The contents of this report provide a summary of the process involved in providing a more efficient HVAC design for The Rotunda in Baltimore city, Maryland. The main factors of design were location and environmental conditions, life cycle cost analysis of the system Design Criteria, system sizing and an upgrade to ASHRAE system compliance.

          Trane trace software package and excel load calculation spreadsheet were used to compute energy analysis, system load sizing data and system selection options. ASHRAE 90.1 Zone 4A R-values were assumed for all constructions because there was not enough information given by the architect to simulate the construction on a layer by layer basis. 

          Preliminary modeling using Trane Trace suggested that the fan coil units would provide significant energy savings over a traditional decentralized packaged heat pump system. Further analysis showed that increasing the efficiency of the centrifugal chiller and adding a water economizer to the chiller provided free cooling while still meeting occupant comfort within the space.As a result the water cooled chiller was placed on the plaza level – farthest away from the apartments. The cooling tower was placed on the roof to take the best advantage to outdoor air reset and humidity evaporation design. Structural impact and recalculations were made to accommodate these changes.