Introduction to HVAC Systems

A Trane Air Conditioning Clinic

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Introduction to HVAC Systems
period one
Dissecting HVAC Systems

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Comfort Requirements
 Temperature
 Humidity
 Air movement
 Fresh air
 Clean air
 Noise levels
 Lighting
 Furniture and work surfaces

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

The Five System Loops

Airside Heat rejection

Chilled water Controls

Refrigeration

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Airside Loop

supply air
return air

sensible
heat
moisture conditioned
(latent heat) space

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

 Cooling Load Components
roof

lights partition
people wall
glass infiltration equipment
solar
glass
conduction
exterior
wall
floor
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
 Supply Fan and Filter (airside)
80°F (75%) OA 95°F (25%)
EA (25°C) (35°C)

80°F (25%) MA SA Supply air

(25°C) filter 80°F
(26.7°C)
OA Outdoor air
RA Return air
EA Exhaust air
RA MA mixed air
supply
fan
75°F
(23.9°C)
SA

conditioned
space
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
 Cooling Coil
80°F (75%) OA 95°F (25%)
EA (25°C) (35°C)

80°F (25%) MA
(25°C) filter 80°F
(26.7°C) tubes

cooling
coil
RA
supply
fan fins
75°F
(23.9°C) header
SA

conditioned
space
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Chilled-Water Cooling Coil

warm, cool,
humid air dry air

drain pan

condensate drain line

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
 part-load operation
Constant-Volume System
OA 95°F
EA (35°C)
constant supply-air quantity
MA variable supply-air temperature
filter 80°F
(26.7°C)

RA FCU

75°F
(23.9°C)
SA
65°F
(18.3°C)

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

 part-load operation
Variable-Air-Volume (VAV) System
OA 95°F
EA (35°C)
variable supply-air quantity
MA constant supply-air temperature
80°F
(26.7°C)

RA FCU

75°F airflow
(23.9°C) modulation
SA device
55°F
VAV (12.8°C)
terminal VAV
unit terminal unit
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Fan-Coil Unit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI0O5xZ3liI

supply-air outlet
cooling coil

supply fan
filter
return-air inlet
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Central Air Handler

cooling
coil supply-air
outlet
return-air
dampers
supply
fan outdoor-air
filters dampers

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Supply-Air Distribution System

outdoor-air inlet

sheet-metal supply duct flexible

duct diffuser

VAV
terminal

return-air central
inlet air handler

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Ceiling Plenum Return
roof
plenum supply air return air
diffuser
ceiling

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Chilled-Water Loop

80°F
(26.7°C) 57°F
(13.9°C)

cooling
coil

55°F 42°F
(12.8°C) (5.6°C)

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Evaporator

80°F
(26.7°C) 57°F
(13.9°C)
EVAPORATOR
evaporator SYSTEM
cooling
coil

55°F 42°F
(12.8°C) (5.6°C)

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Shell-and-Tube Evaporator

chilled-water
supply
chilled-water
return

refrigerant
vapor

liquid and vapor

tubes refrigerant
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Pump and Control Valve

control
80°F valve
(26.7°C) 57°F
(13.9°C)
evaporator
cooling
coil

55°F 42°F
(12.8°C) (5.6°C)

pump

Link: Viedo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqvo7bSr6t8
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Two-Way Versus Three-Way Valves

coil with two-way coil with three-way

control valve control valve

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Small Chilled-Water System

water chiller

pump cooling coil

control
valve

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Refrigeration Loop

80°F
(26.7°C) 57°F 50°F
(13.9°C) (10°C)
evaporator
Air water Refrigeration
site site site
55°F 42°F 38°F
(12.8°C) (5.6°C) (3.3°C)

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Compressor
compressor

 Reciprocating
80°F
(26.7°C) 57°F  Scroll
50°F 120°F
(13.9°C) (10°C) (48.9°C)
 Helical-rotary
evaporator
(screw)
 Centrifugal
55°F 42°F 38°F
(12.8°C) (5.6°C) (3.3°C)

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Condenser
compressor

80°F
(26.7°C) 57°F 50°F 120°F
(13.9°C) (10°C) (48.9°C)
evaporator

condenser
55°F 42°F 38°F 110°F
(12.8°C) (5.6°C) (3.3°C) (43.3°C)

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Types of Condensers
fan
propeller fan
refrigerant vapor
finned-tube coil
outdoor air

liquid refrigerant sump pump

air-cooled
evaporative
refrigerant vapor

condenser
water water-cooled

liquid refrigerant tubes

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Expansion Device
compressor

80°F
(26.7°C) 57°F 50°F 120°F
(13.9°C) (10°C) (48.9°C)
evaporator

condenser
55°F 42°F 38°F 110°F
(12.8°C) (5.6°C) (3.3°C) (43.3°C)

expansion
device

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

 Helical-Rotary Water Chiller
compressor

condenser

condenser
water

evaporator
chilled
water
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Finned-Tube Evaporator (Coil)

liquid
airflow refrigerant

refrigerant
vapor
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
No Chilled-Water Loop
compressor

cooling coil air-cooled

(evaporator) condenser

expansion
device

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Packaged Rooftop Air Conditioner

filters supply fan propeller-type

condenser fans

exhaust fan

cooling coil
(evaporator)

air-cooled condenser compressors

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Pump and Control Valve
control
valve

80°F
(26.7°C) 57°F 50°F 120°F 100°F
(13.9°C) (10°C) (48.9°C) (37.8°C)
condenser

42°F 38°F 110°F 85°F cooling

55°F tower
(12.8°C) (5.6°C) (3.3°C) (43.3°C) (29.4°C)

pump

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Heat-Rejection Loop

80°F
(26.7°C) 57°F 50°F 120°F 100°F
(13.9°C) (10°C) (48.9°C) (37.8°C)
condenser

42°F 38°F 110°F 85°F cooling

55°F tower
(12.8°C) (5.6°C) (3.3°C) (43.3°C) (29.4°C)

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Cooling Tower

propeller fan
sprays
fill

outdoor air

sump

© American Standard Inc. 2004

to condenser from condenser
Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Water Chiller and Cooling Tower

cooling tower

pump

control
valve bypass pipe

water-cooled condenser

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Controls Loop

building automation system

system-level controller
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Packaged Air-Cooled Chiller

propeller-type
evaporator condenser fans
air-cooled
compressor condenser

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Packaged Air-Cooled Chiller
compressor

evaporator air-cooled
condenser

expansion
device

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Rooftop VAV System

packaged rooftop
air conditioner
VAV terminals

system-level
controller

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Air-Cooled Chiller, Fan-Coil System
dedicated outdoor-air unit

fan-coil units
exhaust fan

air-cooled chiller
system-level controller

hot-water boiler pumps

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Introduction to HVAC Systems
period two
Direct Expansion (DX) Versus
Chilled-Water Systems

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Direct Expansion (DX)

expansion
airflow valve
evaporator

liquid
refrigerant

refrigerant
vapor
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Air-Cooled DX System
compressor

air-cooled
condenser propeller
fans
cooling coil
(evaporator)

outdoor
air

condenser coils
expansion
device

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Packaged DX Air Conditioner

filters supply fan propeller-type

condenser fans

exhaust fan

cooling coil
(evaporator)

air-cooled condenser compressors

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Split DX System
cooling coil
(evaporator)

supply fan

air-cooled condenser

compressors
refrigerant piping

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Chilled-Water Loop

control
valve

cooling
coil
evaporator

pump

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Packaged Water Chillers

water-cooled

air-cooled

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Split Chilled-Water System

air-cooled condensing unit

remote
evaporator

refrigerant
piping

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

DX versus chilled water
Factors Affecting the Decision
 Installed cost
 Energy consumption
 Space requirements
 Freeze prevention
 Building height, size,
shape
 System capacity
 Centralized maintenance
 Stability of control
 Individual tenant billing

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Installed Cost

air-cooled DX system

air-cooled,
chilled-water system

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Energy Consumption
chilled
DX water

Compressor(s)  

Supply and exhaust  

(or return) fans

Condenser (or  
cooling tower) fans

Pumps 

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Space Requirements

rooftop installation

indoor equipment room

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
 Freeze Prevention
70

60 freeze protection
ethylene glycol concentration,

50
% by weight

40

30
burst protection
20

10

0
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30
(-46) (-40) (-34) (-29) (-23) (-18) (-12) (-7) (-1)

© American Standard Inc. 2004

temperature, °F (°C) Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Building Height, Size, Shape

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

 System Capacity
equipment type

packaged water chillers

DX equipment

0 200 400 4,000

(0) (700) (1,400) (14,000)
cooling capacity, tons (kW)

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Centralized Maintenance

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Stability of Control

DX

setpoint
chilled
water

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Individual Tenant Billing

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Introduction to HVAC Systems
period three
Common HVAC System Types

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

System Categories
zones served by supply fan

single zone single zone

constant volume variable volume

multiple zone multiple zone

constant volume variable volume

air volume delivered by supply fan

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Single Zone, Constant Volume

EA RA

supply SA
OA cooling fan
coil

thermostat
zone

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

single-zone systems
Single Thermostat

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

single zone, constant volume
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner

condenser fan compressor

air-cooled
supply fan condenser
filter

front grille
cooling coil wall sleeve
© American Standard Inc. 2004
(evaporator) Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
single zone, constant volume
Packaged DX Rooftop System

sheet-metal
supply duct
packaged rooftop
air conditioner
diffuser

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

single zone, constant volume
Split DX System
cooling coil
(evaporator)

supply fan

air-cooled condenser

compressors
refrigerant piping

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

single zone, constant volume
Chilled-Water Terminal System

air-cooled
water chiller

pumps
classroom
unit ventilator hot-water
boiler
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
single zone, constant volume
Four-Pipe Versus Two-Pipe System
4-pipe 2-pipe
Coils per terminal unit 2 1

Water distribution piping 2 sets 1 set

Heating and cooling either or both mutually

simultaneously exclusive

Temperature control direct direct

Humidity control direct indirect

(if heating coil
downstream
of cooling coil)
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Dedicated Outdoor-Air System

OA ducted OA ducted to
directly to terminal units
spaces

OA ducted to
plenum near
terminal units

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

single zone, constant volume
Water-Source Heat Pump

refrigerant-to-air
heat exchanger

expansion
device
compressor
supply fan
reversing
valve

refrigerant-to-water
heat exchanger
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
single zone, constant volume
Water-Source Heat-Pump System
cooling tower
off

plate-and-frame
heat exchanger
boiler off

heat pumps in heat pumps in

cooling mode heating mode

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

single zone, constant volume
Water-Source Heat-Pump System
dedicated cooling tower
outdoor-air unit

heat pump, duct, diffuser

system-level
controller

boiler, pumps, air separator

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
single zone, constant volume
Ground-Source Heat-Pump System

heat pump

pumps
geothermal
heat exchanger
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Single Zone, Variable Volume

EA RA

supply SA
OA cooling fan
coil

variable-speed
drive thermostat
zone

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

System Categories
zones served by supply fan

single zone single zone

constant volume variable volume

multiple zone multiple zone

constant volume variable volume

air volume delivered by supply fan

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Multiple Zones, Constant Volume

EA RA

supply SA
OA cooling fan
coil
reheat coil

thermostat
zone zone

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

multiple zones, constant volume
Multizone Air Handler

RA
EA

SA
OA

multizone air handler

thermostat
zone zone

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

multiple zones, constant volume
Changeover–Bypass System

EA RA

bypass damper

supply SA
OA fan

damper
constant-volume supply fan,
variable-volume airflow to spaces
thermostat
zone zone

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

multiple zones, constant volume
Changeover–Bypass System

packaged rooftop
air conditioner
diffuser

modulating
damper
system-level
controller
bypass
damper
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Multiple Zones, Variable Volume

EA RA

supply SA
OA cooling fan
coil
VAV box

thermostat
zone zone

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

multiple zones, variable volume
VAV Terminal Units

parallel
fan-powered
cooling only
cooling
with reheat

series
fan-powered
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
multiple zones, variable volume
DX Rooftop VAV System
packaged DX rooftop
air conditioner

return supply

VAV terminal,
diffusers system-level
controller

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

multiple zones, variable volume
Self-Contained DX VAV System
cooling tower

diffuser

VAV terminal

self-contained
DX air conditioner system-level
controller

hot-water boiler,
© American Standard Inc. 2004
pumps Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
multiple zones, variable volume
Central Chilled-Water VAV System

cooling tower

VAV terminal,
diffusers

air handler
system-level
controller

hot-water boiler, water-cooled

© American Standard Inc. 2004 pumps chiller Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
multiple zones, variable volume
Two-Fan, Dual-Duct VAV System
cooling air handler

OA PA

dual-duct
VAV terminal
units

heating air handler

PA
EA RA

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

multiple zones, variable volume
Dual-Duct VAV Terminal Unit

warm primary air

cool primary air

supply air

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Introduction to HVAC Systems
period four
Factors That Affect Selection of
the HVAC System

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Preference of Building Owner

 Owner
 Occupies building
 Developer
 Leases to tenants
 May sell building soon
after construction

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Available Construction Budget

interior
other

foundation mechanical

exterior,
roof
electrical
structure

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Size and Shape of Building

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Function of Building
 Comfort requirements
 Temperature
 Humidity
 Air movement
 Fresh air
 Clean air
 Noise levels
 Number of tenants
 After-hours usage
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Architectural Limitations

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Life-Cycle Cost
 Installation
 Energy (operation)
 Maintenance
 Replacement

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Ease of Operation and Maintenance

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Time Available for Construction

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Introduction to HVAC Systems
period five
Review

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Review—Period One

building automation system

system-level controller
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Review—Period Two

packaged DX
rooftop air conditioner
packaged
air-cooled water chiller
© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN
Review—Period Three

multiple-zone, central
chilled-water VAV system

single-zone, packaged
DX rooftop system

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN

Review—Period Four
 Preference of building owner
 Available construction budget
 Size and shape of building
 Function of building (comfort requirements)
 Architectural limitations
 Life-cycle cost
 Ease of operation and maintenance
 Time available for construction

© American Standard Inc. 2004 Air Conditioning Clinic TRG-TRC018-EN