Energy and Cost Performance of Tropical Air- and Water-Cooled HVAC Systems: A Conceptual Case for Integrated STEM Education

Abstract

Background and Objective: Operational HVAC data can support authentic interdisciplinary STEM tasks, but a technical comparison does not by itself demonstrate student learning. This descriptive case examines reported air- and water-cooled HVAC performance at Manado Town Square, Indonesia, and proposes an instructional application. Methods: The case draws on 2025 building records, system specifications, field observations and reported electrical-load measurements. Cooling capacity, power, coefficient of performance (COP) and energy figures were examined descriptively; the engineering evidence was translated into proposed STEM learning objectives, tasks and assessment criteria. No educational intervention occurred. Results: Reported nominal/calculated chiller COP values were 3.8 (air-cooled) and 5.2 (water-cooled); calculated system COP values were 3.455 and 4.523, respectively. A separate author-reported scenario implies 28.8% lower monthly electricity consumption, but cannot be independently reconciled with section-level records. Consequently, the associated IDR 5.184 billion annual savings and 2.3–2.9-year simple payback remain conditional illustrations rather than verified comparative outcomes. Conclusion: The dataset provides a potentially valuable critical-data-analysis case for integrated STEM education; both comparative engineering estimates and educational effectiveness require further validation.