HVAC Load Calculations and Energy Code Compliance in West Virginia

West Virginia is revising its State Building Code in 2026, from the 2018 codes and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 toward the 2024 codes and 90.1-2019. Until the new rule takes effect the current one governs, and we confirm which applies on each project.

The same services in every state

Adicot provides the same engineering services in every state it is licensed in, for industrial, commercial and multi-family buildings of any size. What changes from state to state is the code the work is held to.

• Cooling Load/Heat Load Calculations: room-by-room loads worked with ASHRAE methods, with ventilation rates to the adopted code
• Energy Code Compliance: the building modeled and compliance demonstrated on performance where the code allows it, in the format the plan reviewer expects

Both are sealed by a professional engineer licensed in the state. Get a Quote to see the fee.

We work on industrial buildings, commercial buildings from offices and retail to restaurants and clinics, and multi-family buildings.

The codes in force in West Virginia

The State Fire Commission writes the State Building Code, and the counties and cities that adopt it enforce it. As of October 2026:

• Energy: ASHRAE 90.1-2013 for commercial buildings, in effect since August 1, 2022.
• Mechanical: the 2018 International Mechanical Code with West Virginia additions, in effect since August 1, 2022. The additions cover cooling towers, pool and spa heaters, furnace and heat pump testing, and refrigeration.
• Building: the 2018 International Building Code.
• Next edition: a revised rule adopting the 2024 International Codes and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 for commercial buildings is before the Legislature's rule-making review committee. No effective date has been set.

What is particular to West Virginia

Local enforcement. Cities and counties may adopt only the State Building Code, not codes of their own. Charleston enforces it and follows each edition the state adopts. Where a jurisdiction has not adopted it, we confirm what the permitting authority will review.

Climate. The northern and mountain counties, including Monongalia, Preston, Randolph and Pocahontas, are climate zone 5A, where heating often sizes the equipment. The rest of the state, including Kanawha, is zone 4A. Nine counties, including Raleigh, Fayette and Greenbrier, moved from 5A to 4A on the 2021 map; 90.1-2013 still places them in 5A.

Projects in West Virginia

• Load and ventilation calculations for a substation control building in Millwood, 2025
• A load calculation for a utility building in Grant County, 2026

Both are substation and utility control building work.