IAQ & Ventilation

The Role of Fan Efficiency in Reducing Energy Use

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:39:00 +0000

By MICHAEL BRENDEL, PhD; Lau Industries; Dayton, Ohio

How the new fan-efficiency requirement in ASHRAE 90.1-2013 will work with the standard’s fan-power limitation

Expected in the fall, the 2013 version of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, will include a new fan-efficiency requirement based on ANSI/AMCA Standard 205-12, Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. This article explores the role fan efficiency plays in Standard 90.1, with specific attention paid to how the new fan-efficiency requirement will work with the standard’s fan-power limitation.

Titus HVAC Introduces Weekly Video Podcasts

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:24:00 +0000

Titus HVAC, provider of air-management products and design tools, recently announced the Titus Timeout series of weekly video podcasts.

Carrier Offering Energy Assessments for Schools, Commercial Buildings

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:48:00 +0000

Carrier, provider of high-technology heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration solutions, recently introduced energy-assessment programs for K-12 schools and small- to mid-size commercial buildings.

ASHRAE Publishes Second Edition of Hospital HVAC Design Manual

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:22:00 +0000

A newly published manual from ASHRAE provides guidance pertaining to health-care HVAC for mechanical and consulting engineers, designers, architects, facility managers, infection-control personnel, maintenance staffers, contractors, developers, and code accreditation and licensure officials.

Fans Provide Energy-Efficient and Low-Maintenance Way to Exhaust Air

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:59:00 +0000

By GREENHECK FAN CORP.

Fans linked to BMS for occupancy-based control

Located on the campus of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., the Refinery is a two-story, 45,000-sq-ft building that includes dining and kitchen facilities, a theater, game rooms, an 800-seat auditorium, a full-court basketball gymnasium, a half-court practice area, three classrooms, and a multipurpose room for recreation and business meetings. To save energy, Craig Hofferber of engineering firm H & P Systems Inc. wanted to vary ventilation rates based on time of day and room occupancy. The main challenge was finding a cost-effective fan that could run at multiple speeds.

Air Infiltration: The Hidden Energy Efficiency

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:47:00 +0000

By Nate Gillette, AIA, LEED AP, CEM; Energy Finance Analytics LLC; Grand Rapids, Mich.

Standards—and architects’ and engineers’ responsibilities—are changing

Air infiltration long has been a little-understood or even ignored factor when it comes to energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Engineers understand it exists, but tolerate its existence by simply accounting for it in heating- and cooling-system design.

ASHRAE Publishes Revised Filtration Standard

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:15:00 +0000

ASHRAE recently announced the publication of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2012, Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size, which incorporates the arrestance and dust-holding-capacity sections of Standard 52.1, Gravimetric and Dust Spot Procedures for Testing Air Cleaning Devices Used in General Ventilation for Removing Particulate Matter, which was withdrawn in 2009.

Dedicated Outdoor Air, Energy Recovery Rise to School’s Ventilation Challenge

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:44:00 +0000

By GREENHECK FAN CORP.

System prevents recurrence of serious mold issues

One might not expect mold problems in the arid Arizona climate, but from mid-July through September, the city of Yuma experiences “monsoon season.”

Duct-Sealing Technology Eliminates Leaks at Ultraluxurious Condominiums

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:12:00 +0000

By AEROSEAL

Internal sealing process reduces leakage by 90 percent

Using an aerosol sealant to seal ductwork from the inside saved a luxurious condominium complex thousands of dollars in project costs while proving minimally disruptive to residents.

Commissioning Uncovers Opportunity for Energy Savings

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:37:00 +0000

By KEVIN KOSS, PE, LEED AP; ACS; Madison, WIS.

Seek out artificial inefficiencies in HVAC systems, and it is likely you will find them

Building commissioning agents owe their clients the attention required to fine-tune their heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems.