Energy conservation and acceptable indoor air quality in the classroom

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1992 · ASHRAE Journal (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers); (United States)

OSTI ID:5531763

Wheeler, A E ^[1]

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1. Wheeler Engineering, Towson, MD (US)

The Ventilation Rate Procedure, as found in ASHRAE Standard 62-1989, increases outdoor air ventilation rates over the previous standard for many applications. Few are likely to be affected more decidedly than the school classroom. When the standard's estimated maximum occupancy is combined with the ventilation rate, the outdoor air supply to a classroom is 0.75 cfm per ft{sup 2} of floor space. This rate can be more than half of the total air supply needed for cooling. Moreover, this rate is also the minimum permissible total air flow as well as the outdoor air component. Thus, variable air volume (VAV) terminals are limited to a 2:1 turndown ratio or less. To avoid overcooling when cooling loads are less than 50% of design, reheat is necessary. In most American climates, preheat will also be required. Consternation over increased energy use and heating and cooling capacity requirements for schools appears to be well-founded. This paper reports that to analyze this concern, national and state statistical data describing class size and other parameters were examined. In addition, characteristics of general studies classrooms and the HVAC systems that serve them were surveyed in Maryland public elementary and secondary schools.

• OSTI ID: 5531763
• Journal Information: ASHRAE Journal (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers); (United States), Vol. 34:4; ISSN 0001-2491
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
AIR QUALITY
COOLING
MARYLAND
RECOMMENDATIONS
STATISTICAL DATA
SURVEYS
VENTILATION
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
VOLUME
DATA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
INFORMATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
USA
320106* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Building Equipment- (1987-)