Lesson 3 – HVAC and Ducts, Part 2 (Space Conditioning Principles)

Lesson Overview
Your home’s overall performance – its energy costs, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, moisture control,
combustion safety – is based on the HVAC system as a whole. This second of two HVAC lessons provides an
introduction to various types of heating and air conditioning systems, system controls, duct design and
installation, and air filtration. In addition, the specific factors which control interior comfort are discussed.

Lesson Outline
1. Lesson 1 Overview
a. HVAC components
b. HVAC sizing
c. HVAC as a component of the “house as a system”
d. HVAC system benefits
2. Types of Heating Equipment
a. Gas furnaces
• Furnace efficiencies and HSPF ratings
• Combustion air
• Make-up air
b. Hydronic heaters
• Gas/oil boilers as an energy source
• Solar collectors as an energy source
• Heat distribution with room radiators
• Heat distribution with in-floor tubing
c. Gas fireplaces
• Proper venting and make-up air
d. Electric heat pumps
• Heat pump efficiences and SEER ratings
• Air source with backup heat strips
• Geothermal (or ground source)
e. Electric baseboard heat
f. Wood stoves
• Wood fired and pellet
• Chimneys
3. Types of Cooling Equipment
a. Electric heat pump
• dehumidification
b. Electric room units
c. Evaporative cooling
d. Ceiling fans
e. Whole-house fans and open windows
• Ideal and non-ideal climates
f. Radiant cooling
4. Duct Systems
a. Duct materials
b. Duct layout and location
• Supply registers and return plenum
• Manual D
c. Duct installation
• Proper and improper installations
• Proper and improper duct sealing methods
• Testing to verify sealed ducts
d. Duct leakage and building the “house as a system”
• Concept of building envelope pressurization
 • Consequences of envelope de-pressurization
1. Pollutant infiltration
2. Moisture infiltration
3. Condensation leading to decreasing insulation effectiveness, mold growth and
associated health issues, decreased durability of building materials
• Ducts located in conditioned vs. unconditioned spaces
5. HVAC controls
a. Programmable thermostats
b. Humidistats
c. Zoning
d. Cross-ventilation
6. Factors Affecting Occupant Comfort
a. Air temperature
b. Mean radiant temperature
c. Relative humidity
d. Air movement

Supporting Reading
CBM pg 265-275 (Ch. 17: Principles of Space Conditioning)
GBG pg 63-71 (Heating and Air Conditioning Equipment)

Supporting Videos (Internet)

Best Of Building Science Online Training: HVAC and Ducts

Supporting Documents (from Schedule)

• Designing and Testing Forced-Air Systems (JLC)
• “Geothermal Journal” from waterfurnace.com (Geothermal Heat Pumps)
• “Consumers Guide to Evaporative Coolers” from US DOE, EERE
• “Pressure Testing Ductwork”, Mike Uniacke, JLC, April 2003.
• Energy Star Qualified Homes – National Performance Path Requirements
• Energy Star Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist
• Energy Star Indoor Air Package Verification Checklist