Heating/Cooling System Efficiency

Lesson 1: Conditioning the Air

Topics

Human Comfort; Environmental Factors Affecting Human Comfort; Heat Generated Within a Building; Thermal Zones; The Basic All-Air HVAC System; Types of All-Air HVAC Systems; Single-path Systems; Multiple-Path Systems; General Energy Conservation; Guidelines for HVAC

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.

Lesson 2: Managing Airflow in HVAC Systems

Topics

Measuring Air Velocity and Volume Flow Rate; Air Pressure Within a Duct System; The Pitot Tube; Other Airflow Measuring Devices; Building Ventilation Requirements; Determining Ventilation Requirements; The Cost of Using Outside Air; Heat Recovery Systems; Exhaust Systems; Conserving Energy in Exhaust Systems; Maintaining System Components

Objectives

• Compare 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.

Lesson 3: Conserving Energy in Heating Systems

Topics

Heating Units; Warm Air Furnaces; Boilers; Furnace and Boiler Maintenance; Energy Conservation in Furnaces and Boilers; Stack Gas Analysis; Purchased Steam and Hot Water; Metering Steam and Hot Water; Steam Traps; Steam Trap Maintenance; Humidifiers; Heating Controls Maintenance; Domestic Hot Water

Objectives

• Explain why good furnaces and boiler maintenance is an important 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.

Lesson 4: Conserving Energy in Cooling Systems

Topics

Types of Refrigeration Equipment; Mechanical Compression Systems; The Vapor-Compression Cycle; Absorption Refrigeration Systems; The Absorption Refrigeration Cycle; External Refrigeration Controls; Internal Controls-Checking System Operation; Evaporator Temperatures; Condenser Temperatures; Equipment for Cooling Condensers; Cooling Towers; Evaporative Condensers; Air-Cooled Condensers; Water-Cooled Condensers; Self-Contained Air Conditioning Units; Heat Pumps; The Direct Use of Evaporative Cooling Systems; Refrigerators and Freezers

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.

Lesson 5: Reducing Losses in Distribution Systems

Topics

The Nature of Fluid Flow; Reducing Distribution System Losses; Reducing Resistance to Air Movement; Fans; Insulating Air Ducting; Fluid Flow in Piping Systems; Balancing Hydronic Systems; Insulating Piping Systems; Centrifugal Pumps; Maintaining Centrifugal Pumps; Strainers in Hydronic Systems; Control Valves; Three-Way Control Valves; Maintaining Control Valves

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.