MAIN

System Type: If the air handling system is being used for cooling purposes then it will
provide either a constant volume of air or it will be capable of varying the air volume
handled. Choose ‘Constant Volume’ if the system provides a constant volume or choose
‘VAV’ if the volume being provided is variable.

If the air handling system is using a ‘Constant Volume’ then you must also specify whether
the room air quantities will be based on a proportioned amount of air or a sum of the peak
requirements. The proportioned amount would be calculated by determining the maximum
supply CFM required by all the rooms which use the particular air handling system being
detailed and proportions this amount back to the individual rooms based on their peak
loads. The sum of the peaks CFM method determines the maximum supply CFM required
for each room which uses the particular air handling system being detailed at its peak time
and sums these maximum requirements together. Note that different rooms have different
peak times, so if you sum the peaks, the system as a whole will normally provide more air
than is necessary for the rooms. However, when the proportioned method is used each
room is usually under-supplied during the time of its peak load. The choice is up to
you. Choose ‘Proportion’ if the system is to use a proportioned amount or choose ‘Sum of
peaks’ if the system is to use a sum of the peaks.

Occurrences of This Air Handler: This entry is used to duplicate rooms that access this
air handler. For example, if you had defined three different rooms under this air handler
and then specified that this system occurs twice in the building, the room loads for the three
rooms would be doubled for a total of six rooms. Rooms that used other air handlers would
not be affected. Note that you can also duplicate individual rooms at the room
level. Entering a zero in this field deactivates this air handler and all the rooms that
reference it are skipped when performing calculations. The valid range of values is 0 to
100.

Room Exhaust May not Exceed Supply: The supply air is either calculated by the
program or entered directly. In addition to the ventilation outside air, you are allowed to
enter an exhaust air CFM for each room. This entry is used in cases where the exhaust air
entered for a particular room is greater than the supply air amount. Check this option if you
want Chvac to artificially increase the supply air until the supply air for that room equals
the exhaust air amount entered. Leave the option unchecked if you want Chvac to allow
negative pressurization for the room.

Heating Coil: If you have a particular heating supply CFM that you want Chvac to use,
then select the option ‘Total heating supply CFM’ and enter the total heating supply CFM
in the data field beside that option. If you would like to enter a leaving heating coil
temperature, then select the option ‘Leaving heating coil temperature’ and enter the
temperature in the data field beside that option.

Excess Supply Air: This entry is used when the amount of supply air is specified is
greater than required to meet the building loads. It simply tells Chvac how you want to
handle such a situation so that subcooling of rooms is avoided. The most common method
is ‘Reserve Capacity’ which balances the extra CFM with an additional gain on the supply
side of the coil indicating the air handler has a greater capacity than needed by the rooms at
this time. The extra CFM can also be balanced with an additional gain that has been
physically heated before it enters the room to prevent subcooling. This method is called
‘Reheat’. Finally, the least common way to deal with extra supply air is called ‘Adjust’
which adjusts the temperature of the air leaving the cooling coil. Note that using this
method could result in unusually high leaving coil temperatures to obtain the supply air
quantities desired without overcooling. This last method should only be used when excess
air requirement for some rooms is minimal.

Cooling Coil: If you would like to enter the leaving dry bulb temperature of the cooling
coil, select the option ‘Leaving dry bulb temperature’ and enter it in the data field beside
that option. A typical temperature is 55 degree Fahrenheit. If you would like to enter a
relative humidity of the cooling coil, select the option ‘Leaving relative humidity’ and enter
it in the data field beside that option. A typical relative humidity is 95 percent. If you
know the supply air the air system can provide, enter it in the data field beside the option
‘Leaving cooling coil CFM’. Chvac will then attempt to honor both the supply air
specified and the temperature or relative humidity entered. Note that if the CFM specified
here is LESS than necessary then it will be ignored. The valid range of values for ‘Leaving
dry bulb temperatures’ is 0 to 100 degrees. The valid range of values for ‘Leaving relative
humidity’ is 50 to 100 percent.

Supply Fan: Choose the ‘Draw through’ option if the supply air fan of the air handling
unit draws air through the (cooling and/or heating) coil (and is located on the supply
side). Choose the ‘Blow through’ option if the supply air fan of the air handling unit blows
air through the (cooling and/or heating) coil (and is located on the return side). Choose the
‘Package fan’ option if the supply fan is part of a packaged unit or if no supply fan is
used. Since packaged units account for fan heat gain with the capacity of the unit,
packaged units are treated like blow-thru fans as far as supply air is concerned (i.e. there is
no fan gain between the supply air and room).

Motor & Fan Efficiency: This input is pertinent only if the supply fan is not part of a
packaged unit. This is because the fan/motor heat gain has already been accounted for in
the tonnage rating of a packaged unit. Assuming that the supply fan is not part of a
packaged unit and that only the fan itself (not the motor) is positioned in the air stream then
you should enter the efficiency of the fan alone (usually from 60% to 85%). If both the fan
and motor are situated within the air stream, you should enter the combined fan/motor
efficiency which is the product of the fan and motor efficiencies. The valid range of values
is from 0 to 100 percent.

Static Pressure Across Fan: This input is pertinent only if the supply fan is not part of a
packaged unit. Assuming that the supply fan is not part of a packaged unit then Chvac
must know the static pressure inches of water across the fan in order to determine the
fan/.motor heat gain. This static pressure difference typically ranges from two (2) to three
(3) inches of water. The valid range of values is from 0 to 100.00 In. Wg.
GENERAL

Profiles: These inputs allow you to specify what operating load profile (whether for the
people, lighting, or equipment) should be used by Chvac to calculate the operating load per
hour. An entry of a whole number from one (1) to ten (10) indicates you want to use a load
profile different from the one entered on the General Project Data window. Enter a minus
one (-1) to force a zero regardless of the value on the General Project Data window. The
value you enter here can be overridden on the Room Data window.

Safety Factors: These inputs allow you to specify what percentage of the HVAC loads
(whether its sensible gain, latent gain, or winter heating loss) should be added as a safety
factor. An entry of a whole number from 1 to 50 indicates you want to use a safety factor
different from the one entered on the General Project Data window. The value you enter
here can be overridden on the Room Data window. The valid range of values is from -1 to
50 percent.

Water Temperature Difference: If a chilled/hot water system is to be used for this

project, Chvac can calculate the required water flow rate through the cooling/heating coils
if it knows what the expected temperature difference (TD) of the water entering and leaving
the coil is. The valid range of values is from 0 to 100.0 degrees.

Percent Sensible Capacity (Sensible-to-Latent Split): Note that this input is normally
not used for commercial projects, where the tonnage of the system is simply a summation
of the sensible and latent loads. It will only be used if you select 'Adjusted' for the Cooling
Load Method option on this window. If you have a smaller project such as a residential
application or small commercial building this input allows you to specify the sensible-to-
latent split of the air handling unit to be installed on this system. Normally, approximately
75% of an air handler's cooling capacity will be devoted to cooling sensible load, while the
remainder will be for cooling latent load. If you know the exact number, enter it in the
input field. For a more detailed explanation of this principle, see the Percent Sensible
Capacity topic in this help reference.

Cooling Load Method: Determines how Chvac calculates the peak times and final
tonnages of the air handler. Selecting Net causes Chvac to simply add the sensible and
latent loads of each system when determining the peak hour and month and when reporting
the amount of tons of cooling required. This also applies when finding the building peak
time. Selecting Adjusted causes the program to adjust the system's sensible or latent load
according to the Percent Sensible Capacity entered for the air handler so that the total
required tonnage reported will be large enough to meet both the sensible and latent portions
of the load. This value (normally 75%) is entered on the General tab of the Air Handler
Data window. For more information about this principle, see the Percent Sensible Capacity
topic in this help reference.

Calculation Options: This input item allows you to specify what calculations should be
performed for rooms in this air handler. Chvac can either calculate cooling loads only,
heating loads only, or both cooling and heating loads. Note that there is a default entry that
applies to all rooms in the project unless specifically overridden either here or in the Room
Data window. That default entry can be found in the General Project Data window. Note
that any entry here will apply to all of the rooms on the air handling system being defined,
but individual rooms can override this setting in the Room Data window.
INFIL & VENT

Chvac allows four different methods for adding outside air whether for ventilation or
infiltration. Note that due to seasonal variations you can describe different summer
(cooling) and winter (heating) rates for both infiltration and ventilation. Ordinarily, a room
would not have both infiltration and ventilation, although Chvac is capable of performing
the calculations. Note that these inputs can be overridden on the Room Data window.

Ventilation refers to outside (fresh) air that is mechanically introduced into the conditioned
space by the HVAC equipment while infiltration refers to air leaking in an uncontrolled
manner into the building through gaps (cracks) in the envelope. Note that the outside air
should typically be from six (6) to ten (10) percent of the total supply air for occupant
comfort. In no case should the outside air total be less that five 5) CFM per person.

The addition of outside air imposes a load on the HVAC equipment that must be accounted
for. If entered as infiltration rather than ventilation, the supply air requirement of the rooms
is increased as well. The additional heating and sensible cooling loads are determined
using the design temperature differences while the latent cooling load is determined using
the grains of moisture difference. Typically, less ventilation air is needed in the winter than
in the summer. The four methods are described below. Be sure that no matter which
method you use, the fresh air circulating through the building is not less than 5 CFM per
person to prevent CO2 buildup..

Air changes per hour: Outside air is to be added on an air change per hour basis. If you
enter in an air change per hour value the program will multiply that value by the total
volume of the structure and divide the result by 60 to determine the total CFM. Typical
values ranges 0.1 to 1.0 air changes in one hour while 0.5 is most common.

CFM per person: Outside air is to be added on a CFM per person basis. Typical values
range from 5 to 30 CFM per person for ventilation air while 10 CFM per person is most
common.

CFM per square foot: Outside air is to be added on a CFM per square foot basis. Typical
values range from 0.1 to 1.0 CFM per square foot.

CFM per person AND CFM per square foot: Outside air is added on the basis of a CFM
per person value plus a CFM per square foot value. The second Value input (for
CFM/sq.ft.) becomes enabled only when you select this option.

Direct CFM: This input allows you to define the exact CFM of outside air that is to be
added.

100% of supply: Outside air comprises 100% of the total air supply. Note that this option
is only available for Heating and Cooling Ventilation, and only on the Air Handler Data
window. Also note that this is the only option that does not require a value to be entered
into the Value field.
Value: Enter the number appropriate for the selected option. Note that due to seasonal
variations, you can describe different summer (cooling) and winter (heating) rates for both
infiltration and ventilation. Ordinarily, a system would not have both infiltration and
ventilation although Chvac is capable of performing the calculations. Enter a value
corresponding to the option you have selected.

Ventilation Value Description (Optional): Enter a description corresponding to the

ventilation value in the Value boxes above. This description will be filled in automatically
when you select an item from the dropdown help for the Value input, if you choose one of
the CFM per person or CFM per square foot options.
INDOOR CONDITIONS

Design Month: This is default information that can only be changed on the
Indoor/Outdoor Design Conditions window. The specific month for which the temperature
and humidity settings are being made for is listed here.

Outdoor Dry Bulb Temperature (Outdoor Dry Bulb): This is default information that
can only be changed on the Indoor/Outdoor Design Conditions window. The outdoor dry
bulb temperature to be used by Chvac in its calculations is listed here.

Outdoor Wet Bulb Temperature (Outdoor Wet Bulb): This is default information that
can only be changed on the Indoor/Outdoor Design Conditions window. The outdoor wet
bulb temperature to be used by Chvac in its calculations is listed here.

Indoor Dry Bulb Temperature (Indoor Dry Bulb): Enter the new indoor design dry
bulb temperature you want for this air handling system. If you leave this value as zero (0),
the previously entered values (shown to the right) will be used. If you enter a negative one
(-1) as the value then the indoor dry bulb temperature will be equal to zero (0). The valid
range of values is from -1 to 150 degrees except in the case of Winter Indoor Dry Bulb
Temperature. For the Winter Indoor Dry Bulb Temperature, the valid range of values is 0
to 100 degrees.

Indoor Relative Humidity: Enter the new indoor design dry bulb temperature you want
for this air handling system. If you leave this value as zero (0), the previously entered
values (shown in the gray box to the right of this input) will be used. The valid range of
values is from 0 to 99 percent.
MISC

Winter Temperature Drop (Supply): This input refers to the estimated temperature drop
that is experienced by the air entering the supply ducts in the winter. This normally occurs
when the ductwork is exposed to outside air or an unconditioned space.

Winter Temperature Drop (Return): This value refers to the estimated temperature drop
that is experienced by the air leaving the system through the return ducts in the
winter. This normally occurs when the ductwork is exposed to outside air or an
unconditioned space.

Summer Temperature Rise (Supply): This value refers to the estimated temperature rise
that is experienced by the air entering the supply ducts in the summer. This normally
occurs when the ductwork is exposed to outside air or an unconditioned space.

Summer Temperature Rise (Return): This value refers to the estimated temperature rise
that is experienced by the air leaving the system through the return ducts in the
summer. This normally occurs when the ductwork is exposed to outside air or an
unconditioned space.

Miscellaneous Gain: These entries are used to account for sensible or latent miscellaneous
loads that are felt at the air handler level such as booster fans or other equipment on the air
handler system itself. If you have such loads, be sure that you enter them on the
appropriate side of the coil: either supply side or return side.

Pretreated Outside Air Options: Specifies whether to calculate with pretreated air for
cooling, heating, both, or not at all. Pretreated air refers to ventilation air that has been
heated or cooled before it is mixed with the return air. In the summer, this pre-treatment
involves cooling the outside air and in the winter it involves heating it.

Ignore pretreated load at the building level: Normally, when outside air is pretreated,
energy must be used to heat or cool the air. Chvac will account for the pretreated air load
in the Total Building Summary report unless you choose this option. Note that if you
include the pretreated load in the calculations, the sum of the ventilation load and the pre-
treating load will always exactly equal what the ventilation load would have been if the air
had not been pretreated.

Summer dry bulb of pretreated air: Specifies the summer dry bulb temperature of the
pretreated air before it is mixed with the return air. The lower this temperature is, the lower
the load will be at the air handler level.

Summer wet bulb of pretreated air: Specifies the summer wet bulb temperature of the
pretreated air before it is mixed with the return air.

Winter dry bulb of pretreated air: Specifies the winter dry bulb temperature of the
pretreated air before it is mixed with the return air. The higher this temperature is, the lower
the load will be at the air handler level.
Do Heat Recovery: Setting these inputs to Yes specifies that a heat recovery ventilator
will be used. This device is used in the winter to reduce the ventilation load by warming up
the outside air by using a heat exchanger that extracts some of the heat from the air being
exhausted from the building. In summer, the exhaust is used to cool the ventilation
air. See the Psychrometric Analysis report for the results of using the HRV inputs.

Note that it is NOT necessary to specify that the air is pretreated when specifying that HRV
equipment is being used. The pretreated air inputs are independent of the HRV inputs.

In order for the HRV inputs to have any effect you must be sure to enter exhaust in one or
more rooms in this air handler. There must be both ventilation and exhaust
present. Ventilation can be entered either on the Air Handler Data window or on the Room
Data window, while exhaust can only be entered on the Room Data window.

Winter Heat Recovery SER: If you selected Yes for above input, enter the Sensible
Effectiveness Ratio here (in percent). This value will be used along with the ventilation
and exhaust air quantities and the outdoor and indoor air temperatures to determine the new
temperature of incoming ventilation air in the winter as a result of a heat recovery
ventilator. See the Psychrometric Analysis report for the results of using the HRV inputs.

Note that it is NOT necessary to specify that the air is pretreated when specifying that HRV
equipment is being used. The pretreated air inputs are independent of the HRV inputs.

In order for the HRV inputs to have any effect you must be sure to enter exhaust in one or
more rooms in this air handler. There must be both ventilation and exhaust
present. Ventilation can be entered either on the Air Handler Data window or on the Room
Data window, while exhaust can only be entered on the Room Data window.