Working with Active and Passive Beams in Cold Climates
For applications in climates that require a significant amount of heating, owners, engineers and contractors often wonder if chilled beams are an appropriate choice for their projects. Since the “chilled” part of the chilled beam name only specifies cooling, can you also produce heat with a chilled beam?
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Topics:
Beams,
Induction,
Thermal Comfort,
HVAC Fundamentals,
Engineering,
Design Engineering
Exploring the Inner Workings of Mechanical VAV Diffusers
In a previous blog post, we discussed variable air volume (VAV) diffusers and how these simple devices create small-zone comfort. VAV diffusers are available in two basic types: mechanical (thermal) and digital (electric). In this post, we take a closer look at the mechanical version, which requires no electrical or pneumatic connections and is powered by the temperature of the air.
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Topics:
GRD,
Diffusers,
Thermal Comfort,
HVAC Fundamentals,
HVAC,
Engineering,
Design Engineering
An Energy-Efficient Solution for Small-Zone Control
A variable air volume (VAV) diffuser is essentially a ceiling diffuser with a built-in VAV damper and thermostat. Despite its simplicity, this device comes with many benefits and is an effective way to create small-zone comfort for building occupants.
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Topics:
GRD,
Diffusers,
Thermal Comfort,
HVAC Fundamentals,
HVAC,
Engineering,
Design Engineering
Energy Efficient Ventilation Effectiveness and Thermal Comfort
Displacement ventilation provides low velocity air at around 65°F that relies on buoyancy forces to drive the air motion. Supply air spreads across the floor until encountering thermal plumes from heat sources that naturally drive the clean, conditioned air up through the breathing zone. Heat and particulate are carried up to high-level return or exhaust grilles instead of getting recycled through the space. The result is high ventilation effectiveness and improved thermal comfort delivered in an energy efficient manner.
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Topics:
Displacement,
Thermal Comfort,
HVAC Fundamentals,
HVAC,
Engineering,
Design Engineering,
Tech Tip
Perimeter offerings that provide flexibility and efficiency
The future of commercial office design faces a number of challenges, including a shift away from densely occupied open office concepts and a heightened concern for occupant health. North America continues to adopt newer energy codes that task design firms to further reduce energy consumption. In addition, indoor air quality (IAQ) has arguably become a principal element of building design.
Although several air distribution systems can be designed to succeed at both of these elements, underfloor air distribution (UFAD) offers significant flexibility and IAQ improvements over traditional air distribution approaches. While the interior zone design has changed little over the years, the perimeter offering has evolved significantly.
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Topics:
Underfloor,
Thermal Comfort,
HVAC Fundamentals,
HVAC,
Design Engineering,
Tech Tip