HVAC SYSTEM

The initials HVAC stand for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. They describe the functions of an HVAC system. This mechanical system’s design is
primarily an attempt to take control of the environmental conditions inside the space you work.
Types of Ac –
1. Central Ac - Central air conditioners circulate cool air through supply and return ducts
2. VRV (variable refrigerant volume) - Several air handlers (indoor units) on the same refrigerant loop / circuit.
3. Ductless, mini-split air conditioner - Ductless, mini-split systems are most common in parts of the home that have been retro-fitted.
4. Window air conditioner - These types of units are best for those who live in small spaces
5. Hybrid air conditioners - In the summer, heat pump pulls heat from space and distributing it outdoors. In the winter, heat pump pulls air from the
outside environment and distributing it into space.
6. VRV / VRF - Several air handlers (indoor units) on the same refrigerant loop / circuit can be connected.
Basic components of an HVAC system
The basic components or equipment of an HVAC system that delivers conditioned air to satisfy thermal comfort of space and occupants and the achieve the
indoor air quality are listed below
1. Mixed-air plenum and outdoor air control 9. Heating and cooling coils
2. Air filter 10. Self-contained heating or cooling unit
3. Supply fan 11. Cooling tower
4. Exhaust or relief fans and an air outlet 12. Boiler
5. Outdoor air intake 13. Control
6. Ducts 14. Water chiller
7. Terminal devices 15. Humidification and dehumidification equipment
8. Return air system

Parts of Air conditioning cycle

1. Compressor - gaseous refrigerant is turned to a very hot and high-pressure vapor
2. Condenser - The refrigerant turns from a vapor into a hot liquid due to the high pressure
and reduction in temperature
3. Expansion Valve - The expansion device has one sole purpose: to reduce refrigerant
pressure
4. Evaporator Coil - responsible for cooling the air going to the space by evaporating the
refrigerant flowing through it.

Ventilation types -
 Natural & Mechanical
 Mechanical (Pressure Driven flows)
Wind pressures are generally high/positive on the windward side of a building and low/negative on the Leeward side.

 Mechanical (Stack vent / Stack effect)

 Stack effect or chimney effect is the movement of air into and out of buildings, chimneys, flue-gas stacks, or other containers, resulting from air
buoyancy.
 Mechanical (Combination of wind pressure and stack effect ventilation)
Occurs when strong wind flows towards the opening. The internal air will be pushed out through chimneys or atrium.
Mechanical ventilation
Mechanical ventilation is provided by an air handler (AHU) and used to control indoor air quality.
Various methods of Mechanical ventilation are:
a) Natural inflow & mechanical outflow
b) Mechanical inflow & natural outflow
c) Mechanical inflow & outflow

Centralized AC System
Central air conditioning systems serve multiple spaces from one base location. These typically use chilled water as a cooling medium and use extensive
ductwork for air distribution.
Working of Centralized System
Centralized systems are defined as those in which the cooling (chilled water) is generated in a chiller at one base
location and distributed to air-handling units or fan-coil units located through out the building spaces. The air is cooled
with secondary media chiller.
Sub Systems of Centralized AC
 Chilled water plant
 Condenser water system (heat rejection system)
 Air-delivery system
Chilled Water System
 The chilled water system supplies chilled water for the cooling needs of all the building’s air-handling units (AHUs)
 The system includes a chilled water pump which circulates the chilled water through the chiller’s evaporator section
and through the cooling coils of the AHUs.

Condensor Water System

Air cooled units absorb heats from the indoor space and rejects it to ambient air.
Two types of Heat rejections:
 Air cooled
 Water cooled

Air Delivery System

Air is drawn into a building HVAC system through the air intake by the AHU unit
Once in a system supply air is filtered to remove particulated matter (dust or mould) , heated or cool and then circulated
throughout the builing via air distribution system , Its typically a system of supply ducts and registers.

Components of Central AC
An Air Handling Unit (AHU) is used to condition and circulate air as part of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning
system. An AHU designed for outdoor use, typically on roofs.
A damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a duct, air handler, or other air-handling equipment.
Fan coil unit – Boost the flow of air through ducts