Heating and Cooling Systems

Building Design & Analysis Software CHVAC Energy Trainer for Energy Managers HVAC Module HVAC 1 Toolkit   American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) Air Conditioning Contractors of America Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute Basic Energy Efficiency Terms Combustion Equipment Safety (PDF 1 MB) Energy Consumption Characteristics of Commercial Building HVAC Systems ENERGY STAR® Heating & Cooling for Consumers ENERGY STAR® Light Commercial Heating & Cooling Heating & Cooling Your Home Heating & Cooling Equipment Selection Technology Fact Sheet (PDF 139 KB) Right-Size Heating & Cooling Equipment (PDF 181 KB)   DOE R&D for Heating and Cooling & Commercial Refrigeration DOE R&D for Indoor Air Quality   DOE Appliances & Commercial Equipment Standards DOE Building Energy Codes

This cooltower at the Zion National Park Visitors Center uses evaporative cooling to keep the building comfortable.

HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) refers to the equipment, distribution network, and terminals that provide either collectively or individually the heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning processes to a building.

HVAC systems provide

• Heating
  
  
• Cooling
  
  
• Air Handling, Ventilation, and Air Quality

HVAC accounts for 40% to 60% of the energy used in U.S. commercial and residential buildings. This represents an opportunity for energy savings using proven technologies and design concepts.

HVAC systems have a significant effect on the health, comfort, and productivity of occupants. Issues like user discomfort, improper ventilation, and poor indoor air quality are linked to HVAC system design and operation and can be improved by better mechanical and ventilation systems. In existing buildings, envelope upgrades are often necessary to maximize comfort and energy efficiency, such as reducing envelope leakage.

The best HVAC design considers all the interrelated building systems while addressing indoor air quality, energy consumption, and environmental benefit. Optimizing the design and benefits requires that your mechanical system designer and your architect address these issues early in the schematic design phase and continually revise subsequent decisions throughout the remaining design process. It is also essential that you implement well-thought-out commissioning processes and routine preventative maintenance programs. This is good advice for both new and retrofit applications.

	The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) supplies technical information to engineers and other professionals. In addition, ASHRAE writes standards and guidelines in its field of expertise to guide industry in the delivery of goods and services to the public.

To optimize the selection of efficient, cost-effective mechanical and ventilation systems, perform an energy analysis early in the process, during the schematic design phase. Several design and analysis software programs can provide building simulations on an hourly basis to predict the energy behavior of the building's structure, air conditioning system, and central plant equipment.

Evaluating your HVAC needs or opportunities will be greatly aided if you are familiar with integrated building design concepts. Specifically, you might wish to refer to the sections covering Passive Solar Design, the Building Envelope, and Active Solar and Photovoltaics. If you are constructing a new building, following the Whole Building Design Approach will enable you to reduce your HVAC requirements. This design approach can save lots of money and energy by reducing the size requirements of your HVAC system and its energy demand, while still meeting comfort requirements.

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