Thursday 24 July 2014

How to Assess Heating and Ventilation Loads Before Buying the HVAC System

When it comes to selecting the HVAC system, heating and ventilating loads play significant role. Several environmental factors and design computations determine these loads. So how to know the real significance of heating and ventilation load assessment. Continue reading for an in-depth study.

If you have decided to install an HVAC system in a particular building, then an estimation of heating and ventilation loads should be done first. Based on the outcome you decide, the design and type of HVAC system to be installed. Only an accurate assessment of these loads ensures precise selection of the heating and ventilation system for that building. This way you can be sure that the HVAC system will function consistently and guarantee variable productivity, which is proportionate to the building’s heat load whenever the climate changes. Now the big question is how to assess heating and ventilation loads. Before you take out the calculator, here are some factors needed to be considered while assessing the load. 

  • Know the amount of heat which is spread through areas that are not directly heated.
  • Have an idea about the amount of heat needed to turn that air hot which has penetrated through door, window cracks or through entrances.
  • Know about heat which is needed to make that air hot that has entered the building mechanically as ventilation air.
  • Take into account various other loads.
 
In order to precisely determine the heating load, you should have an idea of the constant average temperature during night time of the winter season. Also, take into consideration constant supply of heat, if any, is present all the time. Quantity of heat which the building accumulates along with energy of cooling equipments has to be considered for specific design calculations.

It always helps if you have ideas about how to do the estimation of heating loads. Few steps are discussed below.

  • Do conduct an assessment of weather conditions which usually prevail outside the building. For this, you should take into account temperature, humidity and wind’s speed.
  • What kind of indoor air temperature you desire to maintain.
  • Analyze general temperature of adjacent locations that are not heated.
  • Determine heat transmission coefficient.
  • Determine outside areas through which heat gets dispersed or rather wasted.
  • Take into account heat transference losses which happen through bricks, glass and the building base.
  • You should also calculate heat loss which happens through basement areas.
 
While calculating design and selecting the right HVAC system, structure of the building and for what purpose it is being used, should be assessed accurately.  Its exposure to wind, whether it is receiving direct sunlight, which part of the day this building is mostly used and its period of occupancy, all these factors play crucial roles too.

Thus to sum it up, if you want maximum energy and cost efficiency from the HVAC system, then do carry out thorough assessment of several design and environmental factors. Of course you can talk to an expert for helpful guidance in this regard.

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