Through the Energy & Climate Projects Series, we will be introducing key projects from Sheridan’s campus-wide energy saving initiatives as implemented by the Integrated Energy and Climate Master Plan (IECMP). Last week’s installment on the new lighting wall stations and DALI system concluded our discussion on the Lighting Fixture Retrofit and Lighting Controls Integration project. Next up are the recent upgrades to Davis and Trafalgar’s HVAC system which is a major component of the BAS Replacement and Mechanical Upgrades project.
HVAC: What is it?
HVAC? That sounds familiar, right? Before we break down Sheridan’s HVAC renovations, how about a better understanding of what is an HVAC and why it is vital.
The HVAC, or the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system refers to the technologies that provide heating and cooling services to improve comfort in indoor spaces. A basic HVAC system includes a supply fan, return fan, heating and cooling coils, filters, dampers, sensors, and a humidifier. It is integral in creating an ideal environment through the use of building and zoning control.
An Evolving Technology
Though the exact origins of HVAC systems can’t be identified, they have been around for hundreds of years. With the goal of creating an ideal environment, they differ to the system in Sheridan’s office spaces and classrooms.
Heating: Early humans built an indoor fire to keep warm. The Romans developed a central heating system utilizing an underground furnace and air ducts. Benjamin Franklin invented the first steam heating system with the Franklin stove.
Air Conditioning: The Egyptians had man powered fans. Leonardo Da Vinci later built a fan powered by water. In 1882, Tesla invented the electric fan.
Despite the ingenuity of these technologies, many civilizations didn’t realize that bad air quality was linked to the increasing spread of disease. The increasing awareness catalyzed improvement to ventilation in modern HVAC systems as well as standards supported by experimental studies. Since the 1890s, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has developed HVAC standards and guidelines which are updated annually. Standards and guidelines become increasingly stringent as HVAC technologies improve in efficiency and sustainability.
Influence of Building Design
There was a There was a back-and-forth struggle in finding the right balance with ventilation, insulation, and energy conservation. Prior to 1978, building insulation levels were low and ventilation was prevalent but a low priority. The 1979 energy crisis resulted in increasing insulation and decreasing ventilation due to rising energy costs. Similar to past civilizations, the reduced ventilation led to increasing sickness especially since indoor smoking was a norm. In response, building designs continued to evolve to gain better control of ventilation while mitigating energy wasted.
Sheridan’s buildings were constructed in the last few decades between 1970 and 2014. Having been installed based on the “thinking of the day”, Sheridan’s HVAC systems vary throughout. The primary objective of IECMP’s HVAC upgrades is to modernize air delivery in all buildings to ensure that all spaces are healthy and energy is conserved.
Sheridan’s View
“If the occupant is uncomfortable, we’re wasting energy,” commented Facilities Project manager Katherine Rinas on the importance of the HVAC upgrades and Mission Zero initiatives. Facilities and the Office for Sustainability (OfS) are working closely together in order to gain better control of occupant comfort by having a better understanding of each office space and classroom. The upgraded HVAC system provides Facilities with proper tools to better dissect uncomfortable situations and control humidity and ventilation based on room occupancy.
Energy Manager of the OfS Herbert Sinnock stated that the team welcomes feedback from the Sheridan Community with regards to the new HVAC system and other ongoing projects. By providing your feedback on comfort levels, we can direct our efforts to improve system operations. Send us your feedback at constructionfeedback@sheridancollege.ca.