Introduction to HVAC

Systems
April 1 2nd 2 0 2 5

Ts Dr Mohd Al-Fatihhi | Senior Lecturer/Specialist | [email protected]

Phone: 01173729328 / 017-7619238

ADVANCED FACILITIES ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CENTER

PLANT ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
UNIKL MITEC
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Advanced Facilities Engineering Technology (AFET) Center is an

academic research center at the UniKL Malaysian Institute of Industrial
Technology (UniKL MITEC) dedicated to supporting industrial needs in
technical, facilities and advance knowledge and solutions for a
sustainable future by focusing on areas like renewable energy, energy
efficiency, and sustainable materials, while also fostering collaboration
and knowledge dissemination.
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HVACR and
Photography and microscopy lab
piping lab
Electrochemical and
Corrosion lab

Combustion and Pollution

lab

Incubation samples

Classroom and Meeting room

Distillation and Hydrotreater Plant Steam and Gas Turbine Lab
Average Energy
Consumption in
Commercial Buildings
Average energy consumption in
Average Energy commercial buildings
Consumption in Other
Commercial Buildings 17%

HVACR
30%

▶ HVAC is responsible for a

significant share of the energy Office Equipment
8%

use
▶ 25% - 30% (or more) of the total Water Heating
5%
energy consumed in many building Cooking
types 1%

▶ Many facilities have HVAC systems

that were installed at times when
energy efficiency was not a priority
Lighting
39%
What is an HVAC system?
▶ The system of motors, ducts, fans, controls, and heat
exchange units which delivers heated or cooled air to
various parts of a facility.
▶ The purpose of the HVAC system is to add or
remove heat and moisture in order to maintain the
desired environmental conditions.
▶ The HVAC also provides ventilation and air
movement even when no heating or cooling load is
present.

Source: AEE, CEM training

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Safety Precautions
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When Working Around Air Handling Units

▶ Be aware that some mechanical rooms can
■ Always follow your be small and your mobility may be
facility’s safety limited.
procedures
▶ Many mechanical rooms have low pipes or
■ Have a facility or HVAC
ductwork inside - always watch your
representative on hand
head.
■ Always carry a flashlight
and your cell phone ▶ Many mechanical rooms have plumbing
running along the floor - watch your step.
■ Leave everything in the
unit as you found it ▶ Mechanical rooms can be noisy – wear
proper hearing protection if necessary.
When Working Around Air Handling Units
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Do not touch any part of the unit you are not familiar with.
■ Keep your hands and
feet away from any If you have the authority to enter the unit:
moving parts ▶ Watch your head when entering or exiting any unit.
▶ Ensure the units are turned off before opening any access
■ Do not leave any foreign door.
objects inside the units ▶ Be aware of any screws or nails that can rip clothing or cause
harm.
■ Do not attempt to make ▶ When opening any access door be sure not to wear any loose
any changes to the units or dangling items (i.e. ties, lanyards, scarves, necklaces etc.)
as these items may be pulled downstream by the air or
on your own. become entangled in the fan or motor.
▶ Be careful when working in or around a humidifier as the lines
■ Report any issues to a may be hot and can burn very quickly.
facilities representative ▶ If the system is not shut down, there is the possibility that the
as soon as possible. humidifier may operate while you are working near it.
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Standard
Components of
HVAC
Air Handling System
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Air Handling System

Simple air-handling unit

Codes and Standards
• Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended
Practice (ACGIH)
• Duct Design (SMACNA) and HVAC Duct
Construction Standards (SMACNA)
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 100-2015, Energy
Conservation in Existing Buildings. ASHRAE 90.4.
• NFPA. 2002. NFPA 90A-2002, Installation of Air
Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. NFPA 75
and 76 2013: Fire Protection Standards for Data
Centers.
Theory of Air Flow in Ducts
• Bernoulli’s equation, which is a specialized form of the first law
energy balance, can be applied for the analysis of air flow in
ducts.
SP1 + VP1 + HP1 + ΔPfan = SP2 + VP2 + HP2 + PL2
States (1) and (2) are points in the ducted air stream
SP = static pressure — pressure normal to flow
VP = velocity pressure — pressure arising from flow
velocity
HP = potential pressure — pressure arising from columns
of air occurring because of a height change (normally a
small effect)
ΔP = total pressure increase across fan (if present)
PL = pressure loss due to friction
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Air Handling System

Ducted air flow

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Air Handling System

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Dampers
Dampers are the metal doors
inside ductwork that help
regulate air flow.
▶ Can be manually controlled
▶ Can be controlled by motors
or actuators that open or
close them.
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Outside Air
• Untreated air that is brought into a system from the
outside to make up for any air lost to exhaust or exfiltration.
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▶ The location of the facilities

outside air intake may play
a major factor

▶ Is the intake too close to a

major source of pollution
▶ Bus stop
▶ Smoker station
▶ Building exhaust
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Air Handling System

A: Dampers

30%
80˚ 68% 74˚DP
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Filters

▶ Designed to trap pollutants, dirt, dust,

molds, bacteria etc., and to prevent
these materials from entering the
system and contaminating the
environment.
▶ Filters can be made from felt, cloth,
cellulose, fiberglass, foam, paper,
silk, etc., and can filter out varying
levels of contaminants based on their
construction.
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Standard Air Filters

Merv Rating Classification Arrestance

US ASHRAE
52.2
European Union
EN779 Class
Typical Controlled
Contaminant
Application

< 65% MERV 1 G1 Am < 65%

Chart 65-70% MERV 2

Particle bigger than 10.0 µm
• Pollen
• Spanish moss
• Dust mites
• Minimal filtration
• Residential
70-75% MERV 3 G2 65% ≤ Am < 80% • Window A/C units
• Sanding dust
• Spray paint dust
75-80% MERV 4
PRE Filter
(G Class) 80-85% MERV 5 Particle size within 3.0 µm-10.0 µm
G3 80% ≤ Am < 90% • Mold
85-90% MERV 6 • Commercial buildings
• Spores
• Hair spray • Better residential
• Industrial workplace
25-30% MERV 7 • Cement dust
• Paint booth inlet
G4 90% ≤ Am • Snuff
30-35% MERV 8 • Powdered milk

40-45% MERV 9 Particle size within 1.0 µm-3.0 µm

F5 40% ≤ Em < 60% • Lead dust
50-55% MERV 10 • Superior residential
• Milled %our
• Better commercial
• Coal dust
buildings
60-65% MERV 11 • Auto emissions
• Hospital laboratories
F6 60% ≤ Em < 80% • Nebulizer drop
70-75% MERV 12 • Welding fumes
MEDIUM Filter
(F Class)
80-85% MERV 13 F7 80% ≤ Em < 90% Particle size within .3 µm-1.0 µm
• All bacteria • General surgery
90-95% MERV 14 F8 90% ≤ Em < 95% • Cooking oil • Hospital inpatient care
• Most smoke • Smoking lounges
• Copier toner • Superior commercial
MERV 15
> 95% F9 95% ≤ Em • Most face powder buildings
MERV 16 • Most paint pigments

Am: Average arrestance efficiency for coarse filters Em: Average efficiency for fine filters
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Air Handling System

A: Dampers

B: Filters 30% 80˚

68% 74˚DP
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Cooling Coils
Also known as evaporator coil
Connected to a source of cooled
refrigerant, i.e. chiller, cooling
tower, etc., these coils are used
to absorb heat from the air that
passes over them.

Depending on the temperature of

the water in the coil, they can
cause condensation to occur when
air with a higher dew point passes
over it.
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Refrigerant/Coolant

▶ Direct Expansion (DX)

▶ Refrigerant
▶ Chilled water
▶ Chilled Water
▶ Chilled water/glycol
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Difference in types of cooling

▶ DX
▶ HCFC gases
▶ Multiple types of refrigerant
▶ Each type is capable of achieving a different dew point
▶ Dew point using refrigerant can be very low, but can get expensive
▶ Requires a compressor

▶ Chilled Water
▶ Can get as low as 34°F
▶ Can be mixed with glycol to achieve lower temps
▶ Requires a pump
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Air Handling System

A: Dampers

B: Filters

C: Cooling Coil
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Air Handling System

A: Dampers

B: Filters

C: Cooling Coil

D: Heating Coil
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Heating Coils/Reheats
Connected to a heat source, i.e.
boiler or electric heaters, these
coils are used to reject heat to the
air that passes over them.
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Air Handling System

A: Dampers

B: Filters

C: Cooling Coil

D: Heating Coil

E: Humidifier
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Humidifiers
A mechanism used to add
moisture to the air.

In HVAC settings there are four

dominant methods for raising the
moisture content of air.
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Air Handling System

A: Dampers

B: Filters

C: Cooling Coil

D: Heating Coil

E: Humidifier

F: Supply Fan
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Fans
• Fans are motor driven
assemblies found inside of
the air handling systems that
help move air through the
system.
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Fans
• Fans are motor driven
assemblies found inside of
the air handling systems that
help move air through the
system.

Centrifugal and axial fan components

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Fan motor
• The motor drives the
fan

• This item can add up to

1°F of heat to the
passing air
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Typical fan performance curve

𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝐶 ∙ 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤 ∙ ∆𝑃/𝑓𝑎𝑛 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟
C = system constant
• The motor drives the ∆𝑃= air pressure rise
 = efficiency
fan

• This item can add up to

1°F of heat to the
passing air

Fan Law:
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Example:
• A centrifugal fan delivers 10 cfm at a static pressure of 1.0 inch when
operating at a speed of 600 rpm and requires an input of 3 hp. If
12,000 cfm is desired in the same installation, what will be the new fan
speed (rpm), static pressure (SP), and horsepower (bhp) input?
12,000
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑅𝑃𝑀 = 600 × = 600 × 1.2 = 720
10,000

2
720
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑆𝑃 = × 1 = 1.44 × 1 = 1.44
600

3
720
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝐵𝐻𝑃 = × 3 = 1.7 × 3 = 5.1
600
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Example:
• When the performance data for air-handling equipment are given in
feet per minute (fpm), conversion to cubic feet per minute can be
made by multiplying the fpm by the duct area:

𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 1000 𝑓𝑝𝑚

𝐷𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 = 8 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ × 20 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ = 160 𝑠𝑞. 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
𝐷𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 160 ÷ 144 = 1.11 𝑠𝑞. 𝑓𝑡
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 1000 𝑓𝑝𝑚 × 1.11 𝑠𝑞. 𝑓𝑡 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒇𝒎
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Example:
• When the performance data for air-handling equipment are given in
feet per minute (fpm), conversion to cubic feet per minute can be
made by multiplying the fpm by the duct area:

𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 1000 𝑓𝑝𝑚

𝐷𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 = 8 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ × 20 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ = 160 𝑠𝑞. 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
𝐷𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 160 ÷ 144 = 1.11 𝑠𝑞. 𝑓𝑡
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 1000 𝑓𝑝𝑚 × 1.11 𝑠𝑞. 𝑓𝑡 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒇𝒎
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Additional
Components
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Additional Components
Turning vanes
Stationary metal devices inside duct work
that are used to direct the flow of air and
reduce turbulence in the ductwork
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Additional Components

Air mixer
Metal devices in an air handling unit
that are used to mix or blend the
passing air.

Usually located after the outside air

intake or after a bypass in the
system.
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Building Management Systems

The computer based control system

that can automate the HVAC,
lighting, security, and life safety
systems of a facility.

BMS, BAS, EMS, BCS, BAC

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Controls/Stats
Equipment used to control or regulate an HVAC system
▶ Thermostat – An instrument used to regulate the
temperature in a space. The device can activate the
HVAC system to operate.
▶ Humidistat – An instrument used to regulate the relative
humidity in a space. The device can activate the HVAC
system to operate. Primarily the cooling coil and the
humidifier or dehumidifier.
▶ Thermidistat – An instrument that is used to measure
temperature and humidity in a space. The device can
activate the HVAC system to operate.
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Key Vocabulary
▶ Set point - the temperature point at which a
thermostat has been set

▶ Response time – time required for the control

point to reach a new set point following a
change

▶ Overshoot – the amount the control goes beyond

a set point following a change in load or set point

▶ Dead Band – the temperature range that utilizes

no heating or cooling
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VFD
Variable Frequency Drive
(VFD) or Variable Speed
Drive (VSD)
A digital control device used
on air handling units to
control the speed and torque
of the supply, return, or relief
fans in the unit.
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Desiccant Air Dryer

A device that uses hygroscopic
material to remove moisture from air
that is drawn into it.
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Open plenum design

▶ Air is returned to the HVAC system
through the ceiling of the space without
the use of ductwork.

▶ Not recommended for collection spaces

▶ The air can change temperature and

moisture conditions due to
unconditioned or untreated air that it may
mix with in the ceiling
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Economizing
▶ An economizer is a part of a
building’s cooling system that
uses cool outdoor air to cool
the building instead of
operating the air conditioning
components
▶ This is typically employed
when the outside air is
cooler than the cooling set
point temperature.
Types of HVAC
Systems
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DX System (Air Conditioning System)

A: Condensation Coil
B: Fans

C: Compressor
D: Expansion Valve
E: Evaporator Coil
F: Thermostat
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▶ Types of units that use direct expansion

Window AC units Packaged or Cabinet units

Split Systems
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Single Zone Air Handling System

A: Dampers
B: Filters
C: Cooling Coil
D: Heating Coil
E: Humidifier
F: Supply fan
G: Diffusers

H: Return Fan
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Multizone Air Handling System

A: Dampers
B: Filters
C: Cooling Coil
D: Heating Coil
E: Humidifier
F: Supply fan
G: Diffusers

H: Return Fan
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Dual Duct Air Handling Unit

A: Filters
B: Supply Fan

C: Cooling Coil

D: Heating Coil

E: Humidification Coil

F: Mixing Box

G: Diffuser
H: Outside Air

J: Return Fan
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Forced Air Heating and Cooling

A: Exhaust Fan
B: Compressor
C: Condenser Coil
D: Expansion Valve
E: Evaporator Coil
F: Heating Coil
G: Blower Fan
H: Filter
I: Supply Duct
J: Vent
K: Outside Air Intake
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Induction Heating Unit

A: Thermostat
B: Heating Coil

C: Cooling Coil

D: Fan

E: Return Air
F: Pre-treated Air
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Desiccant Air Dryer

A: Heating Coil

B: Desiccant Wheel

C: Exhaust Fan

D: Supply Fan

E: Fan Motor
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Variable Air Volume (VAV) System

▶ Temperature is controlled by
controlling the volume of air that is
discharged into the space

▶ Energy efficient and widely used

▶ Usually combined with VSD on the

fan
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Dedicated Outside Air Unit

▶ Pretreats outside air

before sending it to other
AHUs
▶ Designed to remove latent
loads
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HVAC Control System

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Control Drawings
• Electrical Motors
• Lighting Systems
• Electrical Distribution Systems
• Power Quality
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Sensors
• Electrical Motors
• Lighting Systems
• Electrical Distribution Systems
• Power Quality
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Typical HVAC
Pitfalls
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Blocking supply and return vents

▶ Boxes stacked too high or

materials, blocking air vents
▶ Dampers on vents closed
restricting air flow
▶ All supply or return vents should
have at least 18 inches of
clearance around them
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Dirty/ Missing Filters

• ▶ Filters should be routinely
changed or cleaned
• ▶ Fouled or dirty filters should be
replaced when they are found
• ▶ An HVAC system should never
operate without filters in place
• ▶ Upsizing the filter my result in low
airflow if the system was not designed
to use that filter
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Broken Dampers

▶ Broken dampers can restrict

airflow through a system
▶ They can stop air from entering
a room or space
▶ A seized damper can allow too
much air into a space if it has
seized in the open positon
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Unbalanced System
▶ When a building or room is
designed the HVAC system is
balanced to ensure that a designed
amount of air flows to each space
▶ Over time as a building functions
adjustments to the system are
made and it can become
unbalanced
▶ If there are questions about airflow
the balanced of the system should
be checked
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Sensors not calibrated

▶ Sensors on an HVAC system
should be calibrated at least
once every 5-7 years
▶ Poor sensor calibration can lead
to temp and RH issues in a
space
▶ Sensor calibration can be
compared to data from a new
logger
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What You
Can Do
Load calculation and energy modeling
software
Case Study: Improving Data Center Cooling
Systems
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
can help HVAC engineers and data
center designers to model a virtual data
center and investigate the temperature,
airflow velocity and pressure fields in a
fast and efficient way.

• The numerical analysis presents both

3D visual contouring and quantitative
data that is highly detailed yet easy to
comprehend.
Case Study: Improving Data Center Cooling
Systems - CFD Simulation Results

The maximum velocity for this baseline design is at 0.44 m/s with a
temperature range of 28.6 to 49.7 degrees Celsius.
Case Study: Improving Data Center Cooling
Systems - CFD Simulation Results

The maximum velocity for this baseline design is at 0.44 m/s with a
temperature range of 28.6 to 49.7 degrees Celsius.
The average temperature
calculated for each rack is
lower for the improved design
by about 23%
This results in a cleaner overall flow
pattern compared to what was seen in
the previous design. It is also evident
that the new design
reduces temperature stratification.
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What You Can Do

• ▶ Monitor the space
• ▶ Collect temp and RH data
• ▶ Conduct regular walkthroughs
• ▶ Communicate and collaborate with facilities staff
• ▶ Report concerns as soon as they arise
• ▶ Don’t block vents
• ▶ Understand risks
• ▶ Establish reasonable set points
Essential HVAC Measuring Instruments for
System Analysis

Temperature sensors
Energy meters

Temperature switches

Digital pressure switches and sensors

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How to Manage Outside Air

▶ On demand ventilation or demand
controlled ventilation
▶ Sensors are used to measure the
concentration of pollutants in the air and
adjust the amount of outside air used by a
the HVAC system to compensate.

Controls ventilation rate to maintain a specific

indoor air quality. Normally based off of CO2
levels
▶ Will work for human occupied spaces
▶ Helps keep CO2 and other pollutant levels low
▶ Helps reduce energy use
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Contaminated Outside Air

▶ If the event is short term
▶ Turn the system off if possible
▶ Reduce outside air consumption

▶ If the event is long term

▶ If possible close the outside air
dampers
▶ If possible add filters MERV 13 or
higher
▶ Possibly add gas phase filters –
same hindrance to air flow as
MERV filters
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Support Continual Maintenance

▶ Ensure that all belts are tight and in good shape
and bearings are lubricated
▶ Ensure that all filters are cleaned and replaced
regularly
▶ Ensure that all heat transferring surfaces (heating
and cooling coils) are clean
▶ Ensure that the system is balanced
▶ Keep all humidification equipment in working
order
▶ Keep all faults and alarms working properly
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Benefits of Commissioning
▶ Buildings and systems are functioning as
intended
▶ Identify defects before they go out of warranty
▶ Reduced energy consumption, costs and
environmental impact
▶ Facility will have thorough documentation for
ongoing operations and for any future facility
changes
▶ Achieve the best quality preservation
environment from the system
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Work With Us
AFET offers a range of remote and onsite preservation consulting services based
on 10+ years of applied research

Sustainability and Data Analysis Technical Assessment

Resilience Services

Mechanical System Mechanical System Preservation

Analysis and Optimization Design Consultation Commissioning
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Grants/Funding

▶ FRGS under KPT

▶ UERGS under UniKL
▶ DPIM under MARA
▶ TORAY Grants
▶ STRG Short term research grant
▶ Prototype and TRL grants
▶ PRGS, MOSTI Ted 1, MOSTI Ted 2
References
• W. V. Heddeghem et al., Trends in worldwide ICT
electricity consumption from 2007 to 2012, Comput.
Commun., vol. 50, pp. 64–76, Sep. 2014
• Top 10 energy-saving tips for a greener data center,
Info-Tech Research Group, London, ON, Canada,
Apr. 2010,
http://static.infotech.com/downloads/samples/07041
1_premium_oo_greendc_top_10.pdf
• ASHRAE Standard 90.4-2016 – Energy Standard
for Data Centers,
https://www.techstreet.com/ashrae/standards/ashra
e-90-4-2016
Thank you!
April 12nd & 13rd 2 0 2 5

Ts Dr Mohd Al-Fatihhi | Senior Lecturer/Specialist | [email protected]

Phone: 01173729328 / 017-7619238

ADVANCED FACILITIES ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CENTER

PLANT ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
UNIKL MITEC