Indoor Climate & HVAC Technology
This course introduces the fundamentals of indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems, ventilation strategies, and occupant comfort. Students will learn how building systems influence indoor climate and occupant wellbeing, with practical applications in educational, commercial and residential buildings.
Instructor: Prof. Lars Ekberg & Dr. Sen Miao
Term: Spring
Location: Johanneberg Campus, Sven Hultins Gata 6, Room 303
Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:00-3:30 PM
Course Overview
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to indoor climate and HVAC technologies used in modern buildings. Students will:
- Understand the fundamentals of indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort
- Learn HVAC system operation and its impact on building performance
- Explore ventilation strategies and indoor climate monitoring techniques
- Develop knowledge of smart building technologies and AI-driven control strategies
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of building science or engineering fundamentals
- Introductory physics or thermodynamics (recommended)
- Basic data analysis skills are helpful but not required
Textbooks
- “HVAC Fundamentals” by Samuel Sugarman
- “Thermal Comfort” by Povl Ole Fanger
- Selected research articles provided during the course
Grading
- Assignments: 40%
- Project: 50%
- Participation: 10%
Schedule
| Week | Date | Topic | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 5 | Introduction to Indoor Climate and HVAC Systems Overview of indoor environmental quality, HVAC fundamentals, and key performance indicators. | |
| 2 | Feb 12 | Thermal Comfort and Human Perception Principles of thermal comfort, PMV/PPD models, and occupant perception of indoor environments. | |
| 3 | Feb 19 | Ventilation Principles and Indoor Air Quality Natural and mechanical ventilation, CO₂ monitoring, and IAQ performance metrics. | |
| 4 | Feb 26 | HVAC System Components and Operation Heating, cooling, air distribution, filtration, and control strategies in modern HVAC systems. | |
| 5 | Mar 4 | Building Energy Performance and Climate Resilience Energy demand, system efficiency, and adaptation strategies under future climate scenarios. | |
| 6 | Mar 11 | Smart HVAC Control and Monitoring Technologies IoT sensors, digital twins, and AI-based control for indoor climate optimization. |