Check out Motor Control, Precision and efficiency are driving ECM motors into a new realm of fan arrays and large air handling designs in September Issue.
Historically used in smaller-load residential settings, electronically commutated mo-tor (ECM) technology is making the leap thanks to recent improvements and in-creased awareness among engineers. Start with the basics, proceed to advantages and caveats, and consider the ways ECM designs can streamline the economics of air movement.
According to the United States Department of Energy, motors in homes and commercial buildings consume more than one-third of all the electricity used in these buildings.
The particular charms of panels, chilled beams, and related options seem to be at-tracting more attention from designers and owners these days. Design, installation, and even architectural considerations can earn a hard look at radiant for a surpris-ing number of applications.
Radiant HVAC — what is it? Heating is done in three ways in buildings — convection, conduction, and radiation. Heating and cooling with air is common in most building HVAC systems.
In which the author explores the specific strengths and attributes of various boiler types, along with pumping options and other system factors. The goal: To help you intelligently align your project’s equipment choices with its particular load, meeting expectations while avoiding Delta T headaches.
Engineers face multiple options for providing hydronic heat, along with additional decisions regarding whether that design should also serve other components such as domestic hot water.
Not exactly business as usual: a retrofit of a retrofit involving custom air handling boxes and the limitations of a historical building. The project team assessed the possible routes and mapped a course guided by VRF capabilities and precision work onsite.
How often has an AHU or system been reused as part of a building renovation project and/or to expand the area served by the associated unit to provide additional air conditioning or heating?
In a sense, HVAC engineers are the physicians of the built environment because IAQ and water management determine the growth and transmission of microorganisms.