HVAC Design Calculations

Green Buildings and HVAC Design

Energy efficiency and sustainable design are critical components of today’s smart, green buildings. This practical course covers the fundamental calculations required for the design of building HVAC systems. Topics include cooling and heating load calculations, psychometric analysis, and HVAC energy usage. This fast‐paced course focuses on practical methods of HVAC calculation per governing codes and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE) guidelines. Emphasis is placed on accepted rule‐of‐thumb checks in HVAC load calculations and energy analysis, including a review of available computer programs.

This is a practical course designed for the professional advancement of individuals involved with the design of HVAC systems. Practical examples and common methods for each subject will be discussed. The course emphasizes critical “Do’s and Don’ts” and accepted rule-of-thumb checks in HVAC load calculation.  This will be a valuable class for students planning to take the Mechanical Professional Engineering (PE) Exam.

Course Highlights:

• HVAC Heating and Cooling Load Calculations
• Psychometric Analysis
• Energy Analysis
• Indoor Air Quality
• Natural Ventilation
• Hybrid Natural Ventilation
• Mechanical Ventilation
• Energy Saving Payback Analysis
• Basics of Net-Zero Energy Buildings

Course Learning Outcomes:

• Define HVAC heating and cooling load calculation
• Apply fundamental concepts of psychometrics
• Perform HVAC design calculations utilizing the psychometric chart
• Differentiate between dry bulb, wet bulb, and relative humidity
• Calculate properly sized air-cooling units for a given space
• Calculate the CFM required for air handling and fan coil units
• Calculate properly sized equipment for mechanical ventilation
• Explore natural ventilation and hybrid ventilation methods for smart, green buildings

Course Textbook (Optional):  "The Fundamentals of HVAC Direct Digital Control, Practical Applications and Design" 4th ed. 2022 by Frank Shadpour. Available through Hacienda Blue Publishing.

Optional Reading: ASHRAE 2016 Handbook - HVAC Systems and Equipment (ISBN-13: 978-1939200273) and 2015 ASHRAE Handbook - HVAC Applications (ISBN-13: 978-1936504930) 

Course Typically Offered: Live-Online. Please check the course matrix as schedule fluctuates.

Prerequisite: Students should have a desire to learn concepts in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC).

Next Step: Upon completion of this course, consider taking other courses in the HVAC Systems Design and Control certificate program.

Contact: For more information about this course, please email unexengr@ucsd.edu.