Centralized Vs Decentralized Air-Conditioning Systems

Commercial air conditioning may be provided by a variety of equipment ranging from low horsepower self-contained systems to the very large built-up central systems of several thousand ton capacity. Customer/user's ultimate objective is to acquire and utilize an air conditioning system that will provide the most appropriate performance on a whole of life basis, in terms of capital, operating, replacement and maintenance costs. It's the architect's/HVAC engineer's responsibility to guide and advise the customers the best option. HVAC systems are of great importance to architectural design efforts for four main reasons. 1. First, the success or failure of thermal comfort efforts is usually directly related to the success or failure of a building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; 2. Second, HVAC systems often require substantial floor space and/or building volume for equipment and distribution elements that must be accommodated during the design process; 3. Third, HVAC systems require significant capital investments; 4. Last, but not least, the HVAC system is responsible for large portion of building operating costs. The design and selection of right HVAC system therefore must combine a proper choice of engineered products efficiently providing conditioned air to the space at optimum energy while adding architectural features that shall complement the interior design. This 5 - hr Quick Book course discusses the various issues to be considered and the questions to be raised before an intelligent, well-thought HVAC scheme is finalized. The advantages and disadvantages, which arise as a result of centralized or decentralized air conditioning systems, are evaluated in this course. The course is intended for use primarily to the architects, engineers, contractors, facility managers, O&M personnel and HVAC designers. Learning Objective At the conclusion of this course, the student will: - Understand the different types of HVAC systems; - Understand the HVAC design challenges on various architectural and functional parameters; - Understand the difference between central and decentralized systems; - Understand the central chilled water system sub-configurations; - Understand various types of decentralized systems (window, split, package, heat pumps and VRF systems); - Understand the pros and cons of the central and compact systems; - Understand how to select the right system for your application.