This presentation provides an overview of Air-to-Water Heat Pumps (ATWHP), and how they can best be leveraged to
reduce building emissions in retrofits of hydronic systems and new construction alike. Designing Air-to-Water Heat Pump
systems can be different than designing conventional chiller-boiler systems, however, when the technology and
capabilities are understood, the hydronic system can be adapted to suit the central plant Air-to-Water Heat Pumps, and
the energy and emissions savings can become significant.

See exactly how this technology fits into a low-carbon future with electrified buildings from the point of view of Energy
Engineers, Mechanical Designers, and Energy Modelers. Learn about various ATWHP applications hydronic systems using
2-pipe, 4-pipe and Cascade System approaches, as well as how to best integrate the equipment with Domestic Hot Water
systems. This presentation will demonstrate the significant energy use and greenhouse gas emission reduction potential
of using reversible ATWHP systems instead of traditional cooling-only air-cooled chillers.

A detailed analysis will show the potential technology benefits of a partial fuel switch to the ATWHP system with Auxiliary
Natural Gas or Electric Boiler for Peak Winter days and show the energy comparison and carbon reduction potential for
various supplementary heating means.

The presentation concludes with an overview of operational cost comparisons of fossil fuel and electric heating systems,
and how the financials will continue to become more favorable for electrified systems as governments and utility providers
adapt their incentives, programs, and targets to transform the market towards sustainable electrified designs.

Key takeaways and Learning Objectives from the session:

1. Understand the concept of fuel-switching and its importance for high efficiency retrofits of existing building
central plant systems or for new plant designs.
2. Learn design strategies, sizing methodologies and application techniques of using air-to-water heat pump plant
equipment including system optimization of central plant Energy Management Strategy (EMS).
3. Learn about the energy and cost savings, and emission reductions achievable with fuel-switching retrofit of
traditional central plant systems with air-to-water heat pumps with supplemental gas or electric boilers.

Refrigerant transition towards low GWP and A2L class refrigerants is a key topic in the North American HVAC industry
and will be a catalyst for electrified heating/cooling systems to move back towards hydronics to move energy throughout
the building for space heating/cooling and to meet the ventilation needs of the building.
Highly efficient, electrified systems can be achieved with hydronics without sacrificing indoor thermal comfort or the
ventilation needs of the buildings we occupy when hydronic systems are used as the delivery method by using hydronic
heat pumps to generate low-carbon heating and cooling.
This presentation will explore a system-wide approach for application of centralized heating/cooling plants, centralized
ventilation and terminal units leveraging low-temperature heating and high-temperature cooling to achieve a
comfortable low-carbon HVAC system.
The presentation will provide an overview on chilled beams and how they can be leveraged to optimize the efficiency of
the overall hydronic system and improving thermal comfort and IAQ, and how integrated design with respect to the
ventilation system and central heating/cooling plant must be considered.
The presentation will conclude with an overview of a case study project where low-temperature heating and hightemperature
cooling were leveraged to provide a low-carbon design without sacrificing indoor air quality, thermal
comfort or energy efficiency.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the energy savings and comfort benefits of low temperature heating and high temperature cooling
systems.
2. Explore and understand the latest technologies contributing to the "A2L" all electric building, including Chilled
beams, central heat pump plants, and ventilation equipment as well as the importance of integrated control
strategies such as demand control ventilation.
3. Understand how the safety concerns and carbon emissions associated with refrigerants can be mitigated by
utilizing hydronics and central heat pumps as designs shift to all-electric.
4. Review the benefits of an all-electric building when a complete system approach to equipment selection is
taken, as demonstrated through case studies from Europe

This presentation focuses on students and young professionals. It provides an introduction on various heat pump
technologies and types and how they fit into HVAC design from a carbon and energy efficiency point of view. The
presentation will outline key heat pump technology types that are utilized to heat both Air and Water as a distribution
medium for comfort heating & Cooling Applications.

Heat pump types include an overview of air-source, water-source systems, cascade systems, as well as a breakdown of
Packaged heat pump systems and distributed systems (VRF), including basic applications.

The presentation concludes with an analysis of heat pump operation over conventional fossil fuel systems to demonstrate
energy savings, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and operating cost comparison of heat pumps vs. Conventional natural
gas heating systems.

This presentation is suited to mechanical designers, energy modelers, and those new to HVAC and/or the low carbon
landscape.

Key takeaways and Learning Objectives from the session:
1. Participants will gain a basic understanding of heat pump technology types and applications where certain
equipment types are better suited over others.
2. Participants will learn about energy and carbon emission saving potential in addition to comparing operating
costs of fossil fuel systems vs heat pump systems
3. Participants will learn advantages and disadvantages of packaged heat pump systems Vs. distributed systems
and how system selection may be impacted by codes and regulations.