Major HVAC Equipment Used in MEP

Major HVAC equipment used in buildings along with their definitions, capacities, classifications, and major suppliers and brands:

Air handling units (AHUs)

AHUs are used to circulate and condition air in a building. They consist of fans, filters, heating and cooling coils, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. AHUs can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to large commercial or industrial units that serve multiple floors or zones. Major suppliers and brands include Carrier, Trane, and Johnson Controls.

Chillers 

Chillers are used to cool water or other fluids that are circulated through a building's HVAC system to provide cooling. They can be classified by capacity, which ranges from small residential units to large commercial or industrial units that serve entire buildings or campuses. Major types of chillers include reciprocating, centrifugal, and absorption chillers. Major suppliers and brands include York, Daikin, and McQuay.

Boilers 

Boilers are used to heat water or other fluids that are circulated through a building's HVAC system to provide heating. They can be classified by fuel type, such as natural gas, oil, or electricity, as well as by capacity, ranging from small residential units to large commercial or industrial units that serve entire buildings or campuses. Major suppliers and brands include Weil-McLain, Lochinvar, and Burnham.

Heat pumps 

Heat pumps are used to move heat from one location to another, either by absorbing heat from the outside air or ground (air-source or ground-source) or by exchanging heat between two fluid loops (water-source). Heat pumps are classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to large commercial or industrial units that serve entire buildings. Major suppliers and brands include Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, and Carrier.

Ventilation fans 

Ventilation fans are used to exhaust stale air and introduce fresh outdoor air into a building. They can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential fans to large commercial or industrial fans that serve multiple floors or zones. Major suppliers and brands include Greenheck, Broan-NuTone, and Fantech.

Ductwork 

Ductwork is used to distribute air throughout a building's HVAC system. It can be classified by material, such as metal or flexible plastic, as well as by shape and size, depending on the specific application and requirements of the system. Major suppliers and brands include AccuDuct, Ductmate, and Spiral Pipe of Texas.

Thermostats and controls 

Thermostats and controls are used to regulate temperature and humidity in a building's HVAC system. They can be classified by complexity, ranging from simple manual thermostats to advanced programmable or smart thermostats that can be controlled remotely. Major suppliers and brands include Honeywell, Nest, and Ecobee.

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers 

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are used to add or remove moisture from the air in a building's HVAC system. They can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to large commercial or industrial units that serve entire buildings or zones. Major suppliers and brands include Aprilaire, Carrier, and GeneralAire.

Filters 

Filters are used to remove particles and contaminants from the air in a building's HVAC system. They can be classified by efficiency rating, ranging from low-efficiency filters that remove larger particles to high-efficiency filters that remove smaller particles and even pathogens. Major suppliers and brands include 3M, Camfil, and Filtration Group.

VAV boxes

Variable air volume (VAV) boxes are used to control the flow of air in a building's HVAC system. They can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to large commercial or industrial units that serve multiple floors or zones. Major suppliers and brands include Titus, Greenheck, and Johnson Controls.

Fan coil units (FCUs)

FCUs are similar to AHUs but are smaller and designed to serve individual rooms or zones within a building. They can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to larger commercial or industrial units that serve multiple rooms or floors. FCUs typically have a fan, heating and cooling coils, and filters. Major suppliers and brands include Carrier, Trane, and Daikin.

Split systems

Split systems are used for heating and cooling smaller spaces, such as individual rooms or small offices. They consist of an outdoor unit containing a compressor and condenser, and an indoor unit containing a fan and evaporator coil. Split systems can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to larger commercial or industrial units that serve multiple rooms or zones. Major suppliers and brands include Mitsubishi Electric, LG, and Fujitsu.

Packaged units

Packaged units are used for heating and cooling larger spaces, such as entire buildings or facilities. They contain all the necessary components in a single unit, including a compressor, fan, heating and cooling coils, and filters. Packaged units can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to large commercial or industrial units that serve entire buildings or campuses. Major suppliers and brands include Lennox, Rheem, and Carrier.

Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs)

HRVs are used to bring fresh air into a building while recovering heat from the exhaust air. They consist of two separate air streams that pass through a heat exchanger, which transfers heat from the exhaust air to the incoming fresh air. HRVs can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to larger commercial or industrial units that serve multiple rooms or zones. Major suppliers and brands include Panasonic, Broan, and Lifebreath.

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs)

ERVs are similar to HRVs but also transfer moisture from the exhaust air to the incoming fresh air. They can be classified by capacity, ranging from small residential units to larger commercial or industrial units that serve entire buildings or facilities. Major suppliers and brands include Renewaire, Venmar, and Zehnder.

Pressurization units 

Pressurization units are HVAC equipment used to regulate the air pressure in a building or specific area. They work by controlling the flow of air into or out of a space to maintain a certain pressure level relative to the surrounding areas.

1. Positive pressure units - Positive pressure units deliver more air into a room than is extracted, creating a slightly higher air pressure inside the room compared to outside. This helps to prevent contaminants from entering the room from adjacent areas. Positive pressure units are commonly used in clean rooms, laboratories, and hospitals.
2. Negative pressure units - Negative pressure units extract more air from a room than is supplied, creating a slightly lower air pressure inside the room compared to outside. This helps to prevent contaminants from escaping the room and spreading to other areas. Negative pressure units are commonly used in isolation rooms for infectious patients, fume hoods, and some industrial processes.
3. Pressurization unit components - Pressurization units typically include fans, ductwork, dampers, filters, and controls. The fans can be either supply fans or exhaust fans, depending on whether the unit is designed to create positive or negative pressure. Ductwork is used to transport air to and from the space, and dampers are used to control the flow of air. Filters are used to remove contaminants from the air, and controls are used to monitor and adjust the pressure level.
4. Pressurization unit capacity - The capacity of pressurization units can vary depending on the size and requirements of the space. It is important to consult with an HVAC professional to determine the appropriate type and capacity of pressurization unit for a specific application.
5. Major suppliers and brands - Major suppliers and brands of pressurization units include Greenheck, Accurex, and Ruskin.