77866 - HVAC Systems in Building

Learning outcomes

the achievement of credits allows to acquire the essential tools to understand and locate the thermo-mechanical plant equipment (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) of a building and in the general of a civil work.

Course contents

The course deals with the various aspects of the HVAC  systems in  buildings with particular focus on: Typologies and design criteria,  energy saving and the use of renewable energy sources according to current national legislation. Starting from the basics of Technical Physics and Hydraulics (preparatory courses), this course discusses the key issues related to the design of heating and air-conditioning systems, and of production of hot water for sanitary purposes. At the end of the course the student will have a base knowledge to evaluate different choices for HVAC systems and identify strategies for energy saving.
A) Thermal Loads and IEQ conditions: thermophysical properties of building components (thermal transmittance, thermal bridges, thermal inertia, solar transmission). Calculation of winter and summer thermal loads. Basic concepts on Thermal Comfort: subjective and objective indices. Indoor air quality. Noise problems.
B) Hydronic heating and cooling Plants: Criteria for the selection and sizing of a heating/cooling system. Terminals: Radiators, convectors, radiant systems. Hydronic pipe systems and  schemes. Safety and control equipment. Heat generators. . Chimneys. Thermal power stations.
C) Air-conditioning systems - Criteria for the selection and sizing of AC systems. Winter and summer air conditioning. Air diffusers and ducts. Air handling units. Filtration systems. Noise problems.

D) Domestic Hor Water production. Design criteria of èpipe network and water storage

E) Energy production from Renewable Energy Sources. Types, technical characteristics, design criteria. Chillers and heat pumps. Solar thermal. Photovoltaic systems.

F) Energy Analysis of building-plant systems. Building energy balance. Energy efficiencies of HVAC plants. Calculation of energy needs and primary energy. Legislation requirements and Energy certification .  

Teaching methods

The lectures will provide the basis for the design of air conditioning systems
Course attendance is essential to gain practical knowledge on HVAC design
Students with 8 CFU (Impianti Tecnici Modulo 2) must develop a Design of an HVAC system.

Assessment methods

The final assessment is done through a final exam, on the general program of the course, that ensures the acquisition of knowledge and expected skills.

Students with 8 CFU must deliver their HVAC design before the exam.

Teaching tools

Slides of the lectures

free tools for thermal calculation

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Semprini