Heating Systems, Plant and Control

Book excerpt: In many climates buildings are unable to provide comfort conditions for year-round occupancy without the benefit of a heating system, and most HVAC engineers will routinely be involved with issues concerning the design, installation and performance of such systems. Furthermore, in temperate climates, heating of buildings accounts for a large slice of annual carbon emissions. The design of heating systems for maximum efficiency and minimum carbon emission is therefore now a matter of prime concern to all HVAC engineers. The book provides an up-to-date review of the design, engineering and control of modern heating systems. Part A deals with heat generating plant. While this concentrates on conventional and condensing boilers, small-scale combined heat and power systems and heat pumps are also discussed. Part B deals with heat emitters, pipe circuits and variable-speed pumping, hot water service, optimum plant size and the vital issues of plant and system control, including sequence control of multiple boilers. Techniques for managing the energy use and running costs of heating systems are also discussed. The authors have brought together over a half-century of combined experience covering all aspects of the building services Industry to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive text that is both technically rigorous yet highly practical. This makes the book equally relevant to the busy HVAC engineer looking for a handy practical reference, the student looking to build on their basic knowledge or the researcher interested in key issues of heating system design and performance.