HVAC Does Not Equal IEQ

Online educational resource on achieving indoor environmental quality with radiant based HVAC systems

Fundamentals of indoor environmental quality / thermal comfort and air quality solutions using radiant based HVAC

Wrong labels lead to misunderstandings

A plumber, pipe fitter or tinsmith is no more of an indoor climate engineer than a framer is a cribber or a cabinet maker.

We have labels for trades and designers within categories such as HVAC or carpentry but there is absolute confusion by industry and consumers alike as to what profession is responsible for indoor environmental quality (IEQ).

In part it is because IEQ is a multi disciplinary study in the relationship between the building and health sciences, where the "mechanics" of HVAC does not equal IEQ.

In the former, the indoor climate engineer is very much attuned to human physiology and psychology where the latter is primary concerned with codes, equipment and assemblies.

The latter will be judged by an inspector based on minimum and objective requirements; the former by the subjective needs of the occupant and IEQ standards.

What is IEQ?

IEQ = TCQ + IAQ + ISQ +ILQ +IOQ +IVQ

where,

Q = Quality, and

TC = Thermal comfort
IA = Indoor air
IS = Indoor sound
IL = Indoor lighting
IO = Indoor odour
IV = Indoor vibration

Just because someone can design, install and commission an MRI machine doesn't make them a doctor. Likewise just because someone can design, install and commission an HVAC system does not make then an indoor climate consultant.

Heating, cooling and ventilating a space does not equal IEQ...sure its part of it but IEQ does not begin and end with HVAC.

Having said that...some of the best IEQ consultants are those with a background in HVAC.

Message to the HVAC industry you're oh so close to making quantum leaps if you would only add a few courses on human physiology to your curriculums.

HVAC does not equal IEQ: Mislabelling, misleading and misunderstanding
Copyright (c) 2013, Robert Bean, R.E.T., P.L.(Eng.), All Rights Reserved

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As I have said for years, the skills required for HVAC are not the same skills required for indoor climate engineering. You cannot create spaces which meet the human factor needs of the occupants without (wait for it....) understanding the human factor needs of the occupants - who knew? But human factor design is not taught at the trade or technician level nor is it standard practice to teach environmental ergonomics and human factors to engineering students.

Below is just two of many sample list of trade HVAC competencies; make note the absence of basic human physiology and psychology as it relates to the indoor environments. Again, there is nothing in these representative competency assessments requiring a basic knowledge of human thermal comfort systems, respiratory systems, vision, auditory or olfactory systems. Yet indoor environmental complaints will always have its root in one or more of these sensory systems. Furthermore the first service provider to respond to these complaints will likely be an HVAC technician who will have no choice but to try to solve the complaint with the only skills he/she has developed based on the sample of industry training and competencies listed below.

National Construction Career Test - HVAC
Topic Area	# of Questions
Basic Safety	10
Introduction to Construction Math	7
Introduction to Hand Tools	5
Introduction to Power Tools	4
Introduction to Blueprints	4
Basic Rigging	4
Tools for Success – Communications	7
Tools for Success – Employability Skills	9
Introduction to HVAC	2
Trade Mathematics	2
Tools of the Trade	2
Copper and Plastic Piping Practices	2
Soldering and Brazing	4
Ferrous Metal Piping Practices	3
Basic Electricity	5
Introduction to Cooling	8
Introduction to Heating	8
Air Distribution Systems	5
Chimneys, Vents and Flues	2
Alternating Current	5
Electric Heating	2
Introduction to Control Circuit, Troubleshooting	6
Metering Devices	2
Heat Pumps	2
Leak Detection, Evacuation, Recovery and Charging	4
Total Number of Questions	114
Source: National Center for Construction Education and Research

NOCTI Job Ready Assessment - HVAC Exam (200 questions)
Area Covered	%
Electricity	12
Soldering, Brazing, and Welding	7
Pipe Fitting	3
Controls	5
Installation and Service	4
Related Math and Science	5
Refrigeration	6
Refrigerant Recovery	4
General Safety	6
Computer Literacy	4
Employability Skills	3
Air Conditioning	7
Heat Pumps and Electric Heat	8
Hydronic Systems	4
Forced Air, Gas, and Oil Units	12
Humidity and Air Movement	3
Sheet Metal and Ductwork	7
Source: NOCTI Job Ready Assessment - HVAC Exam

Here are some links to other education providers to further emphasize that HVAC education does not address human physiology, the key to understanding IEQ.

Building Environmental Systems Technology
HVAC Specialist
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology Program
HVACR Engineering Technology

Please understand I am not discrediting the work and services that these excellent organizations provide, likewise for thousands of other trade colleges and technical programs. These and other educational service providers do wonderful work but they and the building codes are all missing the link between the building and health sciences, and that is the fundamental and subjective needs of the occupant.

What I am pointing out is society cannot expect an untrained industry to meet the indoor environmental needs of the occupants if industry doesn't understand indoor environmental ergonomics and human sensory systems - full stop.

The challenge is exasperated by industry's motivation to only meet the minimum requirements of the Building Code. So what you have is D grade systems designed and installed by those who know very little about what it takes to create indoor environmental quality (exception to those who have extended their knowledge base through professional development programs).

The coup de gras happens when the untrained D grade service provider is negotiated down on price and quality, by builders and consumers alike. The whole smorgasbord is then devalued by the drive for aesthetics with more research spent on granite or porcelain finishes then researching the benefits of good indoor environmental ergonomics.

I can't emphasize enough, when it comes to indoor environmental quality, being a sheet metal worker or a pipe fitter or refrigeration technician with the capacity to select zippy HVAC equipment from a manufacturers catalogue is good if you're doing HVAC but inadequate for doing IEQ.

To do IEQ you have to know IEQ.