Course Topics
Heating Design Load Calculation: • Heating load calculations • Natural and mechanical ventilation • User profiles and operation schedules • Occupant comfort and health Energy Balance of a Building: • Preparation of a building's energy balance • Heat losses due to transmission and ventilation • Effects of solar radiation • Heat gains • HVAC systems efficiency • Basics of energy performance evaluation and certification Domestic Hot Water System: • Energy needs • System design and integration HVAC Systems: • Design of heating, cooling, ventilation, and air conditioning systems • Hydronics, all-air, and mixed air/water systems • Distribution networks (piping and air ducts) • Terminal units and heat recovery equipment • Equipment for heating and cooling, including boilers, unitary air conditioners, water chillers, storage tanks, and circulation pumps • Renewable energy equipment such as thermal solar panels and heat pumps • Equipment operating curves and partial load operation • Safety devices and an introduction to safety standards.

Teaching format
Class lectures will be conducted using a combination of blackboard instruction and slide presentations, supplemented by design exercises utilizing spreadsheets and building simulation software (e.g., EnergyPlus, Trnsys). All lecture materials will be made available for students to download via Teams. In addition to attending classes, students will be required to work in teams to prepare a report on the design, sizing, and performance evaluation of a basic HVAC system.

Educational objectives
Knowledge and understanding: By the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. Master key concepts related to heating and cooling loads and the overall energy performance of buildings. 2. Understand the operation and functionality of various HVAC systems. 3. Acquire knowledge on the content of the main technical standards on the topics currently in force. Applying Knowledge and Understanding: • Apply the learned concepts to the practical design and implementation of HVAC systems. Making Judgments: • Assess the heating and cooling loads of buildings, evaluate HVAC system performance, and analyze the energy usage of buildings. Communication Skills: • Effectively convey engineering concepts using technical drawings and reports. Learning Skills: • Self-train and stay current with evolving technical standards and market innovations.

Assessment
The evaluation comprises two components: • Group project: this involves sizing an HVAC system and calculating its energy efficiency and indoor comfort performance. • Individual oral examination: in this segment, the student will discuss his/her design choices and demonstrate his/her theoretical understanding of HVAC systems. - Formative assessment: Development of the team project: during the course; ILOs assessed: 2, 3, 5. - Summative assessment: 50% oral exam, theory: 2 or 3 open-end questions; ILOs assessed: 1,2,3,4; 50% project work presentation: Presentation and discussion (30 minutes); ILOs assessed: 3,4,5,6,7,8.

Evaluation criteria
The coursework will be assessed as follows: • HVAC system project work: 50% • Final oral examination: 50% Completion of the project work is a prerequisite for taking the oral examination.

Required readings

• EN ISO 12831 and other relevant EN ISO standards (especially the EN ISO 52000 family)
• Notes taken during the lessons
• W. T. Grondzik. "Air-Conditioning System Design Manual" 2nd ed-, ASHRAE/Butterworth, 2007
• J.W. Mitchell and J.E. Braun "Principles of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning in Buildings" Wiley 2013

Supplementary readings

• ASHRAE, HANDBOOK - Vol. 1-4 ed. ASHRAE 2017-2020 (or other recent editions).
• G.F. Hundry, A.R. Trott, and T.C. Welch. "Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps" 5th ed, Butterworth-Heinemann. 2016
• I. Beausoleil-Morrison "Fundamentals of Building Performance Simulation" Routledge. 2021
• L. Socal and B. Grassi. "Compendium of hydraulics for heating technicians". IVAR 2018
• R. McDowall. "Fundamentals of HVAC systems". ASHRAE/Elsevier 2007
• R. Montgomery and R. McDowall. "Fundamentals of HVAC Control Systems". ASHRAE/Elsevier 2007

Further information
Connections with other courses: The course “Building HVAC Systems” is strictly integrated with the course “Advanced Applications of Building Physics” and presents connections also with the course "Special Issues of Building Physics" and the module "Solar Energy Systems" part of the course "Solar Energy and Smart Water Systems". Professional applications of the covered topics: The topics presented in this course can be applied in all those professional activities involving the design and the re-design of the building system, such as those performed in building engineering offices and companies, and can be of particular interest in the framework of building voluntary rating systems and minimum environmental criteria for buildings.