VC-21-007 -- Best Practices for HVAC, Plumbing, and Heat Supply in Arctic Climates

Arctic climates provide unique challenges for designers ofheating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC), plumbing,and thermal energy systems. The importance of consideringoutdoor air temperatures, system reliability, and buildingresiliency cannot be understated. This paper describes bestpractice examples of robust and reliable systems with theemphasis on their redundancy, durability, and functionality.The paper also discusses the most common heating system andventilation system approaches used in Arctic climate andemphasizes the importance of a maintenance program thatallows building operators to successfully troubleshoot andmaintain buildings in the Arctic. Concepts are illustrated byseveral best practice examples (e.g., U.S. military bases inAlaska and Søndre Strømfjord, the international airport ofGreenland that previously was used as a U.S. military base).