Air Conditioning Principles and Systems: An Energy Approach (4th Edition)

Using a minimum of mathematics, this book explores the fundamental concepts of air conditioning and their application to systems—explaining all concepts in a clear, practical manner, and focusing on problems and examples typically encountered on the job. This book contains the most recent and industry-wide accepted information on load calculations, design data, equipment information, and use of the Internet. Specific chapter topics cover the scope and uses of air conditioning; physical principles; heating loads; furnaces and boilers; hydronic piping systems and terminal units; cooling load calculations; psychrometrics; fluid flow in piping and ducts; piping, valves, ducts, and insulation; fans and air distribution devices; centrifugal pumps, expansion tanks, and venting; air conditioning systems and equipment; refrigeration systems and equipment; automatic controls; energy utilization and conservation; instrumentation, testing, and balancing; and planning and designing the HVAC system; and solar heating and cooling systems. For consulting engineers, mechanical contractors, HVAC engineers, designers, project managers, and facilities managers.

Edward G. Pita is Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Professor in the Environmental Control Technology Department at New York City Technical College of the City University of New York. He received a B.S. degree from Purdue University, an M.S. degree from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Maryland, all in mechanical engineering. He is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and is a registered professional engineer.

In addition to his career as an educator, Dr. Pita was chief mechanical engineer for a large consulting engineering firm responsible for HVAC projects for the United Nations, the State City of the Vatican, the U.S. Capitol, and many other governmental and private clients.

He has also worked in applications and systems engineering for the Carrier Corporation and the Worthington Corporation.