Heating Cooling System Efficiency

Course Number: 378

This course covers the measurement of various environmental factors and their effect on human comfort. It introduces the concept of zones and covers ventilation requirements and savings possible by reducing airflow. It examines energy waste vs. conservation measures relating to furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, and refrigeration equipment.

Recommended Contact Hours - 10

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.