NC

Manual J Requirements in North Carolina

Is Manual J required in North Carolina?

YESNorth Carolina has adopted 2018 NC Energy Code which requires HVAC loads be calculated per ACCA Manual J for new construction and major renovations.

Energy Code
2018 NC Energy Code
Climate Zones
3A, 4A, 5A
Major Cities
Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro
Get Your Free North Carolina Manual J

North Carolina Energy Code & Manual J

Current Adopted Code

North Carolina has adopted 2018 NC Energy Code 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 North Carolina Building Departments Require

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

North Carolina Climate Zones & Design Temperatures

IECC Climate Zone
3A

Primary zone covering Charlotte and surrounding areas

IECC Climate Zone
4A

Additional zone in North Carolina

IECC Climate Zone
5A

Additional zone in North Carolina

Manual J Requirements by North Carolina City

Charlotte
Zone 3A
Raleigh
Zone 3A
Greensboro
Zone 3A
Durham
Zone 3A
Winston-Salem
Zone 3A

How to Get a Manual J Calculation in North Carolina

RECOMMENDED

AutoHVAC (FREE First Report)

  • Upload your North Carolina blueprint
  • AI extracts all building data
  • Get permit-ready report in 60 seconds
  • No credit card required
Get Free North Carolina Manual J →

Local North Carolina 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

North Carolina Manual J FAQ

How much does a Manual J calculation cost in North Carolina?

Local North Carolina 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 North Carolina?

Yes. North Carolina follows 2018 NC Energy Code 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 North Carolina?

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

North Carolina includes IECC climate zones 3A, 4A, 5A. Zone 3A is most common, covering cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro. Climate zone data determines design temperatures and insulation requirements used in Manual J calculations.

Get Your Free North Carolina Manual J Calculation

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

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