INTRODUCTION TO HVAC SYSTEM DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS

Presented initially on Feb. 11-12, 2004 and annually thereafter in Lear Auditorium at Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan Prepared by Prof Janice K. Means, PE, LEED AP 1

So what is behind those walls, above our heads and below our feet that has so much to do with making us comfortable in buildings?
2

and what do architects need to know about these heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems?
3

Buildings consume 50% of the worlds energy.

--quote from Keynote Address given by Susan S. Szenasy
(Editor In Chief of Metropolis) at the ACSA/AIA Teachers Seminar at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI in June, 2003
*Note that some experts cite lower percentages for the portion of energy used by buildings in the United States.

According to the DOE , buildings in the U.S. use varying percentages of their total energy use to provide comfort heating and cooling for occupants.
56% in private homes 38% in multi-family residences 52% in schools (K-12) 37% in universities 41% in government buildings 34% in offices 40% in retail structures 28% in health care structures 22% in hotels motels
5

There are about 5 million commercial buildings in the United States.

--www.sustainableenergy.org

Office Building Energy Use

Office Equipment 16% Hot Water 9% Ventilation Space 5% Cooling 9% Space Heating 25% Misc. 7% Lighting 29%

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/index.cfm?flash=yes
7

What is the architects role in creating a comfortable environment for occupants while effecting responsible energy use? Isnt up to the mechanical engineer?
8

Even a superior HVAC system cannot compensate for a poorly designed building one where not enough mechanical space has been provided or which is an energy hog.
9

So now lets talk about what you need to know about HVAC equipment and its design.

10

Major System Components in HVAC Systems

Energy Conversion Equipment Distribution Equipment Control Equipment

11

Major System Components in HVAC Systems

Energy Conversion Equipment: converts fuel to heat (or cool) Examples: chilled water condensers, chillers, boilers, furnaces, domestic hot water heaters, etc.

12

Major System Components in HVAC Systems

Distribution Equipment: transports fluid holding heat (or cool) to/away from conditioned space ducts & plenums with fans or pipes with pumps
Examples:

13

Major System Components in HVAC Systems

Control Equipment
Sensors to measure temperature, humidity, purity levels, etc. Senders to relay measured/sensed information to/from controller device Software w/ hardwareto monitor and change conditions
Examples: thermostats & humidity

sensors; wires & pneumatic hoses; controllers, BAS, EMS, etc.

14

Major HVAC Systems

1. 2. 3. 4.
5.

All Air Air & Water All Water Unitary Radiant Panels

H/C Equipment Centrally Located w/ Air-Handling Central or By Floor

H/C Equipment Adjacent to Zone

15

Major HVAC Systems

All Air
Cooling is always done from a central air stream Heating is done from the central air stream, & sometimes at a zone (reheat) Hot water loops from boilers to heating coils in air stream &, sometimes at zone Cold water loops from chillers or condensers to cool coils in the air stream Air is provided at Constant Volume (variable temperature) or Variable Air Volume (constant temperature)
16

Major HVAC Systems

All Air
Major types of ALL AIR systems (many variations)

Single Zone Terminal Reheat* Single Duct VAV Dual Duct Multi-zone *Shown combined with a Single Duct VAV
in following diagrams.
17

Major HVAC Systems All Air Systems Every ALL AIR system has these components, however, those in red may be arranged differently. Pre-heat coil Cooling coil Fan

O.A. outside
air through louvers

One or more ducts provide

S.A.
R.A.

(supply air) to conditioned space

E.A.
(exhaust air) or relief air to outdoors

R.A. (return air)

from conditioned space

Filter(s)

Re-heat coil
18

Air Handling Unit

Major HVAC Systems All Air Systems CV (typically)

Pre-heat coil
RA

Cooling coil Boiler O.A. Fan

SA

Chiller E.A. R.A. Filter Re-heat coil

Single Zone System

19

Major HVAC Systems All Air Systems

VAV

Pre-heat coil Boiler Cooling coil Fan

O.A.

SA
o o o o o

RA

RA
T

SA

o o o o o

E.A.

Chiller R.A. VAV Boxes (optional fan for fanpowered VAV & optional Reheat coil for Terminal Reheat)
20

Filter

Re-heat coil

Single Duct Variable Air Volume with variations

Major HVAC Systems All Air Systems

CV shown (or VAV)

Pre-heat coil Boiler

Heating coils
T

O.A.

Mixing box

Fan

E.A.

Chiller

Cooling coils Filter Dual Duct Air System

21

Major HVAC Systems All Air Systems

CV shown (or VAV)

Pre-heat coil Boiler O.A.
Chiller

Mixing controls Heating coils Fan

T T
T

E.A.

Filter
Multi-Zone System

Cooling coils
22

Major HVAC Systems

ALL WATER systems will be discussed prior to AIR & WATER systems.

23

Major HVAC Systems

All Water
Major types of ALL WATER systems

Two Pipe Four Pipe

24

Major HVAC Systems

All Water Able to only heat and cool Cannot provide humidification Air quality provided by windows, separate system, or through unit ventilators Water is delivered from central equipment, e.g., boiler or chiller
25

Major HVAC Systems

Fan Coil Unit Shown (can be convector or unit ventilator)

All Water

Refrigeration Machine

Boiler

pumps

2-Pipe System

Valves* switch seasonally between boiler and refrigeration machine for ONLY COOLING or ONLY HEATING at one time
* Actual connections not shown.
26

Major HVAC Systems

Fan Coil Unit

All Water

4-way valve

Refrigeration Machine

Boiler

pump

COOLING HEATING

4-Pipe System
27

Major HVAC Systems

Air & Water Major types of Air & Water systems

Induction Fan Coil with Supplementary Air Radiant Panels with Supplementary Air

28

Major HVAC Systems

Air & Water

Most heating and cooling is provided by the water (hydronic) system The air portion of the combined system need not be as large as for an all air system because it is just supplying ventilation air (and sometime humidification)
29

Major HVAC Systems Air & Water

Pre-heat coil Boiler

Terminal Room Unit

T

100% O.A. Filter

Cooling coil Chiller

Fan

Re-heat coil

Room air is induced into terminal unit

Induction System
30

Major HVAC Systems Air & Water

Pre-heat coil

Terminal Room Unit

T

Boiler

100% O.A. Filter

Chiller

Fan

Cooling coil

Re-heat coil

Fan in Terminal Unit pulls air in from room and assists central fan
31

Fan Coil with Supplementary Air

Major HVAC Systems Air & Water

Pre-heat coil Boiler Wall or Ceiling Mounted Radiant Panel Fan

Chiller T

O.A.

Filter
Cooling coil

E.A.

Re-heat coil

Radiant Panel with Supplementary Air

32

Major HVAC Systems

Unitary Systems
Major types of Unitary systems

Packaged Units roof or ground mounted factory assembled

Split SystemsAir coil condenser outside & AHU in ceiling, e.g., residential airconditioning PTAC (Packaged Terminal Conditioning Units), e.g., window air-conditioner
(Only packaged units will be discussed in this 33 presentation.)

Major HVAC Systems Unitary Systems

Packaged Units

Packaged units contains:

fans, coils and filters (AHU-function) refrigerant compressor & condenser controls

Energy
conversion & distribution equipment are housed in the same package Ducts are run directly from the units to the area to be conditioned. Typically, separate units serve each zone. 34

Major HVAC Systems

Radiant Panels Major types of Unitary systems Air-heated or air-cooled panels supplied by air heated/cooled indirectly by a boiler, chiller or refrigerant compressor. Hydronic (water-heated) panels containing embedded or mounted pipes or tubes which can be mounted.

Electric (resistance-heated wires) panels

35

Major HVAC Systems Radiant Panels

Often installed with central systems (as discussed in the Air & Water system section) Also available in packaged panels ready to mount or hang, and powered by natural gas or electricity Electric panels are sometimes used for spot heating in residential

(This presentation will not elaborate further on radiant panels.) 36

Systems Most Commonly Used in Commercial Structures

All

Air Air & Water Unitary Packaged Units

37

Systems Most Commonly Used in Commercial Structures

Comparisons of Central & Local Systems

Central Systems
require 1 or more

Packaged Systems
have equipment

equipment room(s) in basement, penthouse or roof & fan rooms in 1 or more areas
have extensive

distributed throughout building (or overhead on roof of low-rise structures)

require minimal

distribution systems
require complex

distribution systems
need only simplified

controls

controls
38

Systems Most Commonly Used in Commercial Structures

Comparisons of Advantages of Central & Local Systems

Central System Advantages Local System Advantages easier to control/maintain IAQ doesnt require major mechanical areas w/in building more flexibility in locating ventilation intake locations more energy efficient in responding to scheduling & waste heat energy can more diversity variations easily be recovered & used by another process system breakdowns do not take down entire building equipment easier to maintain w/o interrupting occupants simple operating controls
noise & waste heat easier to

control
39

Systems Most Commonly Used in Commercial Structures

Comparisons of Central & Local Systems

Central System Disadvantages Local System Disadvantages entire building affected noise is harder to control since equipment is located if major piece of closer, or within, occupied equipment goes down spaces requires space for more difficult to harvest waste large distribution heat systems maintenance is demanding & energy may be wasted may disrupt occupants if entire building or poorer IAQ since numerous major zone must be filters must be maintained conditioned for a small use in interior zones prevents area needed access to outdoor air easier to provide more difficult to control smoke smoke control if fire during fire
40

Summary
Hopefully, some of the mystery behind HVAC systems and implications for design to optimize HVAC effectiveness has been gleaned from this presentation. Sources for additional information and direction follow.
###

41

For More Information

Studio Companion, by Edward Allen, 1989,by John Wiley & Sons

www.ashrae.org: home for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, a standards-writing professional society for HVAC and Refrigeration. www.usgbc.org: home of the United States Green Building Council (LTU is a new member), group promoting sustainable architecture and developers of the sustainability standard, LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.
42

For More Information, contact

Prof. Janice K. Means, PE, LEED AP College of Architecture and Design Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan 48075 Office A-217 248.204.2852

###
43