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Energy Cost and IAQ Performance of Ventilation Systems and Controls Study
 

EPA-4-2-S-01-001
January 2000

 In 1999, EPA completed an extensive modeling study to assess the compatibilities and trade-offs between energy, indoor air quality, and thermal comfort objectives for HVAC systems, and to help formulate strategies to simultaneously achieve superior performance on each objective. Variations of Constant Volume (CV) and Variable Air Volume (VAV) HVAC systems were modeled in three different climates-hot and humid (Miami), temperate (Washington D.C.), and cold (Minneapolis). Buildings included several variations of an office building, plus a school, and an auditorium.

This study addressed three major issues:

  1. How well can commonly used HVAC systems and controls be relied upon to satisfy generally accepted indoor air quality standards for HVAC systems when they are operated according to design specifications?
  2. What is the energy cost associated with meeting ASHRAE indoor air quality performance standards for HVAC systems?
  3. How much energy reduction would have to be sacrificed in order to maintain minimum acceptable indoor air quality performance of HVAC systems in the course of energy efficiency projects?

Documentation of the study is contained in the Executive Summary along with 7 individual detailed reports all provided here in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.  The seven project reports plus the executive summary are also contained in the Indoor Air Quality Building Education and Assessment Model (I-BEAM).  You can also order each of these reports separately ask for the EPA Document numbers listed below (see how to order EPA documents).

Contents

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page

Executive Summary PDF (37 pp, 130KB) EPA Document number EPA-4-2-S-01-001

Project Reports

  1. Project Objectives and Methodology - Project Report 1 PDF (35 pp, 111KB) EPA Document number EPA-4-2-S-01-001A
     
  2. Assessment of CV and VAV Ventilation Systems and Outdoor Air Control Strategies for Large Office Buildings -- Outdoor Air Flow Rates and Energy Uses - Project Report 2 PDF (40 pp, 113KB) EPA Document number EPA-4-2-S-01-001B
     
  3. Assessment of CV and VAV Ventilation Systems and Outdoor Air Control Strategies for Large Office Buildings-- Zonal Distribution of Outdoor Air and Thermal Comfort Control - Project Report 3 PDF (31 pp, 219KB) EPA Document number EPA-4-2-S-01-001C
     
  4. Energy Impacts of Increasing Outdoor Air Flow Rates from 5 to 20 cfm per Occupant in Large Office Buildings - Project Report 4 PDF (22 pp, 94KB) EPA Document number EPA-4-2-S-01-001D
     
  5. Peak Load Impacts of Increasing Outdoor Air Flow Rates from 5 to 20 cfm per Occupant in Large Office Buildings - Project Report 5 PDF (17 pp, 74KB) EPA Document number EPA-4-2-S-01-001E
     
  6. Potential Problems in IAQ and Energy Performance of HVAC Systems When Outdoor Air Flow Rates Are Increased from 5 to 15 cfm per Occupant in Education Buildings, Auditoriums, and Other Very High Occupant Density Buildings - Project Report 6 PDF (41 pp, 140KB) EPA Document number EPA-4-2-S-01-001F
     
  7. The Impact of Energy Efficiency Strategies on Energy Use, Thermal Comfort, and Outdoor Air Flow Rates in Commercial Buildings - Project Report 7 PDF (20 pp, 80KB) EPA Document number EPA-4-2-S-01-001G

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