Heating and cooling a building is usually its single largest energy expense, and the equipment doing that job is changing fast. Variable refrigerant flow, heat pumps, energy-recovery ventilation and smart controls can cut HVAC energy use dramatically - but only when they are designed, sized and controlled correctly.

This Training Course from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy gives HVAC engineers, facility managers and building-services professionals a practical grounding in these technologies: how they work, when to specify them, how to integrate renewable energy, and how to prove the return on investment to decision-makers.

What You'll Gain

• A clear picture of the newest HVAC technologies and how each contributes to energy efficiency.
• The ability to design and control HVAC systems that balance energy use with occupant comfort.
• Skills to size loads accurately and model system efficiency before installation.
• Knowledge of how to integrate renewable energy and automation into HVAC design.
• The tools to evaluate lifecycle cost, ROI and certification (Energy Star, LEED) for HVAC investments.

Who Should Attend?

• HVAC engineers, designers and mechanical/building-services engineers upgrading their technical toolkit.
• Facility managers, building operators and technicians tasked with cutting operating costs.
• Energy consultants and sustainability experts working on green-building projects.
• Project managers overseeing HVAC installation and commissioning in energy-efficient buildings.

Module 1: HVAC's Real Cost - Consumption, Standards and Drivers

• The scale of HVAC's contribution to a building's total energy use.
• Efficiency standards shaping modern HVAC design.
• Global regulations and initiatives pushing the shift to efficient systems.

Module 2: The New Generation of HVAC Technology

• Recent advances reshaping the HVAC market.
• High-performance components at a glance: VRF, heat pumps, ERVs.
• How digital technology and automation are changing system efficiency.

Module 3: High-Efficiency Core Equipment - VRF and Heat Pumps

• How variable refrigerant flow systems adapt to changing loads.
• Heat pump principles for both heating and cooling, and their energy-saving benefits.
• Where these technologies fit best in commercial and residential settings.

Module 4: Energy Recovery Ventilation

• How ERV systems recover and transfer heat between air streams.
• Maintaining indoor air quality while minimising energy loss.
• The measurable impact of ERVs on overall system efficiency.

Module 5: Designing and Sizing for Efficiency

• Factors in system sizing, selection and placement for maximum efficiency.
• How building design and insulation reduce the HVAC load in the first place.
• Calculating heating and cooling loads accurately using simulation tools.

Module 6: Bringing Renewables into HVAC Design

• The role of solar and geothermal energy in HVAC systems.
• Reducing reliance on grid electricity through renewable integration.
• Common challenges in combining renewables with conventional HVAC.

Module 7: Automation, Demand Control and Predictive Maintenance

• Building automation systems (BAS) and how they lift HVAC performance.
• Demand-controlled ventilation: sensors, controls and occupancy-based operation.
• Predictive maintenance using IoT and data analytics to extend system life.

Module 8: Certifications and International Standards

• Achieving Energy Star and LEED recognition for HVAC installations.
• International guidelines such as ASHRAE and IEC and their influence on design.
• How certifications translate into building performance and market value.

Module 9: Costing It Out - Lifecycle Cost and ROI

• Performing lifecycle cost analysis covering installation, operation and maintenance.
• Understanding ROI from energy-efficient HVAC in terms of long-term savings.
• Tools for comparing the cost-effectiveness of different technologies.

Module 10: Smart, Connected HVAC

• Smart thermostats and IoT-enabled systems for real-time energy management.
• Cloud-based monitoring and control platforms.
• Emerging trends in data-driven HVAC optimisation.

Module 11: Decarbonisation and What's Next

• The shift toward low-carbon HVAC and low-GWP refrigerants.
• HVAC's role in achieving net-zero energy buildings.
• Innovations on the horizon, from advanced materials to AI-driven systems.