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DUALCOOL HYBRID ROOFTOP UNIT FIELD TEST
HVAC Energy Efficiency Case Study
The Western Cooling Efficiency Center tested a new hybrid rooftop unit technology that employs dual evaporative pre-cooling to increase the cooling capacity and efficiency of vapor compression cooling. Three 12.5 ton Trane Voyager units with the DualCool, manufactured by Integrated Comfort, were installed at two different sites in Ontario, CA. This case study highlights the research and observation of this new HVAC system observed over a 14 month period from August 2014-October 2014. The results presented in this case study reflect real world operation for California Climate Zone 10 in September and October 2014.
PROBLEM
Cooling and ventilation account for more that 25% of annual electricity consumption in California commercial buildings and can add up to more than 50% of the summer time peak electrical demand. Conventional rooftop packaged units are predominantly responsible for these large electrical loads in commercial buildings. These systems are inefficient and use a significant amount of energy for unnecessary humidification. Efficiency for these systems must improve in order to reduce energy use, peak demand and CO2 emissions attributed to cooling.
SOLUTION
Hybrid air conditioners, like the variable speed multi-stage rooftop unit with dual-evaporative pre-cooling observed in this study, can significantly reduce overall cooling energy and reduce peak demand energy through a combination of climate appropriate technologies and efficient part-load operation. Previous laboratory testing for this technology demonstrated 43% peak demand savings compared to the stated performance for ASHRAE 90.1 compliant equipment operating in California’s hot-dry conditions. The measured performance qualified this technology for the Western Cooling Challenge – a multiple winner competition hosted by UC Davis that encourages HVAC manufactures to develop air conditioners that reduce peak demand by at least 40% (Woolley 2012).
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