Articles
Improving HVAC Operations – Part I: Managing Swing Season Cooling Requirements
Abstract: Maintaining a solid understanding of how common HVAC systems are controlled is essential to effectively troubleshooting them. It is also necessary for optimizing the energy performance of such systems. Improving the knowledge base of HVAC control sequences throughout the Department of Defense, for these purposes, was the driving force behind the resurrection of the…
Read MoreEnsuring Proper Airflow: Best practices for hospital air balancing planning & coordination
Molly Meyer and Miles Ryan, both Mechanical Engineers at QSEng, published this article in the March/April 2021 issue of Medical Construction Design magazine. The required sophistication of air systems in a healthcare setting and the process of working in existing hospitals present many obstacles to the testing, adjusting and balancing, or TAB, process. Healthcare is…
Read MoreUnderstanding Cascade Control and Its Applications For HVAC
Miles Ryan, a P.E. at QSEng authored this ASHRAE article published in February 2021. Most readers familiar with the operation of HVAC systems are aware of the term closed-loop control, oftentimes referred to as just a control loop, closed-loop, or feedback loop. Additionally, many will describe them as PID loops, short for Proportional-Integral-Derivative loops, although…
Read MoreVirtual Retro-Commissioning: Preparing For Video Walkthroughs & Testing
Our President, Rebecca Ellis, has been writing a monthly column in Engineered Systems Magazine since 1998. Read May’s column below: As discussed in my last three columns (February, March, and April 2021), there are a number of retro-commissioning activities that can be completed remotely. However, there is much to be learned from seeing, touching, and hearing…
Read MoreAddressing PRVs in Domestic Hot Water Recirculating Systems
Synopsis There are numerous parallels and striking differences between domestic hot water recirculating systems, and the hydronic systems used to heat and cool facilities. This paper will explore those parallels and differences to highlight the common pitfalls seen in the design and operation of domestic hot water recirculating systems which include the presence of a…
Read MoreThe U.S. Air Force’s Approach to HVAC Education: Developing Field Competence
Miles Ryan, a P.E. at QSEng co-authored this ASHRAE published article about his experience in The U.S. Air Force. An engineer who is as comfortable in the field as they are in the office is someone you want on your team, especially if your team operates and maintains facilities. Developing this competence can take years…
Read MoreCommissioning Best Practices: Electrical – Top 10 Deficiencies and Challenges
Here are the top 10 deficiencies or challenges encountered on a wide range of projects. 1. Equipment settings not available or not understood Settings for ATSs and other equipment generally are not provided by the design engineer or owner prior to functional performance testing. The commissioning professional needs to request the settings well in advance…
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