The building envelope's design influences comfort in the way it transmits heat to surfaces and slowly changes air temperature. Air and surface temperatures can often be controlled by passive design techniques. Air motion and air humidity contribute to comfortable cooling. Access to outdoor air improves air quality as well as provides daylight, a view, and solar heat on cold days.
In the preface to the ninth edition of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings, the authors explain how the perspective of engineers has changed:
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"Buildings today contribute to negative global consequences of the future, and our approach to mechanical and electrical systems must consider how best to avoid environmental impacts.…"
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“We have moved from systems that centralize all sources of heating, cooling, water, and electricity toward those that encourage more localized production and control."
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Define passive solar-heating system and active solar heating systems.
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Identify the characteristics of the three types of passive solar heating types.
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Identify key events in the history of heating systems and summarize the use of building heating fuels.
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Explain the importance of energy conservation.
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Recall the characteristics of the various heating systems
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Distinguish between the characteristics of radiant-heated floors, radiant-heated ceilings, and electrical-resistance heaters.
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Identify key events in the history of warm air heaters.
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Identify key events in the history of cooling systems and uses of air conditioning energy.
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Provide design strategies for keeping cool, including equipment that should be used to effectively remain cool.
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Define what an HVAC system is, including its characteristics, and list the different HVAC zones and system types.
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List the three stages of the HVAC Design Process.
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Compare and contrast local HVAC systems to central HVAC systems.