Lesson 1Ventilation and IAQ: outdoor air requirements per person and per floor area, demand-controlled ventilation strategies, heat recovery optionsThis section addresses ventilation and indoor air quality, covering outdoor air rates per person and area, demand-controlled ventilation using CO₂ or occupancy, and heat recovery options to reduce energy while maintaining code compliance.
Outdoor air rates per person and per areaVentilation effectiveness and air distributionDemand-controlled ventilation using CO₂Occupancy-based ventilation controlHeat recovery wheels and plate exchangersBalancing IAQ, comfort, and energy useLesson 2Controls strategy: zoning, thermostats, BMS basics, scheduling, occupant overrides, setpoint control and setbackThis section covers zoning strategies, thermostat placement, and basic BMS functions. It explains scheduling, setback and setup, occupant overrides, and coordination of temperature, humidity, and ventilation control for comfort and energy savings.
Thermal zoning by orientation and useThermostat location and sensor selectionTime schedules, setback and setup controlOccupant overrides and access limitsBMS monitoring, alarms, and trendingCoordinating temperature and ventilationLesson 3Using load estimation standards and tables (ASHRAE, CIBSE, local codes) and converting published values to building-level estimatesThis section shows how to use ASHRAE, CIBSE, and local code tables for loads and ventilation. It explains reading tabulated values, applying safety factors, and converting per-area or per-person data into building-level estimates.
Key ASHRAE and CIBSE load referencesLocal code requirements for HVAC sizingInterpreting tabulated load and gain dataConverting W/m² to total kW for buildingsApplying safety and uncertainty factorsDocumenting assumptions for complianceLesson 4Simplified heating and cooling load estimation methods: using W/m², sensible/latent splits, peak factors, and diversity—typical values and published referencesThis section introduces quick heating and cooling load methods using W/m², sensible and latent splits, peak and coincidence factors, and diversity. It highlights typical office values, safety margins, and how to interpret published reference tables.
Rule-of-thumb W/m² cooling loads for officesRule-of-thumb W/m² heating loads for officesSensible versus latent load componentsPeak load factors and coincidence factorsDiversity factors for multi-zone buildingsUsing manufacturer and handbook tablesLesson 5Basic hydronic design concepts: chilled water and heating hot water Sizing, delta-T choices, pump selection principlesThis section introduces hydronic design for chilled and hot water systems, including load-based flow sizing, delta-T selection, primary and secondary pumping concepts, pump selection basics, and implications for pipe sizing and controls.
Chilled water and hot water loop conceptsSelecting design supply and return temperaturesDelta-T choices and impact on flow ratesPipe sizing from design flow and velocityPump head calculation and pump curvesVariable flow and differential pressure controlLesson 6Air distribution strategies: supply/return layouts, ceiling plenum vs ducted systems, displacement ventilation basicsThis section presents air distribution options, including ceiling supply and return layouts, ducted versus plenum systems, and basics of displacement ventilation. It addresses diffuser selection, air patterns, comfort, and coordination with ceilings.
Ceiling supply and return layout optionsDucted versus ceiling plenum distributionDiffuser types and throw pattern basicsDraft risk, stratification, and comfortDisplacement ventilation fundamentalsCoordination with lighting and ceilingsLesson 7Selection criteria: energy performance, indoor air quality, first cost vs lifecycle cost, maintenance and acoustic constraintsThis section explains how to compare HVAC options using energy performance, indoor air quality, first cost, lifecycle cost, maintainability, and acoustic impact. It introduces simple evaluation matrices and common trade-offs for office projects.
Energy efficiency metrics and benchmarksIndoor air quality and filtration needsFirst cost versus lifecycle cost analysisMaintainability and access for serviceAcoustic limits for offices and meeting roomsMulti-criteria decision and scoring toolsLesson 8Overview of HVAC system types for offices: VAV with central AHUs, VRF/VRV, fan coil units with CHW, all-air vs. all-water hybridsThis section reviews common HVAC system types for offices, including VAV with central AHUs, VRF or VRV, fan coil units with chilled water, and hybrid all-air or all-water systems, highlighting typical applications, pros, and limitations.
VAV with central AHUs: components and useVRF and VRV systems: layout and limitsFan coil units with chilled water systemsAll-air versus all-water system conceptsHybrid systems and decoupled ventilationMatching system type to office typologiesLesson 9Noise, vibration, and acoustic integration for HVAC componentsThis section explains noise and vibration issues from fans, pumps, and compressors. It covers sound power, transmission paths, basic acoustic criteria, and practical measures such as isolation, duct lining, silencers, and equipment location.
Sound power, pressure, and basic metricsNC and RC criteria for office spacesVibration isolation of fans and pumpsDuct lining, silencers, and plenum designEquipment location and room treatmentsCoordination with acoustic consultants
