What is HVAC?
HVAC stands for heating, ventilating and air conditioning. There are many mechanical and passive ways to accomplish these tasks. The strategies, design and ongoing maintenance of these systems determine how much energy, water and resources a building consumes in order to keep conditioned spaces healthy and comfortable.
How do we use it?
The ERC is conditioned by heating or cooling the 3,400 m2 of exposed concrete with 22km of embedded, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubes, through which a propylene glycol-water mix is circulated. Energy is harvested from the earth with a ground source heat pump system. Ventilation is done independently and is accomplished with earth tube tempering and demand control ventilation.
How does it make us more sustainable?
The separation of heating and cooling from ventilation makes each system more efficient. Thermal comfort levels are higher because radiant heating makes surface temperatures higher. Air velocities are lower than a forced-air system, eliminating drafts. Fresh air is delivered at optimum levels, maintaining air quality levels with as little energy as possible.
