BOC 1001

Credits: 2
Lecture: 10 hrs
Project: 6 hrs
Group Exercises: 4 hrs
Total: 20 hrs

Prerequisites: None

Class Description: In this two-day class, participants will learn about the Building Operator Certification training program and the requirements for demonstrating their knowledge and ability to apply the essentials of effective and energy efficient operations and maintenance. Participants will learn the fundamentals of building systems, including the envelope, heating, cooling, and air and ventilating systems, to be able to understand and relate how those systems interact with each other, the building, the occupants, and the environment.

PROJECT: HVAC Equipment Floor Plan

Learning Objectives:
At the completion of Energy Efficient Operation of Building HVAC Systems a participant will be able to:

  1. Recall eligibility and certification requirements for earning the Building Operator Certification (BOC®).
  2. Describe the building operator’s role in achieving and sustaining energy-efficient building operation.
  3. Conceptually map the integration of a building’s systems and how components interact with each other, the building, its occupants, and the environment.
  4. Recall how to maintain energy using building systems, equipment, and envelope to minimize energy use and resources usages as well as the building envelope and heat transfer characteristics.
  5. Describe how climate location will likely influence load, operation and maintenance, and the energy efficiency of various approaches to HVAC.
  6. Describe various energy sources currently in use for heating, cooling, and ventilation, their likely costs per BTU, and their impact on carbon dioxide emissions.
  7. Discuss the benefits of preventive maintenance and troubleshooting service records programs for HVAC equipment and controls.
  8. Recognize various environmental conditions that emphasize or challenge optimum occupant performance and energy efficiency for a building’s air delivery systems (heating, cooling, and ventilation).
  9. Explain troubleshooting and optimization approaches for heating and cooling units, systematic diagnostic procedures, and determination of repair needs.
  10. Recall building shell evaluation techniques and proven retrofit approaches that reduce energy use.
  11. Recall types of HVAC equipment that are deployed in high-performance buildings (e.g., condensing boilers, ground-source heat pumps, chilled beams).

Textbook:
BOC 1001 – Energy Efficient Operation of Building HVAC Systems Handbook, NEEC

Recommended Readings:
HVAC Systems-Applications, SMACNA
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, Whitman/Johnson

Special Equipment for Instructors:

Strongly suggested: Est. Cost
Digital Infrared Temperature Indicator
$90.00
Boiler Stack Thermometer
$50.00
Digital Temperature and Humidity Indicator w. Dew Point
$80.00
Hobo RH/Temperature Data Logger and Software
$250.00
Magnahelic Gauge w. Small Pitot
$110.00
Total
$580.00

Evaluation:

a. Application project 50%
b. Tests 50%

Class Outline

DAY 1: Introduction to the whole building system concept and how components interact with each other, with the building, its occupants, and the environment. Energy efficient operations and maintenance, thermal comfort theory, heat transfer, air movement, and air systems are reviewed.

1. Introduction to the BOC Program and Certification Requirements

1.1. Buildings and Energy Consumption
1.2. Trends in Building Operations
1.3. Job and Task Analysis For Building Operators
1.4. BOC Program Overview
1.5. Roundtable Discussion

2. Energy Efficient Operations and Maintenance

2.1. Building Personality

2.1.1. Operation Tasks
2.1.2. Maintenance Tasks
2.1.3. O&M Best Practices

2.4. Types Of Maintenance

2.4.1. Reactive
2.4.2. Preventative
2.4.3. Predictive

2.5. Elements Of Effective O&M

2.5.1. Operations Tasks
2.5.2. Maintenance Tasks
2.5.3. Value and Importance Of O&M Tasks
2.5.4. Case Study

3. Building Enclosures: Where Does the Heating and Cooling Energy Go

3.1. The Impact of Weather
3.2. Envelope Loads
3.3. Air Leakage
3.4. Heat Loss
3.5. Envelope Priorities
3.6. Occupant Comfort and Standards

4. HVAC Equipment (Heating and Cooling Devices)

4.1. Boiler Fundamentals

4.1.1. Boiler Types
4.1.2. Boiler Control
4.1.3. Steam-Condensate Cycle

4.1.3.1. Operation and Maintenance of Steam Distribution Systems
4.1.3.2. Steam Traps
4.1.3.3. Condensate Return

4.1.4. Hot Water Boilers

4.2. Combustion and Efficiency

4.2.1. Combustion Fundamentals

4.2.1.1. Combustion Air Supply
4.2.1.2. Ignition
4.2.1.3 Flame Conditions

4.3. Optimizing Boiler Operations

4.3.1. Water Treatment
4.3.2. High Performance Condensing Boilers

4.4. Furnaces

4.4.1. Types (Non-Condensing and Condensing)
4.4.2. Basic Components and Configurations
4.4.3. Combustion Fundamentals
4.4.4. Combustion Efficiency
4.4.5. Air Filter Fundamentals
4.4.6. Duct/Coil Cleaning Fundamentals

4.5 Radiant Heating

4.5.1. Gas-Fired Infrared
4.5.2. In-Floor Heating

DAY 2: Focuses on troubleshooting and optimization approaches for heating and cooling units, systematic diagnostic procedures, and determination of repair needs.

4.6. Heat Pumps

4.6.1. Air To Air Heat Pumps

4.6.1.1. Conventional
4.6.1.2. Mini-Split Ductless Units
4.6.1.3. Trouble Shooting and Optimization

4.6.2. Water Source Loop Heat Pump Basics

4.6.2.1. Theory For Heating and Cooling
4.6.2.2. Life Cycle Costing
4.6.2.3. Trouble Shooting and Optimization

5. Cooling Systems

5.1. Refrigeration Cycle
5.2. Vapor Compression Cycles and Components
5.3. Evaporator Systems
5.4. Chilled Water Systems
5.5. Condensers and Cooling Towers
5.6. Air and Water Source Heat Pumps
5.7. Geothermal Heat Pumps
5.8. Split Systems
5.9. Maintenance and Conservation/Optimizing

6. Air Properties and Human Comfort

6.1. Psychometrics
6.2. ASHRAE Comfort Charts
6.3. ASHRAE STD. 62 Ventilation Requirements
6.4. Ventilation CO2 Control Strategies

7. Air Systems/ Central Air Handling Units

7.1. Constant Volume Systems
7.2. Variable Air Volume
7.3. Dual Duct
7.4. Multi-zone
7.5. Building Pressurization and Exhaust Systems
7.6. Air System Fans

7.6.1. Fan Configurations
7.6.2. Varying Loads
7.6.3. Rationale: Need Variable Load To Be Effective
7.6.4. Trouble Shooting and Optimization

7.7. Air System Components

7.7.1. Coils
7.7.2. Filters
7.7.3. Turning Vanes
7.7.4. Dampers
7.7.5. Terminal Units
7.7.6. Ducting
7.7.7. Air Inlets and Outlets

7.8. Energy Conservation and Optimization Considerations

7.8.1. TAB – Testing and Air Balancing
7.8.2. Tool, Instruments and Basic Applied Math

8. Wrap-Up and Summary

8.1. Finding the Low Hanging Fruit
8.2. Prioritizing Changes
8.3. Utility Incentives
8.4. Federal or Other Incentives
8.5. Re-Tuning and/or Re-Commissioning

9. Course Project
Research and complete O&M contact information for utility rebate representatives. Draw a simple floor plan of the facility. Identify primary heating and cooling plants, distribution lines and control points.