Commissioning Lessons from Study of the Advanced Systems at the CMU Intelligent Workplace

Abstract

A detailed study has been conducted of the performance of several innovative aspects of the Intelligent Workplace (IW) at Carnegie Mellon University, a low energy consumption building that uses radiant heating, cooling and a desiccant ventilation unit. The following aspects have been studied in detail: the heat transfer process of radiant mullions and overhead radiant panels, the impact of the radiator position on heating load and thermal comfort, the influence of infiltration on indoor humidity in a radiantly cooled office with a solid desiccant ventilation unit, and an energy consumption comparison of the sensible heating and cooling systems with a single duct VAV system. This report summarizes the conclusions and observations relevant to commissioning of such buildings.