CHAPTER 11
HEATING,
VENTILATION AND AIR
- CONDITIONING
the importance of HVAC systems in maintaining building comfort, through proper maintenance and understanding of
HVAC equipment and operating costs, and the requirement for special care of certain HVAC system elements to
ensure safety and health. Proper knowledge and management of HVAC systems are crucial for creating a
comfortable and cost-effective indoor environment.
Thermal Comfort and Its Factors
The HVAC system maintains thermal comfort by controlling factors; temperature, humidity, and
air quality through the use of equipment like heaters, chillers, and air filters. Some factors affecting comfort would
be the following:
air temperature of the room:
air movement inside the room;
wet-bulb temperature or the relative humidity within the room air;
room activity level;
materials used in room occupants' clothing; and
surface temperature of the room.
The HVAC has established a comfort zone range of industry temperature relative humidity conditions
that 80% of population finds comfortable.
the criteria for comfort, air quality, and proper HVAC system functioning to ensure sufficient oxygen
and absence of harmful elements like mold and bacteria.
HVAC systems can produce noise due to fluid movement, which is sometimes intentionally incorporated
as "white noise" to obscure other sounds. However, improper design or poor maintenance can also lead
to unpleasant noises from air discharge.
LOADS AND COMFORT BUILT-UP
(referred to as loads by engineers can be best managed by the HVAC system.
1. Fair and latent loads - are the easiest to break down.
2. Sensitive loads - involve only heat addition (and removal) with consequent rises (or decreases) in the
temperature of the dry bulb.
3. Latent loads - changes in relative humidity through moisture addition or removal.
Heating loads have both sensible and latent components, so HVAC systems must address both cooling and
dehumidification to maintain comfort and prevent issues like mold and mildew.
Ventilation and infiltration loads are similar in many ways.
Ventilation loads are designed into buildings to meet comfort and safety needs, but they usually require
energy for heating or cooling, though they can provide cooling and eliminate the need for cooling
equipment under the right circumstances.
Infiltration loads are not designed into buildings but are a function of air leakage.
HEATING EQUIPMENT SOURCES OF HEAT
AND ITS SOURCES
In colder climates, space heating requirements Electricity is widely available, safe, and clean, but it is often
are high, and heating equipment has significant one of the most costly fuel sources, though it can still be an
maintenance needs and more critical safety economical option. In medium to large hotels and resorts,
issues than cooling equipment due to the the common method for providing hot water and heat is to
presence of flame and flue gases. use a commercial boiler system, which can be accomplished
through a calorifier or an indirect hot water storage tank,
and a separate water heater system can be used when hot
water demand is high.
PROCEDURES AND MAINTENANCE OF DIFFERENT
COOLING SYSTEMS
1. nspect the machinery for cooling leaks by looking for oil borne by the leaking refrigerant outside the equipment, using special
devices if needed.
2. Check refrigerant dryers for water pollution indicators that absorb and retain moisture, and replace dryers if the problem persists.
3. Ensure evaporators and air-cooled condensers are regularly cleaned.
4. Clean drip pans, replace algaecide tablets, and reapply protective paints.
5. Check equipment conditions and refer to manuals for guidance.
6. Maintain drive motor with focus on temperatures and controls to prevent failure.
Compression equipment and cooling systems have specific maintenance requirements and efficiency measures that must be understood
to optimize performance, control energy costs, and make informed purchasing decisions. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is a key metric
for evaluating the energy efficiency of smaller cooling units, with higher EER indicating greater efficiency. Cooling equipment capacities
are expressed in both BTU/h and tons.
For example: A guestroom unit can provide 7,000 to 14,000 BTU/h of cooling, which is equivalent to
0.58 to 1.17 tons of cooling capacity (where 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF CFCS AND HCFCS
HCFC, CFC, and HFC refrigerants are harmful greenhouse gases with high global warming potential,
commonly found in air conditioning and other refrigerants, depleting the ozone layer.
HVAC SYSTEM IN THE GUESTROOM
Two types of HVAC systems are centralized and decentralized systems. Below is
an overview of the types of HVAC systems:
Centralized HVAC systems provide hot water and cooling to buildings by circulating water through air-
conditioning units and using fans to exchange heat between the water and air.
Two-pipe system
Three-pipe system
Four-pipe system
Advantages of Two-Pipe Centralized Air-conditioning System
provides both heating and cooling.
operational cost is minimal.
Disadvantages of Two-Pipe Centralized Air-conditioning System
takes a lot of time to switch mode (only one mode)
shutdown of both boiler and chiller during seasons of the year.
The three-pipe system, found mainly in older buildings, provides heating and cooling options by
delivering both hot and cold water to the unit and mixing the cool returning water, but this
decreases the efficiency and increases the maintenance costs of the boiler and chiller.
The four-pipe system is as comfortable as the three-pipe system but more efficient and expensive
due to segregated water supply/return and two coils in the fan unit.
Decentralized systems that provide cooling use a small refrigeration system (compressor,
condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve) within the guestroom cabinet that extends through
the outside wall to provide cooling.
Through-the-wall and split-type units
Cooling only
Cooling with electric heating
Cooling with heat pump heating
Baseboard electric heater/wall-mounted electric heater
Hybrid and Other System - use a water source heat pump with high-positioned
evaporator/condenser to efficiently recover energy and be installed inside the building.
Furnace with or without cooling
Water source heat pumps
HVAC Maintenance in the Guestroom
The guestroom fan coil device is fairly simple. It is a typical prototype for these units. Regular maintenance of the
HVAC system is part of preventive maintenance and should be conducted. These tasks include the following:
Check all valves and control panels.
Inspect thermostat and connections for proper operation.
Clean grill inlet and assemble other pieces.
Change car's air filter regularly.
Clean condensation drain and add algaecide as per instructions.
Inspect fans and address any disconnections.
Inspect and test electrical plugs and sockets.
Clean and examine external air inlet.
Clear all coils.
Lubricate blower motors.
Inspect painted surfaces, reapply if in coastal areas.
HVAC System in Other Building Areas
The guestroom refrigeration and heating systems can be used in other areas of the property. Units similar to
these can be found in places such as offices, certain halls, and lobby locations. Other areas can use different
types of heating and cooling systems from the guestroom. Many healthcare systems depend on air for
distribution.
HVAC System Types and Their Configurations
Building areas like lobbies, offices, and common spaces typically use different air-conditioning systems
compared to the ones used in guestrooms.
These systems can be broadly categorized into two main types:
1. Packaged air-conditioning systems integrate all components like compressor, condenser, and evaporator
into a single, compact unit. These systems are typically installed on the roof or outside the building to serve a
specific area or zone and commonly used in smaller to medium-sized buildings or where individual zone control
is needed.
2. Air handling units are central air-conditioning systems that condition and distribute air
throughout the building. It consist of components like a fan, heating and cooling coils, filters, and
sometimes a humidifier or dehumidifier. These systems are typically located in a central
mechanical room or on the roof and are connected to ductwork distributing conditioned air. AHUs
are commonly used in larger buildings or applications requiring a more centralized and flexible air-
conditioning system.
Indoor AC systems in public spaces like hotels have compact designs for easy installation, but
their rooftop placement can lead to them being overlooked and improperly secured, as seen in the
example of a ballroom air conditioner with unsecured doors and ductwork.
HVAC Upkeep and Requirements
1. Regular maintenance of HVAC systems is necessary to ensure their proper functioning, which
includes tasks like changing filters, cleaning components, and inspecting refrigerants.
2. Filtering should be done on a regular schedule or as needed, based on the pressure loss
occurring through the filterF, which can be calculated using the filter's installation details.
3. Checking and replacing belts and chains are critical processes to reduce the risk of future
failure, and a worn fan should be replaced to prevent potential damage.
4. When belts are worn, the entire set should be replaced, as used belts have lost their tension and
alignment, which can affect the overall performance of the system.
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YOU