AN INTEGRATED OUTSIDE AIR CONTROL OF AIR HANDLING UNITS IN OFFICE BUILDINGS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

An air handling unit (AHU) along with the downstream terminals is considered as the primary independent thermal processing and air distribution system in buildings. However, this AHU oriented practice limits the utilization of heat surplus in building regions and operation difference across the AHUs. To improve the energy efficiency, based on zoned AHU, this paper proposes an integrated outside air (OA) control of AHU in office buildings with open space. The theory is revealed and demonstrated by providing: 1. a mathematic model and deduction of OA constraints for an acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ); 2. an integrated OA schedule of the new AHU operation; 3. an hourly simulation-based performance evaluation. With the technology, about 176,400 kWh theimal energy can be saved annually in the case building. This innovation is easy to implement as an improved control in new, or as a Continuous Commissioning measures in existing office buildings.