College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2026-05-07 06:08:26
Major
Mechanical Engineering
Honors Course
MECE 461
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
This project studies Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems for a car dealership located in Seguin, Texas. The building construction and architectural drawings were provided by EPIC Engineering Group. Comprehensive load calculations were done on the building in order to calculate necessary airflows throughout the building. Three possible HVAC design solutions were compared: Rooftop Units (RTUs), rooftop units paired with Variable Air Volume (VAV) Terminals with electric reheat, and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) paired with a Dedicated Outdoor Air Unit (DOAS). Energy modeling was completed to compare the utility costs and energy consumption of each system. A comprehensive weighted decision matrix was created comparing the three systems on the basis of comfort and zoning flexibility, maintenance costs and requirements, initial and lifecycle costs, and energy efficiency. This decision matrix aids the owner in choosing the system that will fulfill the needs of both the building and its occupants. By rating each design on the aforementioned criteria and adjusting for the proper weights, the Variable Air Volume Terminal system was found to be the most applicable for this building.
Research Sponsor
David Peters
First Reader
Christopher Daniels
Second Reader
Elizabeth Clifford
Honors Faculty Advisor
Scott Sawyer
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Community Engaged Scholarship
Yes
Recommended Citation
Walters, Sarah and Beyea, Sarah, "HVAC Design and Calculations" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2185.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2185