Lesson 1Equipment selection trade-offs: energy, first cost, maintenance, controls, lifecycle considerations and simple payback reasoningThis lesson analyses trade-offs in equipment selection, covering initial costs, energy consumption, maintenance needs, control complexity, and reliability. It introduces lifecycle costing, simple payback analysis, and ways to present upgrades to clients effectively.
First cost versus operating costMaintenance access and service lifeControls complexity and integrationReliability and downtime riskLifecycle cost and NPV basicsSimple payback and sensitivity checksLesson 2Heating capacity sizing: winter design conditions, space heating loads, and sizing of supplemental heat (electric, gas, or heat pump)This lesson addresses winter design conditions, calculating space heating loads from envelope and internal sources. It explains when and how to size supplemental heating options like electric, gas, or heat pump systems for safe, effective performance.
Winter outdoor design conditionsSpace heating load componentsEnvelope and infiltration heat lossesSizing electric resistance heatersSizing gas and hydronic heatersHeat pump balance point and backupLesson 3Workshop and process heat handling: local exhaust, dedicated ventilation, makeup air, and heat source mitigationThis lesson tackles HVAC for workshops and heat-generating areas, including local exhaust, capture at source, and dedicated ventilation. It covers makeup air sizing, pressure management, and methods to reduce radiant and convective heat impacts.
Identifying process heat sourcesLocal exhaust and source captureDedicated outdoor air for workshopsMakeup air sizing and placementSpace pressure control and balanceHeat source shielding and insulationLesson 4Special space treatment: server room cooling strategies (dedicated CRAC/precision units, N+1 redundancy, airflow containment)This lesson focuses on cooling server rooms and IT areas, covering dedicated CRAC units, precision cooling, N+1 redundancy, airflow containment, aisle configurations, and monitoring for temperature and humidity to ensure reliable operation.
Server room load characterizationCRAC and precision unit optionsHot aisle and cold aisle layoutsContainment and airflow managementRedundancy levels and N+1 designMonitoring, alarms, and setpointsLesson 5Selection criteria for warm-humid climates: dehumidification capability, part-load efficiency, refrigerant considerationsThis lesson discusses how warm-humid conditions influence HVAC choices, emphasising dehumidification performance, part-load efficiency, and latent-sensible balance. It also reviews refrigerant selection, environmental impacts, and compliance with codes.
Latent loads in warm-humid climatesDehumidification strategies and coilsPart-load efficiency and turndownDedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS)Refrigerant type and GWP concernsCorrosion and moisture durability issuesLesson 6Overview of common systems suitable for mid-size office: RTUs, packaged VAV, VRF/heat pump, chilled water with AHUsThis lesson overviews HVAC systems for mid-sized offices, including rooftop units, packaged VAV, VRF heat pumps, and chilled water AHU setups. It compares configurations, applications, and control methods for optimal selection.
Packaged rooftop unit configurationsPackaged VAV with terminal boxesVRF and VRV heat pump architecturesChilled water plants with AHUsControl strategies for office comfortLesson 7Refrigeration basics for small pantries: refrigerated display or reach-in requirements, sensible/latent considerations, and condensate/ventingThis lesson introduces refrigeration for small pantries and break areas, covering reach-in units, display cases, load types, condensate handling, ventilation effects, and integration with the primary HVAC system for cohesive design.
Reach-in and display case typesRefrigeration load contributorsSensible versus latent case loadsCondensate drainage and trappingHeat rejection to pantry or outdoorsCoordination with space HVAC loadsLesson 8Airflow sizing basics: cfm per ton, ventilation cfm calculations per ASHRAE 62.1, supply/return sizing and estimated static pressureThis lesson covers fundamental airflow sizing, using CFM per ton guidelines, ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation rates, and supply-return duct sizing. It includes estimating static pressure for fan selection and duct system planning.
CFM per ton and coil performanceVentilation rates per ASHRAE 62.1People and area outdoor air methodsSupply and return duct sizingEstimating external static pressureBalancing and airflow verificationLesson 9Duct system considerations: supply zoning, CFM distribution, terminal units (VAV boxes vs constant volume) and fan selection guidanceThis lesson explores duct planning for office HVAC, including zoning, airflow allocation, and terminal units like VAV versus constant volume. It provides guidance on fan selection, efficiency, and managing noise in designs.
Defining thermal and control zonesCFM distribution by room loadsVAV boxes versus CAV terminalsDuct layout and pressure dropsFan curves, efficiency, and speedNoise and vibration control basicsLesson 10Sizing main cooling equipment: converting peak loads to tonnage, sensible heat ratio (SHR), and selecting capacity with safety marginsThis lesson explains converting peak cooling loads to tonnage, using sensible heat ratio for coil selection, and choosing capacities with margins. It addresses staging, part-load operation, and preventing oversizing issues.
From peak load to required tonnageSensible heat ratio and coil selectionChoosing design indoor conditionsCapacity safety factors and limitsStaging and part-load performanceAvoiding oversizing and short cycling
