Rooftop Units Reducing School's Operating Costs, Environmental Impact

Oct. 1, 2010
AAON2425 S. Yukon Ave.Tulsa, OK 74107918-583-2266www.aaon.comCircle 70 At Eagle Mountain Elementary School in Fort Worth, Texas, older HVAC units were

AAON
2425 S. Yukon Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74107
918-583-2266
www.aaon.com
Circle 70

At Eagle Mountain Elementary School in Fort Worth, Texas, older HVAC units were noisy and not very energy-efficient.

AAON provided 60 RQ Series (available from 2 to 6 tons) and six RN Series (available from 6 to 70 tons) geothermal-heat-pump rooftop units to Eagle Mountain Elementary School. Operating as single-zone variable-air-volume (VAV) rooftop units with a high-efficiency variable-capacity compressor and variable-speed fan, the geothermal heat pumps provide significant energy savings.

Single-zone VAV systems provide significant energy savings and are quieter and provide better humidity control than traditional constant-volume units. The Eagle Mountain Elementary School units include air-side economizers so cool outside air can be used when practical. This provides even greater energy savings. All of the units include a factory-installed 115-V convenience outlet for easy maintenance.

When teachers and students returned to school after summer vacation, they noticed a quieter and more comfortable classroom environment. The variable-speed fan provides a reduction in classroom noise, while the single-zone VAV units precisely control the temperature of the classrooms. Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District was able to significantly reduce the school's total energy usage. The geothermal heat pump provides significant energy savings year-round, while the single-zone VAV system provides significant energy at part-load conditions. The operation of the geothermal heat pump in the single-zone VAV configuration with an air-side economizer allows Eagle Mountain-Saginaw to significantly reduce the school's environmental impact and operational costs.