Arch 136 Utilities II: Mechanical and Electrical System of Buildings

HVAC SYSTEMS - Heat can be measured and expressed in

• HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilating, and Air terms of units or degrees designated on a
Conditioning Systems. standard scale.
- Heating – the transfer of heat energy from
DEFINITION OF TERMS hotter to a cooler object.
1. Heat – a form of energy transformed by temperature
difference between two bodies: the transfer from 2. Heat Transmission
being too cooler and warmer body. a. Conduction – the transfer of heat from one
2. Ventilation – the process of supplying and place of higher temperature to a place of
removing air by natural method or mechanical lower temperature of the same body to
means to or from any other space. another which it is in contact with (high to low)
3. Air Conditioning (AC) – the simultaneous control b. Convection – the transfer of heat by motion
of air, temperature, humidity, motion, purity, and of the particles of the heated substance (low
distribution of air within an interior or confined space to high).
such as a room or building. c. Radiation – the process of transmitting rays
4. Enthalpy – the quantity of heat in British thermal of heat through air.
unit per minute in a fluid or gas.
5. British Thermal Unit (BTU) – the measure of heat 3. Measurements of Heat
content of fuels or energy sources. a. Fahrenheit – temperature scale proposed by
6. Humidity – the water vapor in a confined space or the European physicist Daniel Gabriel
environment. Fahrenheit using the °F.
7. Relative Humidity – the ratio of weight of water - Freezing Point – 32°F
vapor actually in humid air to the maximum possible - Boiling Point – 202 °F
weight of the water vapor that air could contain at
the same temperature. b. Centigrade – formerly cold as Celsius,
8. Humidistat/Hydrostat – a regulatory device temperature scale named after Swedish
actuated by changes in humidity. astronomer Andres Celsius using symbol °C
9. Humidity Ratio – the weight of water vapor in a - Freezing Point – 0°C
mixture per pound of dry air. - Boiling Point – 100°C
10. Condenser – a heat exchange in a refrigeration
system; consists of a vessel or arrangement of pipes Units for Measuring Heat
or tubing in which refrigerant vapor is liquified by the
removal of heat. • The Joule is the SI system unit for measuring
11. Compressor – a machine for drawing refrigerant heat (1 J = 1 N-m = 1 kg-m2/s2)
from the evaporator at relatively low pressure, • The calorie is the heat required to raise the
compresses it and then discharge it in the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C (1 Cal
condenser. = 4.18 J).
12. Evaporator – a part of refrigeration system in which • 1 BTU is the heat required to raise
refrigerant is vaporized; thereby taking up external temperature of 1 pound of water by 1°F.
heat and producing cooling.
13. Refrigerant – a substance which produces c. Thermal Equilibrium – the state wherein two
refrigerating effect by absorbing heat while systems are equal in temperature level; thus
expanding or evaporating. resulting in the absence of flow.
14. Freon – a synthetic chemical refrigerant.

PRINCIPLES OF HEAT
1. Heat Energy
- Also referred to as Thermal Energy.
- Heat refers to average kinetic energy of the
particles in a sample matter.
Arch 136 Utilities II: Mechanical and Electrical System of Buildings

GOALS OF HVAC SYSTEMS

1. Controls Temperature 1. Variable Air Volume (VAV)
2. Fresh Air Circulation 2. Low Pressure Design
3. Air Filtration 3. Digital Control Systems
4. Efficiency/Economy 4. Reclaimed Heat Recovery
5. Unobtrusive/Quiet 5. High Efficiency Fan Motors
6. Temperature Control
7. Air Filtration
FUNCTIONS OF HVAC 8. Unobtrusive/Quiet
The main function of HVAC is to provide acceptable indoor 9. Economical
quality on a room and can be achieved mainly thru six
points:
PARTS OF AN HVAC SYSTEM
1. Fresh Air Supply 1. Thermostat
2. Air Circulation 2. Chiller/Air Conditioners
3. Temperature Control - Utilizes heat exchangers and circulated fluid
4. Humidity Control or gas to cool the air that passed through it.
5. Air Filtration 3. Air Handler
6. Air Distribution - Fan/blower that moves air through the
ductwork.
OPERATION PRINCIPLES OF AC SYSTEM 4. Air Filters
1. The evaporating fan and motor draws warm humid - HEPA Filters
air from the room as well as fresh air ventilation from 5. Ductwork
the outside. - Paths
2. The drawn room and fresh outside air passes thru 6. Dampers
the filter and the evaporating coil, with refrigerant (in - Control the amount of airflow through a duct.
liquid state) inside. 7. Terminal Units
3. The drawn air comes in contact with the refrigerant - Automated damper; control the amount of air
as the latter absorbs the heat from air and expands delivered to a room or region.
or evaporates into gas. 8. Actuators
4. The cool air is now blown inside the room, while the - Controls the terminal units
gaseous refrigerant goes into the compressor 9. Heating Coils
pump. The compressor in turn pumps the gaseous - Efficiently provide heat.
refrigerant into the condensing coil to be cooled by 10. Lining/Attenuators
outside air as drawn by the condensing fan and - Dampen discharge noise.
motor. 11. GRD’s (Grilles, Registers, Diffusers)
5. The cycle repeats itself over and over. Once cooled, - Where air enters from the ductwork.
the now liquid again refrigerant passes into the
evaporating coil to further absorb heat from the
interior room air for continual cooling.

12. Return Inlets

- Where air circulates and returns to the air
handling unit.