Air Conditioning Ventilation

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Retrofitting an Efficient Air Conditioning Ventilation System in Your Building
You might be surprised to learn that continuously running air distribution fans in your building can use more energy than even chillers or boilers. Traditional constant volume ventilation and air conditioning systems can waste energy by constantly pushing large amounts of air through a small ducts system. Variable-air-volume systems are now available that can supply air conditioning ventilation for your building using 10-20% less energy. Variable-air-volume ventilation and air conditioning systems use less energy because they deliver only the air that’s needed to cool the space. By retrofitting a more efficient ventilation and air conditioning system you can greatly lower your energy consumption.

Variable-Air-Volume Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Variable-air-volume ventilation and air conditioning systems provide much better performance than constant-volume systems by delivering only the air needed to cool the load in each individual room. They work by cooling the air to a constant temperature and then regulating ...
... the air flow to each room based on the need using a variable-air-volume box. While there are gains in efficiency, variable-air-volume air conditioning ventilation systems are also more complex. The variable-air-volume box must properly balance cooling with indoor air flow or the indoor air quality of your space could be at risk. Carefully choose your variable-air-volume air conditioning and ventilation components and be sure to get a maintenance agreement with the HVAC company that’s doing the retrofit to ensure optimal efficiency over time.

Tips on Retrofitting Your Ventilation and Air Conditioning System
The U.S. Department of Energy suggests these energy saving air conditioning ventilation design options if you’re planning either new construction or a major retrofit of your current heating ventilation air conditioning system:

• Improve aerodynamics and air flow by avoiding sharp turns in the duct routing
• Increase the size of ducts to increase air velocity. Small increases in duct width can yield large efficiency improvements by reducing fan speed
• Ask for low-face-velocity air handlers. Air traveling at a reduced speed stays in contact with cooling coils for a greater period of time
• Remove unnecessary ducts and have your heating ventilation air conditioning system facilities management team install a displacement ventilation system that supplies air through a floor plenum
• Replace oversized fans. Your HVAC management team can install electronically controlled fans that adjust to changing building conditions
• Ask about a new technology called Under Floor Air Distribution (UFAD). It involves placing air conditioning ventilation equipment underneath the floor instead of the ceiling area

A major retrofit of your existing heating ventilation air conditioning system can involve a substantial capital investment. But with the right focus on efficient air flow and an ongoing maintenance agreement with a professional HVAC company, you can see a return on that investment in short period of time.

*Information on heating ventilation air conditioning systems provided by the U.S. Department of Energy