HVAC Systems Encyclopedia

A comprehensive encyclopedia of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems

Technical Guides for HVAC Engineers

Technical Guides for HVAC Engineers

Professional-grade technical resources for HVAC design engineers. These guides provide in-depth coverage of fundamental calculation methods with mathematical rigor, worked examples, and practical applications based on ASHRAE standards and engineering principles.

What You’ll Find in Each Guide

  • Detailed mathematical formulas with derivations from first principles
  • Step-by-step worked examples with complete numerical solutions
  • Engineering tables and reference data for design calculations
  • Process diagrams using Mermaid flowcharts for visual clarity
  • Physical explanations of HVAC thermodynamic and fluid mechanic processes
  • Design considerations and industry best practices
  • Code compliance references to ASHRAE, IMC, and relevant standards

Learning Path Recommendations

Foundation Track (Start here if new to HVAC design):

  1. Heat Transfer Fundamentals
  2. Fluid Mechanics for HVAC
  3. Psychrometric Properties & Processes
  4. Thermodynamic Cycles

Design Application Track (Prerequisites: Foundation Track):

  1. Load Calculation Methodology
  2. Heating Load Calculations
  3. Cooling Load Calculations
  4. Duct Design Fundamentals

Advanced Systems Track (Prerequisites: Design Application Track):

  1. Hydronic System Design
  2. Variable Flow Control Design
  3. Energy Recovery Systems
  4. Building Pressurization Control

Available Technical Guides by Category

Core Fundamentals (7 Guides)

Foundational engineering principles essential for all HVAC calculations and system design.

Heat Transfer Fundamentals (Coming Soon) Conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer with thermal resistance calculations, heat exchanger effectiveness, and U-value determination.

Fluid Mechanics for HVAC (Coming Soon) Bernoulli’s equation, friction losses in pipes and ducts, Reynolds numbers, and flow regimes with practical sizing applications.

Thermodynamic Cycles (Coming Soon) Carnot, Rankine, and vapor compression refrigeration cycles with efficiency analysis, exergy concepts, and COP calculations.

Psychrometric Properties & Processes (Coming Soon) Heating, cooling, humidification, dehumidification, and mixing processes on the psychrometric chart with sensible heat ratio calculations.

Load Calculation Methodology (Coming Soon) ASHRAE heat balance method, diversity factors, safety margins, and load profile development for accurate system sizing.

Duct Design Fundamentals (Coming Soon) Equal friction, static regain, and T-method design approaches with fan selection and system pressure analysis.

Hydronic System Fundamentals (Coming Soon) Primary-secondary pumping, variable flow systems, differential pressure control, and hydraulic separation principles.

Heating Systems (5 Guides)

Equipment selection and sizing methods for heating applications across residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.

Boiler Selection & Sizing (Coming Soon) Fire-tube, water-tube, and condensing boiler types with efficiency calculations, turndown ratio analysis, and sequencing strategies.

Heat Pump Technology (Coming Soon) Air-source and ground-source heat pumps, COP and HSPF metrics, balance point analysis, and supplemental heating requirements.

Radiant Heating Design (Coming Soon) Floor, wall, and ceiling radiant systems with panel output calculations, tube spacing methods, and manifold design.

Combustion Analysis (Coming Soon) Stoichiometry, combustion efficiency calculations, flue gas analysis, and excess air determination for gas-fired equipment.

Heating Load Calculations (Coming Soon) Heat loss methodology, envelope analysis, infiltration calculations, and degree-day methods per ASHRAE Handbook.

Cooling & Refrigeration (6 Guides)

System design and performance analysis for air conditioning, chilled water, and refrigeration applications.

Cooling Load Calculations (Coming Soon) Heat gain methodology, CLTD/CLF procedures, radiant time series method, and internal load diversity.

Chiller Performance Analysis (Coming Soon) Efficiency metrics (kW/ton, COP, IPLV), part-load performance, condenser water optimization, and free cooling integration.

Refrigeration Cycle Design (Coming Soon) Compressor selection, evaporator and condenser sizing, superheat and subcooling control, and capacity modulation strategies.

Cooling Tower Performance (Coming Soon) Approach, range, and effectiveness calculations, fan and pump power optimization, and water treatment considerations.

Air Conditioning System Selection (Coming Soon) VRF vs chilled water vs DX system comparisons, application criteria, energy efficiency analysis, and life cycle cost considerations.

Dehumidification Strategies (Coming Soon) Cooling-based dehumidification, desiccant systems, subcooling coils, and humidity control sequences.

Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality (6 Guides)

Design calculations and filtration strategies for code-compliant ventilation and healthy indoor environments.

Ventilation Rate Calculations (Coming Soon) ASHRAE Standard 62.1 procedures, zone and system outdoor air calculations, and ventilation effectiveness factors.

Airflow Measurement & Balancing (Coming Soon) Pitot traverse methodology, flow hood techniques, duct traverse procedures, and TAB documentation requirements.

Duct Static Pressure Calculations (Coming Soon) Friction loss calculations, fitting equivalent lengths, total pressure drop analysis, and fan static pressure determination.

Fan Selection & Performance (Coming Soon) Fan laws, system curves, operating point determination, and variable speed drive application for energy optimization.

Air Filtration Design (Coming Soon) MERV ratings, pressure drop calculations, filter sizing, and service life estimation for particle and gaseous contaminant control.

Energy Recovery Systems (Coming Soon) Sensible and enthalpy wheels, effectiveness analysis, frost control strategies, and energy savings calculations.

Controls & Advanced Topics (6 Guides)

Control theory, automation strategies, and advanced system integration for optimized building performance.

HVAC Control Strategies (Coming Soon) PID control fundamentals, tuning procedures, reset schedules, and sequencing logic for efficient operation.

Variable Flow System Design (Coming Soon) VFD sizing, minimum flow requirements, pressure-independent control, and diversity factor application.

Building Pressurization Control (Coming Soon) Stairwell pressurization systems, laboratory exhaust control, and pressure cascade strategies for critical environments.

Energy Modeling Methodology (Coming Soon) Degree-day methods, bin analysis, calibrated simulation techniques, and energy code compliance modeling.

Commissioning Procedures (Coming Soon) Functional performance testing, TAB methodology, controls verification, and documentation requirements per ASHRAE Guideline 0.

Code Compliance Analysis (Coming Soon) International Mechanical Code, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 energy requirements, and ventilation code compliance strategies.

Additional Resources

Related Content Categories

Browse our comprehensive taxonomy of HVAC topics organized by discipline:

Reference Standards

These technical guides reference and comply with:

  • ASHRAE Handbook - Fundamentals, Systems & Equipment, Applications
  • ASHRAE Standards - 62.1, 62.2, 90.1, 55, 15, 170
  • International Mechanical Code (IMC) - Ventilation and mechanical system requirements
  • AHRI Standards - Equipment ratings and performance testing
  • SMACNA - Ductwork construction and testing standards

Authored by Evgeniy Gantman - HVAC Research Engineer & Technical Writer

All technical guides feature original content with formulas derived from ASHRAE standards and engineering first principles. Worked examples use US engineering units and real-world design scenarios for practical application.

Sections

Heat Transfer Fundamentals for HVAC Engineers

Comprehensive guide to conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer with thermal resistance calculations, U-values, and heat exchanger effectiveness for HVAC system design.

Psychrometric Fundamentals for HVAC Engineers

Comprehensive guide to moist air properties, psychrometric charts, and state point analysis for professional HVAC engineers. Includes formulas, worked examples, and practical applications.

Fluid Mechanics for HVAC Engineers

Bernoulli's equation, friction losses in pipes and ducts, Reynolds numbers, and flow regimes with practical sizing applications for air and water distribution systems.

Psychrometric Processes in HVAC Systems

Detailed analysis of HVAC psychrometric processes including sensible heating, sensible cooling, humidification, dehumidification, and air mixing with formulas and worked examples.

Thermodynamic Cycles for HVAC Engineers

Carnot, Rankine, and vapor compression refrigeration cycles with efficiency analysis, exergy concepts, and COP calculations for HVAC system performance evaluation.

Load Calculation Methodology for HVAC Engineers

ASHRAE heat balance method, diversity factors, safety margins, and load profile development for accurate HVAC system sizing and energy analysis.

Duct Design Fundamentals for HVAC Engineers

Equal friction, static regain, and T-method design approaches with fan selection and system pressure analysis for air distribution systems.

Hydronic System Fundamentals for HVAC Engineers

Primary-secondary pumping, variable flow systems, differential pressure control, and hydraulic separation principles for chilled and hot water distribution.

Boiler Selection & Sizing for HVAC Engineers

Fire-tube, water-tube, and condensing boiler types with efficiency calculations, turndown ratio analysis, and sequencing strategies for optimal performance.

Heat Pump Technology for HVAC Engineers

Air-source and ground-source heat pumps, COP and HSPF metrics, balance point analysis, and supplemental heating requirements for efficient space conditioning.

Radiant Heating Design for HVAC Engineers

Floor, wall, and ceiling radiant systems with panel output calculations, tube spacing methods, and manifold design for comfort and efficiency.

Combustion Analysis for HVAC Engineers

Stoichiometry, combustion efficiency calculations, flue gas analysis, and excess air determination for gas-fired HVAC equipment optimization.

Heating Load Calculations for HVAC Engineers

Heat loss methodology, envelope analysis, infiltration calculations, and degree-day methods per ASHRAE Handbook for accurate heating system sizing.

Cooling Load Calculations for HVAC Engineers

Heat gain methodology, CLTD/CLF procedures, radiant time series method, and internal load diversity for accurate cooling system sizing and energy analysis.

Chiller Performance Analysis for HVAC Engineers

Efficiency metrics (kW/ton, COP, IPLV), part-load performance, condenser water optimization, and free cooling integration for chilled water systems.

Heat Exchangers in HVAC Applications: Design, Selection & Performance Analysis

Comprehensive engineering guide to heat exchanger design for HVAC systems including LMTD and ε-NTU methods, effectiveness calculations, fouling analysis, and pressure drop sizing for shell-and-tube, plate, finned-tube, and plate-fin configurations.

Refrigeration Cycle Design for HVAC Engineers

Compressor selection, evaporator and condenser sizing, superheat and subcooling control, and capacity modulation strategies for refrigeration systems.

Cooling Tower Performance for HVAC Engineers

Approach, range, and effectiveness calculations, fan and pump power optimization, and water treatment considerations for evaporative cooling systems.

Air Conditioning System Selection for HVAC Engineers

VRF vs chilled water vs DX system comparisons, application criteria, energy efficiency analysis, and life cycle cost considerations for optimal AC system selection.

Dehumidification Strategies for HVAC Engineers

Cooling-based dehumidification, desiccant systems, subcooling coils, and humidity control sequences for maintaining comfort and IAQ.

Ventilation Rate Calculations for HVAC Engineers

ASHRAE Standard 62.1 procedures, zone and system outdoor air calculations, and ventilation effectiveness factors for code-compliant design.

Airflow Measurement & Balancing for HVAC Engineers

Pitot traverse methodology, flow hood techniques, duct traverse procedures, and TAB documentation requirements for HVAC system commissioning.

Duct Static Pressure Calculations for HVAC Engineers

Friction loss calculations, fitting equivalent lengths, total pressure drop analysis, and fan static pressure determination for duct system design.

Fan Selection & Performance for HVAC Engineers

Fan laws, system curves, operating point determination, and variable speed drive application for energy optimization and proper fan sizing.

Air Filtration Design for HVAC Engineers

MERV ratings, pressure drop calculations, filter sizing, and service life estimation for particle and gaseous contaminant control.

Energy Recovery Systems for HVAC Engineers

Sensible and enthalpy wheels, effectiveness analysis, frost control strategies, and energy savings calculations for ventilation energy recovery.

HVAC Control Strategies for Engineers

PID control theory, tuning procedures, reset schedules, sequences of operation, and advanced control strategies for optimal HVAC system performance.

Variable Flow System Design for HVAC Engineers

VFD sizing, minimum flow requirements, pressure-independent control, diversity factors, and energy optimization for variable flow HVAC systems.

Building Pressurization Control for HVAC Engineers

Pressure control strategies, stairwell pressurization, laboratory exhaust, makeup air calculations, and relief air sizing for building pressure management.

Energy Modeling Methodology for HVAC Engineers

Degree-day method, bin method, detailed simulation, and calibration procedures for HVAC energy analysis and consumption prediction.

Commissioning Procedures for HVAC Engineers

Functional performance testing, TAB verification, control sequence validation, and commissioning documentation for new and existing HVAC systems.

Code Compliance Analysis for HVAC Engineers

IMC, IBC, ASHRAE 90.1, and ASHRAE 62.1 compliance verification procedures, prescriptive and performance paths, and documentation requirements.

Material Thermal Properties for HVAC Engineers

Comprehensive reference tables of thermal conductivity, specific heat, density, and thermal diffusivity for building materials, insulation, and HVAC components.

Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Analysis

Thermodynamic analysis of vapor compression cycle, P-h diagrams, COP calculations, superheat and subcooling control, and performance optimization for refrigeration systems.

Refrigerant Selection & Properties for HVAC Engineers

Comprehensive guide to refrigerant classifications, thermophysical properties, environmental impact (GWP, ODP), safety groups, and selection criteria for HVAC and refrigeration applications.

Healthcare HVAC Design for Operating Rooms & Critical Care

Comprehensive guide to healthcare HVAC design including operating room ventilation, isolation room pressure control, ACH requirements, filtration standards, and ASHRAE 170 compliance.

Compressor Selection & Performance Analysis for Refrigeration Systems

Comprehensive guide to refrigeration compressor types, selection criteria, volumetric efficiency, isentropic efficiency, capacity modulation, and performance mapping.

Cleanroom Design & ISO Classification for HVAC Engineers

Comprehensive guide to cleanroom HVAC design including ISO 14644 classifications, airflow patterns, HEPA filtration, pressure cascades, and particle control strategies.

Refrigeration Load Calculations for Cold Storage & Food Processing

Comprehensive methodology for calculating refrigeration loads including transmission, product cooling, respiration, infiltration, equipment, and safety factors for cold storage design.

Building Envelope Heat Transfer & Thermal Performance Analysis

Engineering guide to heat transfer through walls, roofs, floors, windows, and thermal bridges including U-value calculations, thermal mass effects, and moisture control.

Data Center Cooling Strategies & Thermal Management

Engineering guide to data center HVAC design including CRAC/CRAH units, hot/cold aisle containment, liquid cooling, economizers, and redundancy configurations for mission-critical facilities.

Commercial Kitchen Ventilation & Exhaust Hood Design

Engineering guide to commercial kitchen HVAC including Type I/II hood design, exhaust rates, makeup air requirements, grease control, and demand-controlled kitchen ventilation systems.

Exergy Analysis & Thermodynamic Optimization for HVAC Systems

Engineering guide to exergy (available energy) analysis for identifying irreversibilities, optimizing HVAC system efficiency, and minimizing thermodynamic losses in chillers, boilers, and heat exchangers.

Food Storage Requirements & Temperature Tables for Cold Storage Design

Comprehensive reference tables for refrigerated and frozen food storage including optimal temperatures, humidity ranges, storage life, respiration rates, and freezing points for fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and seafood.