S03 -- Central Cooling and Heating (SI)

Central cooling and/or heating plants generate cooling and/or heating in one location for distribution to multiple locations in one building or an entire campus or neighborhood, and represent approximately 25% of HVAC system applications. Central cooling and heating systems are used in almost all classes of buildings, but particularly in very large buildings and complexes or where there is a high density of energy use. They are especially suited to applications where maximizing equipment service life and using energy and operational workforce efficiently are important.

The following facility types are good candidates for central cooling and/or heating systems:Campus environments with distribution to several buildingsHigh-rise facilitiesLarge office buildingsLarge public assembly facilities, entertainment complexes, stadiums, arenas, and convention and exhibition centersUrban centers (e.g., city centers/districts)Shopping mallsLarge condominiums, hotels, and apartment complexesEducational facilitiesHospitals and other health care facilitiesIndustrial facilities (e.g., pharmaceutical, manufacturing)Large museums and similar institutionsLocations where waste heat is readily available (result of power generation or industrial processes)

This chapter addresses design alternatives that should be considered when centralizing a facilitys cooling and heating sources. Distribution system options and equipment are discussed when they relate to the central equipment, but more information on distribution systems can be found in Chapters 11 to 15.

Chapter Table of Contents

System Characteristics
Design Considerations
Equipment
Distribution Systems
Acoustic, Vibration, Wind, and Seismic Considerations
Space Considerations
Automatic Controls and Building Management Systems
Maintenance Management Systems
Building System Commissioning

ISBN: 978-1-936504-26-8 (for SI versions of chapters)
ISSN: 1930-7705 (for SI versions of chapters)

Citation: 2012 ASHRAE Handbook -- Systems and Equipment: Chapter 3, Central Cooling and Heating



Product Code(s): D-S32012SI