Your Design Journal entries for this module should highlight your design thinking and analysis results that influenced your decisions about:
- your overall HVAC system strategy
- your heating strategy and how you implemented it in your design
- your cooling strategy and how you implemented it
- any special HVAC system challenges that you encountered
I based my overall HVAC system strategy on segmenting each floor into its own independent system. This approach allowed me to enhance zoning, improve comfort, and increase flexibility by enabling each floor to be controlled independently with programmable thermostats and integration with a central Building Management System (BMS). By isolating each floor, I minimized energy waste and simplified maintenance, ensuring that any issues on one floor wouldn’t impact the entire building.
For the heating strategy, I implemented a zoned approach by using hydronic heating with radiant floor systems in lower-demand areas and conventional forced-air systems where needed. Each floor had its own hydronic loop to ensure uniform warmth and to reduce the risk of hot or cold spots. I further optimized this setup by integrating it with the BMS, which allowed for real-time adjustments based on occupancy and time of day, thereby maximizing energy efficiency and enhancing comfort.
In parallel, I developed a cooling strategy that included dedicated chilled water loops and Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems for efficient air distribution. Each floor’s cooling system operated independently with smart zoning controls that adjusted the cooling outputs based on occupancy levels and external weather conditions. I was pleased to find that I didn’t encounter any significant HVAC system challenges during this module, as the decision to segment the floors effectively eliminated many common issues associated with centralized systems.