The Case of the Wet Filters
By Gerald J. Williams, PE, LEED AP
Investigating the link between wet filters and blow-through air-handling units in health-care and laboratory facilities...[MORE]

The subject of energy-recovery ventilation is filled with myths and disinformation. To be viable in an energy-starved future, HVAC systems must efficiently process ventilation and make productive use of low-grade energy resources ignored or discarded by conventional HVAC strategies. That means air-to-air energy-recovery technologies will be critical and central elements of high-performance HVAC systems that achieve cost-effective "net-zero" building design. As such, they will revolutionize HVAC-system design. Air-to-air energy-recovery technologies take numerous forms, each offering unique capabilities that are superior for specific applications. Each also has unique limitations, and there are challenges to their effective application. The HVAC industry is only beginning to learn how to use these important technologies...[MORE]

Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating
The Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA International) announced that the Board of Standards Review of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) approved ANSI/AMCA Standard 210-07-ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 51-07, Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating. This standard establishes uniform methods for laboratory test of a fan or other air-moving device to determine its aerodynamic performance in terms of airflow rate, pressure developed, power consumption, air density, speed of rotation, and efficiency for rating or guarantee purposes...[MORE]

Nanotechnology Makes Clean, Efficient Conductor
Research teams from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston College have discovered thermoelectric materials that could lead to cleaner, more efficient refrigerators, solar power plants, exhaust systems, and other devices...[MORE]

OSU 4-H Building Designed With Green Blueprints
The Ohio State University (OSU) built a new 4-H center without any air conditioning, running water for its urinals, or a furnace. The 4-H building uses a geothermal system that pumps 5,000 gal. of water through a loop of pipe that stretches through 72 holes drilled 280 ft into the ground. Also, large windows let natural light into 75 percent of the building, and motion sensors control the lights. The building is expected to use 280,750 gal. of water a year with low-flow sink faucets, toilets that adjust water use, and no-water urinals...[MORE]

Chiller Website
ChillerTrader.com features a large online network of chiller and HVAC information. A chiller-and-HVAC-resources portal provides access to chiller and HVAC technical articles, FAQs, formulas, publications, definitions, and industry links. Also available is a free moderated online forum that allows users to interact and participate in chiller and HVAC-related technical discussions...[MORE]

HPAC Engineering Co-Sponsor of Global Engineering Conference
Designed for global consulting and design engineers, Carrier Corp.'s 10th Global Engineering Conference, co-sponsored by HPAC Engineering, will feature new technology and engineering topics in the HVAC industry. The event will focus on designing and building for sustainability and will take place April 9-11 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas...[MORE]