HVAC Applications

This applications-based course dives into the real-world challenges and solutions of HVAC system design and operation across diverse facility types. Participants will examine how HVAC strategies adapt to unique demands such as infection control in healthcare, humidity control in museums, and energy optimization in net-zero buildings. With a strong focus on codes, standards, and performance outcomes, this course equips engineers to confidently tackle new project types and collaborate effectively across disciplines.

• Mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers expanding into HVAC applications or seeking deeper domain knowledge.
• HVAC system designers and project engineers working on diverse or specialized facility types.
• Facilities managers, construction professionals, and consultants seeking advanced insight beyond introductory HVAC training.

Review of HVAC Systems

• Abbreviations and references
• Survey of ASHRAE standards
• Use of a psychrometric chart
• Weather data and climate
• Vapor compression refrigeration
• Chilled water system components

Indoor Swimming Pools

• Wall construction / fenestration
• Duct designs
• Chemistry
• Exhaust
• Load calculations
• Equipment

Ice Skating Rinks

• Facility construction
• Conditions for various surfaces
• Load calculations and equipment

Laboratories

• 2023 HVAC Applications – Chapter 17
• Equipment requirements
• Laboratory ventilation
• Chemical fume hood testing
• Exhaust fans and air dispersion
• Energy conservation measures

Healthcare

• Healthcare codes and standards
  • 2023 HVAC Applications – Chapter 9
  • FGI – Facility / Guidelines Institute
  • ASHRAE 170 – Ventilation of Health Care Facilities
  • NFPA 99 – Health Care Facilities Code
• Examples of requirements
  • Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)
  • Water treatment and circulation
  • Indoor Air Quality and air filtration
  • Air pressurization requirements
  • Humidity requirements
    • Steam humidification
    • Adiabatic humidification
  • Emergency power / Standby
• Authorities Having Jurisdiction
  • Governing agencies
• Facility types
  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient facilities
  • Nursing homes and residencies
• Healthcare specific design considerations by space type

Museums and Libraries

• 2023 HVAC Applications – Chapter 24
• Temperature and relative humidity
• Material preservation considerations
• Collection storage and display

Data Centers

• 2023 HVAC Applications – Chapter 20
• ASHRAE thermal guidelines
• ASHRAE Standards 90.1 and 90.4
• Airflow configurations
• CRAC and CRAH units
• Liquid cooled equipment
• Air and water-side economizers

Indoor Plant Growth

• Purpose of growing indoors
• Plant physiology and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD)
• Facility construction
• Loads
  • Lighting
  • Evapotranspiration
• Outdoor air use
• CO₂ supplementation
• Controls and psychrometrics of indoor plant growth
• Duct designs and air distribution
• Equipment
  • Types
  • Redundancy
  • Remote monitoring and security
  • Humidification
  • Commissioning and PM

Net-Zero Energy Buildings

• Definition (ASHRAE Standard 228)
  • Site boundary
  • Different fuel types and source energy
  • Net-Zero carbon buildings – what is the difference?
• Process
  • Defining and setting goals
  • Conservation and generation
  • Operation
• Solar basics
  • Photovoltaic (PV)
  • Solar thermal
• Case study (Wisconsin school)

Svein Morner

Dr. Svein Morner is a founding principal of Sustainable Engineering Group, now part of HGA, where he brings over 20 years of expertise in commissioning, retro-commissioning, and energy efficiency engineering. He has served as a Commissioning Authority for a wide range of commercial, institutional, and governmental buildings, helping to implement high-performance, environmentally responsible design strategies. Dr. Morner has led research in solar energy and energy storage and was instrumental in developing the ASHRAE Design Guide for Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) and the ASHRAE Laboratory Design Guide. He earned his Mechanical Engineering degrees from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin. An active member of ASHRAE, he contributes to technical committees focused on sustainability, solar energy, and commissioning. Dr. Morner is recognized for advancing quality procedures and policies that support energy-efficient building design and operation.

Samuel Butzer

Samuel Butzer, PE, is a Senior Mechanical Project Engineer at HGA in Milwaukee, specializing in mechanical systems for healthcare facilities. With 20 years of experience, he brings a problem-solving mindset and a holistic approach to design. His recent projects include the UW Health East Madison Hospital Expansion and the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. Samuel is a licensed Professional Engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional (BD+C), committed to delivering sustainable, high-performance solutions that support patient care and operational excellence.

Craig Burg

Craig Burg is the Vice President of Engineering at Desert Aire LLC, where he has led product development and application engineering efforts for over two decades. He currently oversees research and development, custom system engineering, product testing, manufacturing engineering, and quality assurance. Craig holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is an active member of ASHRAE, where he serves in multiple leadership roles, including chairing ASHRAE SPC 198. He also contributes to industry standards through his involvement with AHRI and ASABE. With experience designing a wide range of air conditioning and dehumidification systems—from residential to large-scale commercial—Craig brings deep technical expertise to the field. He holds two patents, with additional innovations pending, focused on efficient vapor compression cycles and air reheating technologies.

Mark Malkin

Mark P. Malkin, PE, is a program director in the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs in the College of Engineering at UW-Madison. He is a registered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in university facilities project management and HVAC systems design. His course offerings include HVAC, plumbing and fire protection fundamentals, building code reviews, and design and operation of science labs, data centers, museums and libraries. Mark received his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and his MS in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison.

Deanne Walz

Deanne is a Project Manager at Affiliated Engineers, a national MEP engineering consulting firm with 16 offices. She began her career in the firm’s Washington, DC office, where she contributed mechanical design expertise to several projects at the National Institutes of Health. Now based in Madison, Deanne focuses on healthcare projects, currently leading the design of a new 332,000-square-foot hospital for Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, Wisconsin. Her recent work also includes MEP and utility infrastructure planning for Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and the mechanical design of a 452,000-square-foot expansion at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware. Deanne is a licensed professional engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional, bringing a strong commitment to sustainable and high-performance building design.