Field Evaluation of Desiccant-Integrated HVAC Systems: A Review of Case Studies in Multiple Commercial/Institutional Building Types

Abstract

An independent field research effort co-funded by the Gas Research Institute and The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory is documenting the performance and energy usage characteristics of active desiccant-integrated HVAC systems at a variety of commercial and institutional facilities. The tests comprise the instrumentation and one-year-plus monitoring of two or more nearly identical sites, one serving as the test site and the others as base-case or control sites. While the research program is ongoing, work completed in two market sectors, retail and lodging, indicates that there are significant comfort control, energy usage and equipment efficiency benefits to be derived from integrating desiccant units into HVAC system design to handle latent and sensible loads independently. In some cases, installed first costs associated with including desiccant units may be lower if the HVAC system is optimized to take advantage of reduced conventional cooling equipment requirements and downsized ductwork In most cases, lower energy consumption and/or reduced energy costs may provide reasonable payback of first cost premiums.