Aderhold Hall renovation project to modernize HVAC system
Much of the current construction in Aderhold Hall is taking place above the ceiling, but the improvements from the renovation will be felt throughout the entire building.
Funded by the University of Georgia, the project will replace over 450 variable air volume (VAV) boxes throughout Aderhold Hall and upgrade the building’s HVAC controls. The new system will feature digital controls and thermostats to maintain a comfortable indoor environment for occupants with different needs.
“The new system will provide better visibility, control, and responsiveness to the real-time conditions in each space,” said project manager Andrew Collins, who is leading the renovation. “This allows different spaces throughout the building to stay comfortable, even though they may have very different occupancy levels, schedules, and temperature preferences.”
The main HVAC system distributes air throughout the building, while the VAV box regulates how much air is delivered to a particular space based on its heating and cooling needs.
For example, when a classroom becomes warmer as more people enter, the VAV box delivers cooler air into the space. In contrast, if an office becomes too cold, the box changes the airflow and provides warmer air.
Overall, the project provides several long-term benefits for the Mary Frances Early College of Education community, including:
- Improved comfort: Faculty, staff, and students can expect more consistent temperatures and a better indoor environment.
- Improved reliability: Replacing aging equipment and controls helps reduce maintenance issues and unexpected system failures.
- Better building management: Facility staff will have greater visibility into how the HVAC system is operating, allowing them to identify and address issues more quickly.
- Energy efficiency: The upgraded controls allow the building to deliver heating and cooling more precisely, which can reduce unnecessary energy use while still maintaining comfort.
To make these changes possible, contractors will reconnect new equipment to the building’s existing air distribution ducts and hot water piping, install new digital thermostats, and add control wiring and communication cables that connect the equipment to the building’s central automation system.
If HVAC issues occur in the future, said Collins, UGA’s Facilities and Management Division will be better equipped to identify, diagnose, and resolve problems.
“The most noticeable improvement will likely be that occupants spend less time thinking about the HVAC system at all, because they are consistently comfortable,” he said. “The upgraded system will provide more precise temperature control, helping classrooms and offices maintain more consistent conditions throughout the day.”