ATU Boxes: Energy Efficiency, Air Leakage and ASHRAE 90.

1
by John Gierzak, P.E.

Rev: 04/21/2012

Goals Today
ATU Terminology ATU Types

ATU Motors
ATU w/ECM Selection Sweet Spot ATU Box Leakage Casing/Valve

ASHRAE 90.1 Requirements

AHRI Response

ATU Terminology
ATU = air terminal unit VAV Box = ATU ATU inlet valve = damper Primary air = air from AHU that enters through inlet valve Plenum air = air from ceiling space that enters ATU through induction port (fan powered boxes)

Inlet flow sensor + pressure transducer + controller = knowing flow rate through primary

ATU Terminology
ATU inlet valve = damper Primary air = air from AHU that enters through inlet valve

Primary Air

Inlet valve

ATU Box Types

Non Fan Powered Single-duct (controls cfm)

Dual-duct (controls cfm and temperature)

Fan powered Series boxes (on all the time)

Parallel boxes (fan on during heating demand)

ATU Box Types

Single-Duct
AHU air

Dual-Duct
Mixing Downstream

Cold deck Hot deck

Series

Parallel
Plenum air AHU air

Cool Primary Air

Warm Plenum Air

Fan ON all the time Energy Savings: 1) 2) Reduce ATU motor electrical requirements Reduce amount of AHU air leakage

Fan ON in heating

ATU Motor Types - PSC

6-pole = 1075 rpm max

AC power in

550 min rpm (vertical) 400 min rpm (horizontal)

Sleeve bearing

ATU Fan Curve (PSC motor)

ATU Motor Types - ECM

Ball bearings

AC power in

Inverter and electronics Brushless DC motor 200 min rpm 1400+ max rpm ECMs are programmed

Programming ECMs

Laboratory testing. ECM is taught relationship between rpm, torque, airflow and external static pressure. ECM is programmed. ECM is specific to the ATU.

T A1 RPM A 2 RPMA 3 CFMA 4

ATU Fan Curve (ECM)

10 VDC (100%)
100

2 VDC (0%)
000

ECM Factory Set Airflow

000

%PWM 0 10

Flow Rate (cfm) 650 825

20
30 40 50 60

1000
1175 1350 1525 1700

70
80
100

1875
2050 2225 2400

90 100

So how efficient are ECMs?

Energy Usage - PSC vs. ECM

Measure Watts vs. CFM for Air Terminal Unit

Test VAV Energy Usage (PSC vs ECM)

Watts/cfm vs. Outlet Ps

Outlet Ps
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 Average:

Average Watts/CFM PSC

0.44 0.44 0.45 0.43 0.44 0.43

ECM
0.09 0.17 0.20 0.22 0.25 0.27

0.44

0.20

0.25

0.25

ATUs with ECM Bottom Line

Series boxes best application (Fan ON all the time) Select ATU where cfmdesign < 75% of ATU cfmmax

ATU Leakage

ATU Leakage Single and Dual-Duct

Casing Leakage

Valve Leakage

ATU Leakage Series Box

ATU Leakage Parallel Box

Inlet Valve Leakage

Casing Leakage

Backdraft Damper Leakage (shut)

ATUs ASHRAE Research

Leakage of Parallel ATUs was Significant Up to 30%!

Forced Manufacturers to Design Better Box

ASHRAE 90.1 Now

2010 Addendum cq Ductwork and plenums = Seal Class A Round and rectangular duct: Leakage Class 4 Test 25% of all duct over 3 in.wg. Test 25% of outdoor duct

ASHRAE 90.1 - Future

Single and Dual-duct VAV box leakage requirements Efficiency requirements for fractional hp motors

ASHRAE 90.1 - Future

Single and Dual-duct VAV box leakage requirements

AHRI Certification ATU Leakage

AHRI requires certified leakage ratings
Casing leakage for single-duct ATUs at 0.5 in.wg. Damper leakage for single-duct ATUs at 1 in.wg.
Casing leakage for dual-duct ATUs at 1 in.wg. Damper leakage for dual-duct ATUs at 6 in.wg.

Summary
ATU w/ECM efficiency far exceeds standard ATU boxes Series ATU best suited for ECM option

Select ATU w/ECM at up to 75% box capacity

Pre-2010 Parallel box backdraft damper leakage is significant! ASHRAE 90.1
Does not cover fractional hp motors Will have single and dual-duct casing and inlet valve leakage limits Added casing and valve leakage to the VAV Certification program

AHRI

For a copy of PowerPoint: www.oriflow.com/nebb.htm