Use Air-side Economizers in HVAC Systems
Airside economizers are a type of HVAC system that can enhance energy efficiency and contribute to pollution control. These systems utilize the existing outdoor conditions to supplement indoor requirements.
The working principle of an air-side economizer is to determine whether to use external air to supplement the HVAC system’s operation based on indoor requirements and outdoor air conditions. If the external air is cooler than the indoor air and there are cooling needs, the economizer uses the outdoor air to cool the indoor air, reducing the refrigeration load. Conversely, suppose the indoor requirements are heating, and the external air is hotter than the indoor air. In that case, the economizer uses the external hot air to heat indoor air, reducing the heating load of the HVAC system. Ultimately, this helps reduce energy consumption and pollution.
Airside economizers have been applied in various climates. However, while they offer numerous benefits, their performance is influenced by the Air Quality Index (AQI). Therefore, it’s recommended to incorporate controls that consider the AQI when using airside economizers.
Integrating air-side economizers in HVAC systems presents a practical and effective approach to pollution prevention. These devices can significantly reduce energy consumption and associated environmental impact by intelligently utilizing outdoor air conditions. Nevertheless, their deployment should be carefully considered, considering factors such as local climate and air quality.
Sources
- https://www.trane.com/content/dam/Trane/Commercial/global/products-systems/education-training/engineers-newsletters/airside-design/ADM-APN054-EN_05202015.pdf
- https://www.trane.com/content/dam/Trane/Commercial/global/products-systems/education-training/engineers-newsletters/airside-design/admapn020en-0406.pdf