economiser for climate zone 1

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Is it just me, or is does it seem terrifically wasteful that a climate 1
building doesn't require an economiser? Or am I missing something?

KR / Chris

Chris Yates2's picture
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I'm more agnostic about this. ASHRAE Climate Zone 1 (Miami) is very hot as well as humid.
Hopefully, there was some analysis done showing that economizers are not cost-effective
under such climate regimes.

Joe Huang

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Chris,
More warm weather = less available cooling from outdoor air = less justification for spending money to install economizer controls.
p.s., You must provide minimum outdoor air for ventilation, but need not also cool with outdoor air

James V Dirkes II, PE, BEMP, LEED AP

James V Dirkes II, PE's picture
Joined: 2011-10-02
Reputation: 203

Hi Joe,

1a I understand. But we are looking at a 1b location (Hot/ Dry). Surely the
best approach would be economiser with DB control?

Curiously, in my copy (90.1 2007) economisers are not required in *1b
*(table G3.1.2.6A).
However, the following table (G3.1.2.6B) denotes that economiser high limit
shutoff should be 75degF for *1b*.

Am I missing something fundamental about the physics of non-extant
economisers?

Chris

Chris Yates2's picture
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Thanks Jim,

So your understanding is that a mixing box still exists, but the control
that varies outdoor air rate doesn't exist. It is in effect a fixed outdoor
air rate.

??

Many thanks

Chris

Chris Yates2's picture
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Correct.

James V Dirkes II, PE, BEMP, LEED AP

James V Dirkes II, PE's picture
Joined: 2011-10-02
Reputation: 203

Great. A minor conundrum remains, quoting:

*"Curiously, in my copy (90.1 2007) economisers are not required for
1b (table G3.1.2.6A).
However, the following table (G3.1.2.6B) denotes that economiser high limit
shutoff should be 75degF for 1b."*
*
*
Chris

Chris Yates2's picture
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Who knows?
However, and until corrected by another who knows better, I would follow the instruction to leave out an economizer in Climate Zone 1b because it seems consistent with the pattern for warmer climates. My guess is that a zealous engineer mistakenly populated the table (6B) for that zone.

James V Dirkes II, PE, BEMP, LEED AP

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Joined: 2011-10-02
Reputation: 203