HVAC Design and Controls: A Visual Field Guide for Engineers and Technicians
Whether you are preparing for your first HVAC project or sharpening your controls knowledge on the job, this book delivers the complete picture -- from fundamental heat transfer principles to advanced BACnet sequences of operation -- in a format built for working professionals.
Unlike textbooks that stay in theory, this guide connects engineering concepts directly to real system design. Every chapter builds toward practical application, supported by 56 full-color technical illustrations drawn from field-tested designs.
What You Will Find Inside
Heat transfer, sensible and latent loads, and psychrometrics explained clearly with worked examplesVapor-compression refrigeration cycles and refrigerant selection, including low-GWP alternativesAir distribution system design, duct sizing, and VAV system operationHydronic system fundamentals, pump curves, and two-pipe versus four-pipe configurationsPID control theory applied to HVAC -- proportional, integral, and derivative tuning explained in plain languageBACnet protocols, network topologies, and Building Automation System architectureASHRAE 62.1 ventilation, ASHRAE 90.1 energy efficiency, and Guideline 36 sequences of operationCO2-based demand-controlled ventilation design and control logic56 Technical Illustrations
A dedicated visual reference section presents all 56 illustrations organized by system type -- residential split systems, commercial AHU and VAV configurations, industrial ventilation, chiller plants, BAS network diagrams, and control loop schematics. Each illustration is labeled and captioned for quick field reference.
6 Hands-On Design Projects
Work through complete design scenarios used by practicing engineers:
Manual J residential load calculationRooftop unit sequence of operationsVAV with reheat trim-and-respond controlAir-cooled chiller plant designDOAS with energy recovery for a gymnasiumVRF system for a multi-zone officeAppendices
Full reference appendices cover psychrometric equations, refrigerant property tables, ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation rate tables, hydronic formulas, BACnet object types and priority arrays, a standards quick-reference guide, and a complete 35-term glossary.
Ideal For
Mechanical and HVAC engineers early in their careersControls technicians and BAS programmersFacility managers responsible for HVAC system performanceEngineering students in mechanical or building systems programsContractors preparing for PE licensure or professional certifications