HVAC Primer for Design Professionals
Agenda
Registration 8:00 – 8:30 am
Morning Session 8:30 – 11:45 am
Lunch (On your own) 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Afternoon Session 12:45 – 4:30 pm
Reviewing Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Principles
Purposes of HVAC systems
Examining sensible and latent heat
Principles of heat transfer
Reviewing heat transfer equations for liquids and gases
Conventional and Green Building Codes
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers standards and guidelines
State and local residential and commercial codes
LEED and other “green” rating systems
HVAC System Design Considerations
Building location and construction
Making HVAC load calculations
Unconditioned and conditioned spaces
Single and multiple zone systems
Sizing systems and using variable capacity systems
Evaluating HVAC Systems and Equipment
Heat pumps: air source and ground source
Chilled water
Variable refrigerant flow systems
Forced air systems
Radiant heat systems
Constant volume and variable air volume systems
Distribution systems: piping and ductwork
HVAC System Controls
Control system goals: maintain thermal comfort, reduce energy use, monitor performance
Control system options
Reviewing Equipment and Techniques for High Performance Buildings
Additional goals of high-performance HVAC: thermal comfort and improved indoor-air quality
Right-sizing equipment
Variable load performance
Shifting and reducing loads
Heat recovery
Commissioning
Operation and maintenance
Cogeneration
Credits
Architects
6.5 HSW Contact Hours
6.5 AIA HSW Learning Units
Professional Engineers
6.5 PDHs
Building Performance Institute
3.25 CEUs
Contractors
Non-Mandatory Cont. Ed.
This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 HSW continuing education hours to architects and 6.5 PDHs to professional engineers in all states with continuing education requirements.
This seminar is approved by the American Institute of Architects for 6.5 HSW Learning Units (Sponsor No. J885). Courses approved by the AIA qualify for New Jersey architects.
HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for architects in Florida and is deemed an approved sponsor in New York. HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for engineers in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey (Approval No 24GP00000700), New York (NYSED No. 35), North Carolina, and North Dakota.
The Building Performance Institute has approved this event for 3.25 CEUs.
This course offers a continuing education opportunity to contractors. It has not been approved by any state contractor licensing entity for required continuing education credit.
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.
Speakers
Blair Richardson, P.E., CEM, CGD, CLEP, LEED
Mr. Richardson has built his career around continuous learning and relationship-building through teaching engagements, presentations, and volunteer service. A committed advocate for diversity and sustainability, he has supported leadership development programs, served as a mentor, and held leadership roles with nonprofit organizations. Throughout his career, Mr. Richardson has collaborated with architects, engineers, contractors, commissioning agents, and owners on projects spanning high-end residential and industrial manufacturing, municipal schools, and state-of-the-art biomedical research facilities. With deep experience leading multidisciplinary teams, he develops and implements comprehensive strategies that align project execution with clients’ goals and sustainability commitments. In commissioning, Mr. Richardson’s leadership has strengthened internal practices and improved delivery processes. He has played a key role in training commissioning providers, developing commissioning programs, overseeing data analytics, and ultimately delivering stronger project outcomes.