

Is Manual J required in Iowa?

YESIowa has adopted 2018 IECC which requires HVAC loads be calculated per ACCA Manual J for new construction and major renovations.

Energy Code
2018 IECC
Climate Zones
5A, 6A
Major Cities
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport
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Iowa Energy Code & Manual J

Current Adopted Code

Iowa has adopted 2018 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 Iowa Building Departments Require

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

Iowa Climate Zones & Design Temperatures

IECC Climate Zone
5A

Primary zone covering Des Moines and surrounding areas

IECC Climate Zone
6A

Additional zone in Iowa

Manual J Requirements by Iowa City

Des Moines
Zone 5A
Cedar Rapids
Zone 5A
Davenport
Zone 5A
Sioux City
Zone 5A
Iowa City
Zone 5A

How to Get a Manual J Calculation in Iowa

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AutoHVAC (FREE First Report)

  • Upload your Iowa blueprint
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Local Iowa 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

Iowa Manual J FAQ

How much does a Manual J calculation cost in Iowa?

Local Iowa 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 Iowa?

Yes. Iowa follows 2018 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 Iowa?

You can get a free Manual J calculation for Iowa instantly at AutoHVAC — upload your blueprint and receive a permit-ready report in 60 seconds. Alternatively, local Iowa 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 Iowa in for Manual J?

Iowa includes IECC climate zones 5A, 6A. Zone 5A is most common, covering cities like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport. Climate zone data determines design temperatures and insulation requirements used in Manual J calculations.

Get Your Free Iowa Manual J Calculation

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

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