Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Types of Systems Central Forced Air System Air Handling Unit Hot Water System Zoned Control System Radiant Heat Heat Pump HVAC Plans

Types of Systems
Central Forced-Air Systems Hot Water Systems Zone Control Systems Radiant Heat

Central Forced Air System

Most Common HVAC System Circulates air through or around heating and cooling devices. A fan forces air into ducts Supply ducts transport conditioned air into building through diffusers or supply registers Air is routed back to heating/cooling device through return ducts

Air Handling Unit (AHU)

Device used to condition and circulate air as part of an HVAC system Large metal box containing a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter, and sound attenuators Connects to ductwork that distributes the conditioned air through the building and returns it to the AHU

Courtesy Eric Fisher

Air Handling Unit (AHU)

May need to supply heating, cooling, or both A furnace generates heat Fuel oil or natural gas Electric heating elements Heat pump A refrigeration system absorbs heat Air conditioner Heat pump

Air Handling Unit (AHU)

Smaller air handlers may contain a fuel-burning heater or a refrigeration evaporator placed directly in the air stream Large commercial air handling units contain coils that circulate water Boiler provides hot water or steam Chiller provides chilled water

iStockphoto.com

iStockphoto.com

Air Handling Unit (AHU)

Typical AHU components: 1. Supply duct 2. Fan compartment 3. Flexible connection 4. Heating and/or cooling coil 5. Filter compartment 6. Return and fresh air duct

Wikimedia

Hot Water System

Water heated in boiler and circulated through pipes to radiators Requires plumbing rather than ductwork

iStockphoto.com

Zone Control System

One heater and one thermostat per room No ductwork Often used in hotel rooms

Radiant Heat
Supply heat directly to the floor, wall, or ceiling Hot water pipes or electric heating element runs through building component Dependent on radiant heat Heat transferred from hot surface to people and objects

Wikimedia

Heat Pump (HP)

A machine or device that moves heat from one location (the source) to another location (the mechanical work) Can produce heating or cooling by reversing the direction of heat flow Can be used in: Forced Air System Hot Water System Radiant Heat System

wikimedia

HVAC Plans

Image Courtesy Novus Architects

HVAC (Mechanical) Plans

Image Courtesy Novus Architects

HVAC Mechanical Plans

Image Courtesy Novus Architects

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Types of Systems Central Forced Air System Air Handling Unit Hot Water System Zoned Control System Radiant Heat Heat Pump HVAC Plans

Image Sources
en.wikimedia.org. Images retrieved Dec. 8, 2009. Novus Architecture (formerly SGM Architects), Mt. Pleasant, SC www.istockphoto.com. Images retrieved Dec. 8, 2009.

Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning