Wind and its effect on HVAC design

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996 · Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning

OSTI ID:264192

Gatlin, J W ^[1]

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1. Thompson Engineers, Inc., Memphis, TN (United States)

This article examines how the wind affects HVAC and process requirements for intake and exhaust air for buildings. Wind pressure and flow characteristics around buildings may be the least considered parameter in HVAC design. HVAC designers tend to concentrate on heat gain, heat loss, humidification, dehumidification, ventilation air, exhaust air, air rate changes, IAQ, etc., and seldom consider the role wind plays in each of these areas. Consider the following wind-generated effects on an HVAC system: (1) Wind flow into buildings affects the ability to control environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and airborne contaminants. (2) Wind flow pressures against buildings affect interior pressures, intake and exhaust air flow rates, and infiltration and exfiltration air quantities. (3) Wind flow patterns around buildings and turbulence of wind passing over buildings can cause recirculation of the buildings` own exhaust gases and the local automotive traffic exhaust gases, thereby contaminating the entire building HVAC system. (4) Wind flow patterns generated by adjacent buildings or terrain are factors that must also be considered to determine their impact.

• OSTI ID: 264192
• Journal Information: Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning, Journal Name: Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 68; ISSN HPAOAM; ISSN 0017-940X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
DESIGN
KINETIC ENERGY
OFFICE BUILDINGS
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
VELOCITY
WIND