Rethinking Sizing Hospital/Laboratory Air Handlers as an Energy Conservation Measure
Paul Banks, P.E., CEM, CBCP, LEED AP®, B2Q Associates, Inc.
Most MEP firms size the air handlers to have a face velocity of 500 feet per minute (fpm). Arthur E. Wheeler, P.E., conducted a thorough examination of the optimal face velocity of an air handling unit (AHU) and published his results in the February 2009 ASHRAE Journal. He took into account first costs, operating cost, interest rates on invested capital, inflation rate, desired payback, and equipment life. He concluded that the optimal face velocity for an AHU that had 3120 annual run hours is 300 fpm. Considering that AHU's have a typical life of at least 20 years, lowering their operating economics should be given careful consideration.
B2Q Associates Inc. has worked with National Grid (a Massachusetts electric and gas utility) and two of its hospital customers to evaluate the energy economics of sizing air handlers at a lower face velocity by increasing the cabinet and component size. This paper summarizes Mr. Wheeler's study and then presents the economics of two case studies including the impact of the utility's participation in the projects.
Biography:
Paul Banks is a founding partner of B2Q, an engineering/project management consulting firm located in the Boston area. B2Q specializes in assisting facility owners, developers, contractors and design team professionals in achieving their goals in the design, construction, and commissioning of safe, efficient, and productive buildings. Prior to founding B2Q, Mr. Banks served as CEO of Vanderweil Engineers, a leading mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering firm specializing in the design of new and retrofit building systems for large commercial and industrial projects. Mr. Banks led Vanderweil's Facility Services Group, which provided masterplanning, as well as the design and commissioning of utility infrastructure, energy, central plant, and MEP building systems.