Proposed capacity
It identifies the nominal heating or cooling capacity category written in the proposal.
What “Ton” Means on an HVAC Quote
In HVAC, tonnage is a capacity label. It is not the physical weight of the equipment.
A quote may list a 2-ton, 2.5-ton, 3-ton, or other capacity. That tells you what size the contractor is proposing; it does not by itself prove that the size is appropriate for the home.
What Tonnage Tells You
A comparison field
You can see whether different contractors proposed the same or different capacity.
Not the whole system
Two quotes with matching tonnage may still differ in equipment pairing, staging, controls, ducts, electrical scope, and installation work.
What Tonnage Does Not Prove
- That a load calculation was completed.
- That the duct system can support the proposed airflow.
- That the indoor and outdoor equipment are a documented match.
- That the system will provide a particular comfort result.
- That a larger or smaller number is automatically better.
Questions to Ask When Quotes List Different Tonnage
- What information was used to choose this capacity?
- Is a written load calculation available?
- How were existing ducts and airflow considered?
- Are both the indoor and outdoor model numbers listed?
- Why does this proposal differ from the other contractor’s capacity?