Energy Conservation Benefits of a Dedicated Outdoor Air System with Parallel Sensible Cooling by Ceiling Radiant Panels

Abstract

Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) integrated with ceiling radiant cooling panels as a parallel sensible cooling system are being considered as an alternative to conventional variable air volume (VAV) systems for commercial buildings because of their energy conservation, first and operating costs, and indoor air quality advantages. A pilot DOAS/radiant panel cooling system is being constructed on a university campus to investigate its advantages over alternative cooling systems in a real application. Prior to the actual operation of the pilot system, the energy conservation potential of the DOAS/radiant cooling panel system relative to a VAV system with air-side economizer control was estimated. Hourly energy simulation predicts that the annual electrical energy consumption of the pilot DOAS/radiant panel cooling system is 42% less than that of the conventional VAV system with air-side economizer.