Process Heat Gain and Cooling Load Calculation in Laundry Plant HVAC Design

Published July 6, 2026 — Stalwart Engineering Technical Notes

A standard commercial building cooling-load calculation apportions heat gain across solar radiation, occupancy, lighting, and equipment, in roughly that order of significance for an office or retail space. A laundry plant inverts this almost completely, tunnel washers and CBW modules radiating heat from hot wash liquor, drying tumblers exhausting large volumes of heated air, ironer chests running at high surface temperature, and boiler and steam distribution losses throughout the plant, together dwarf the solar and occupancy load a standard formula would emphasise.

About the role

Stalwart Engineering specializes in providing technical notes and guidance for industrial laundry and garment processing facilities. Our expertise includes detailed HVAC design and process heat gain calculations tailored to the unique demands of these environments.

Responsibilities

• Developing precise process heat gain calculations from individual equipment sources, using manufacturer-specific data rather than generic industrial assumptions.
• Sizing HVAC systems to meet human comfort and safety standards, not equipment protection, ensuring workers are protected from excessive heat.
• Collaborating with process ventilation design to ensure efficient removal of process heat, reducing overall cooling loads.
• Adapting HVAC designs to different climate zones, accounting for both process heat gains and outdoor air conditions.
• Providing expert advice on steam vs electric heating options and conducting energy audits for industrial laundry plants.

Requirements

• Strong background in HVAC design and process heat gain calculations.
• Experience with industrial laundry and garment processing equipment.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE Handbook fundamentals and ability to adapt them to laundry-specific conditions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with process ventilation engineers and facility managers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in industrial laundry or garment processing.
• Proficiency in HVAC design software and tools.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Skills

• Advanced knowledge of ASHRAE Handbook fundamentals and their application to laundry-specific conditions.
• Experience with process heat gain calculations and equipment-specific load assessments.
• Collaborative problem-solving skills to integrate HVAC and process ventilation design.
• Ability to adapt HVAC designs to varying climate zones and operational requirements.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects in the industrial laundry sector.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Mission-driven work environment focused on improving workplace safety and efficiency.

Pay

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Exact details will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule

Flexible work schedule to accommodate project deadlines and client needs.