HONOLULU, HI — How well can various HVAC technologies maintain proper space humidity while meeting the ventilation requirements of Standard 62? The topic has been approved for research by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

The project was approved at ASHRAE’s 2002 Annual Meeting, held here in Honolulu. The society approved five research projects totaling $651,156, in the areas of energy conservation, indoor air quality, comfort and health, and fire and safety.

The increased ventilation air requirements in ASHRAE Standard 62-1999, “Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality,” significantly increase dehumidification loads in many commercial buildings, according to Technical Committee 7.6, Unitary Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps, which oversees the project.

“In some applications, conventional unitary systems are reportedly unable to adequately meet these moisture loads and maintain acceptable space humidity levels,” stated the society. “Various new technologies, systems, and approaches are being proposed or used to meet these increased loads.”

The project will compare humidity-control options, as well as climate, application, and operating conditions where such options should be considered, in order to develop general humidity-control guidelines.

The research project is 1254-TRP, “Evaluating the Ability of Unitary Equipment to Maintain Adequate Space Humidity Levels; Phase II: Simulations, Summary, and Development of Guidelines.” The principal investigator is Michael Witte, Ph.D., with GARD Analytics in Park Ridge, IL. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete, at a cost of $109,000. Phase I of the project was previously approved.

For more information, contact ASHRAE, 1791 Tullie Circle N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329; 800-527-4723 or 404-636-8400; 404-321-5478 (fax); www.ashrae.org (website).

Publication date: 07/29/2002