ARCH 1550 Environmental Control Systems

Year
Year 1
Semester
First Semester
Credit
3
Program Description

Fundamentals of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in residential and commercial buildings.

About this course

This course covers the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in residential and commercial buildings. You will learn how to assess heating and cooling loads, select appropriate equipment, and understand the controls that keep indoor environments comfortable and safe. The focus is on practical knowledge you can apply in building design and operations.

Topics include heat transfer basics, air distribution methods, HVAC components, and energy efficiency strategies. You will work through load calculations and review system drawings to prepare for more advanced building science courses.

Who takes this course

This course is part of the Bachelor of Applied Technology — Building Science program.

Credits: 3 · Hours: 45

Prerequisites

None

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the principles of heat transfer and load calculations for building spaces.
  • Identify major components of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
  • Compare residential and commercial system types and their typical applications.
  • Evaluate basic system controls and energy efficiency strategies.
  • Read and interpret simple mechanical system drawings and specifications.

Evaluation

Component Weight (%)
Midterm examination 30
Load calculation assignment 20
System design project 25
Final examination 25