Energy Management Manual for Arena and Rink Operators
Section 5 Heating and Ventilation
There are an unlimited variety of ways to heat and ventilate buildings. The choice of systems is based on a number of factors.
You need an energy source (electricity, natural gas, propane, or fuel oil) and a heat transfer medium (air, water, or steam) that flows through a heat delivery system (pipes and ducts). Typically air or water is used as the heat transfer medium because both are in abundant supply. The heat arrives in the room through grilles and diffusers or convectors, unit heaters, and radiators.
The exception is an infrared or radiant heater which heats objects and people by direct radiation (like the sun) rather than through pipes or ducts.
Heat flow is always from warm to cool. The rate is based on the temperature differences between the hot side and the cool side, as well as the resistance to flow (created by walls, insulation, air films, and other building components).
The basic heating and ventilation system takes the heat from the heat source and distributes it to the places that need it, using fans and ducts for air-based systems or pumps and pipes for water-based systems.
