Heating-Cooling System Efficiency

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Conditioning the Air

Topics: Human comfort; Heat generation in buildings; Thermal zones; Types of HVAC systems; Guidelines for HVAC

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the various environmental factors affecting human comfort.
• Interpret the ASHRAE comfort chart.
• Differentiate between sensible and latent heat.
• Explain the operation of the components in a basic al-air HVAC system.
• Name the different kinds of single-path and multiple-path HVAC systems, tell how each operates, and list ways to conserve energy in each type.

Chapter 2: Managing Airflow in HVAC Systems

Topics: Air pressure within a duct; Airflow measuring devices; Building ventilation requirements; Heat recovery systems; Component maintenance

Learning Objectives:

• and contrast static pressure, velocity pressure, and total pressure.
• Define ventilation air and tell how to determine ventilation air requirements.
• Calculate the amount of energy needed to heat or cool outside air.
• Name four types of heat recovery systems and explain how each works.
• Explain where and why exhaust systems are used and how they may be installed.

Chapter 3: Conserving Energy in Heating Systems

Topics: Warm air furnaces; Boilers; Furnace and boiler maintenance; Stack gas analysis; Purchased steam, hot water; Metering steam

Learning Objectives:

• part of an energy conservation program.
• Detail the types of maintenance required on various types of furnaces.
• Tell how to locate and correct energy waste in steam and hot water distribution systems.
• Explain the importance of steam traps and describe their operation and maintenance.
• List ways energy may be saved in humidification systems.

Chapter 4: Conserving Energy in Cooling Systems

Topics: Mechanical compression and absorption systems; External and internal controls; Evaporator and condenser temperatures; Self-contained units; Heat pumps; Refrigerators/freezers

Learning Objectives:

• Compare and contrast the operation of a mechanical compression system and an absorption system.
• Define external and internal controls for refrigeration and give examples of each.
• Explain how evaporator and condenser temperatures influence energy consumption.
• Name several different methods for cooling condensers.
• Describe the basic operation of a heat pump and tell how it differs from other air conditioning systems.

Chapter 5: Reducing Losses in Distribution Systems

Topics: Fans; Air duct insulation; Hydronic system balancing; Piping system insulation; Maintaining pumps; Strainers; Control valves

Learning Objectives:

• Define the term fluid and discuss the importance of reducing a fluid's resistance to flow.
• List several ways to reduce flow resistance in air distribution systems.
• Discuss the purpose of insulating air ducting and tell how insulation is applied.
• Explain how flow resistance can be reduced in piping systems.
• Name several types of control valves, tell where each is used, and explain the importance of good valve maintenance.

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