HVAC Upgrades – Rutgers University, Scotch Plains, NJ

Overview

Whitman provided professional engineering services for an HVAC upgrade project at Rutgers University’s School of Health Related Professionals (SHRP) building in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The existing building had an undersized air handling system with an associated chiller that needed major refurbishing or replacement. The design scope of work included replacing existing air handling components with new and more efficient components such as premium efficiency fan motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), new chilled water cooling coils, new multi-stage electric heating coils and new chiller. The new chiller was designed as a split system with air cooled section mounted outdoors on grade. The cooling and heating capacity of the existing air handling in the building was proven to be lacking (via load calculation), so additional equipment was provided.

Whitman suggested the use of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) mechanical equipment for some areas of the building and removing these areas from the existing air handling systems. The new VRF equipment is more efficient and takes up less physical space than the more traditional HVAC solutions. In addition, energy recovery units are being used in the renovated classroom spaces for ventilation. A previously suggested solution was to install six new grade-mounted air handlers in full view of the front of the building. Whitman’s solution eliminated this potential eyesore.

Several meetings took place between Whitman and Rutgers’ engineering and facilities personnel to review the VRF system in detail. This solution provided by Whitman was also less expensive, requiring less capital to be expended by Rutgers compared to the alternative, more traditional approach. Once the approval was received from Rutgers to proceed with the VRF equipment, Whitman completed the design.