HVAC Testing and Balancing Systems - Basic Course

TRAINING INCENTIVES

U.S. MID-ATLANTIC UTILITIES: 

Visit the utility O&M training portal site for eligibility, terms and conditions and pre-approval

• Potomac Edison  (100%Tuition covered)

For Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Efficiency, Comfort and Health

This basic course is for HVAC and facility or maintenance engineers, managers, and technicians, energy and indoor air quality managers or professionals, and any related professionals interested to, Understand test and balance reports; Know how outside contractors do air test and balance; Do an in-house check of the air balance; Make or call for changes to increase or decrease airflow for room supply and return air volume, air changes per hour, pressurization, and ventilation.

This course explains and shows how to test and balance the airflow in commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For the health and comfort of the building’s occupants HVAC systems must provide the correct amount of airflow into and out of conditioned spaces to ensure acceptable temperature, humidity and volume of cooling, heating, and ventilation air.

Office buildings are typically designed for 5 to 10 air changes per hour (ACH). With less than 5 ACH occupants may complain that the air is stuffy or that they detect body or equipment odors. More than 10 ACH may cause drafts and occupants, especially workers seated at a desk, may feel cold air movement across their bodies. Many HVAC engineers design occupied space to have 7.5 ACH. However, some medical authorities have called for more air changes per hour in office buildings, schools, etc.

In some buildings room pressurization may be a critical factor. An example is a hospital where the operating rooms must have positive room pressure, and intensive care units (ICUs) may require negative pressure. Other buildings with special conditioned spaces that require either a negative or a positive pressure are labs and clean rooms facilities. The typical office has slightly positive pressure and room pressure is not tested.

In this course you will learn about testing and balancing (TAB) the ventilation air, the return air, and the heated and cooled supply air for each conditioned space’s air volume in cubic feet be minute (cfm), air changes per hour (ACH) and room pressurization and how to make changes when required. Whether it is conditioned space air volume, air changes per hour, or pressurization it is test and balance professionals that do the testing and make changes. This training helps attendees understand how proper test and balance will enhance their HVAC systems can meet energy efficiency goals, sustainability considerations and occupancy comfort.