The subject here is energy savings But the designer must never forget: The primary purpose of HVAC for the building occupants is comfort Fortunately Comfort and energy savings go hand in hand with VAV systems
Company Introduction – A History of Innovation
1978 – Acutherm founded on January 17, 1978 Invented Thermally Powered VAV. First factory in Novato, California
1979 – First Thermally Powered VAV diffusers shipped in February First complete building with thermally Powered VAV diffusers 630 K Street - Sacramento, CA.
1981 – First large Thermally Powered VAV diffuser job. 767 Third Avenue, NY (1200+ TF-CW) (Still operating with no repair or replacement due to failure)
1984 – Plant moves to Hayward, CA Developed First Disc-Type Therma-Fuser Diffusers
2008 – 30th Anniversary Our products are proudly manufactured in the US
HVAC – General thoughts
HVAC – General thoughts
Year after year, BOMA and IFMA studies report hot and cold calls as the first and second most occupant complaints.
2009 study IFMA
BOMA: Building Owners and Managers Association IFMA: International Facility Management Association
Comfort: VAV box vs. Therma-Fuser™ systems
High load in reference room with the thermostat 11:00am
Air volume changes to regulate this room temperature
Boss calls a team meeting
68º
65º
65º
72º
Other spaces within the zone suffer -> overcooling
68º
Comfort: VAV box vs. Therma-Fuser™ systems
Countermeasure:
Replace VAV box with Therma-Fuser™ diffusers
72º
72º
72º
72º
Therma-Fuser™ diffusers provide a thermostat for each space
72º
Comfort: VAV box vs. Therma-Fuser™ systems
72º
72º
72º
72º
Therma-Fuser™ diffusers provide a thermostat for each space
72º
Comfort: VAV box vs. Therma-Fuser™ systems
72º
72º
72º
72º
Therma-Fuser™ diffusers provide a thermostat for each space
72º
Comfort: VAV box vs. Therma-Fuser™ systems
72º
72º
72º
72º
Therma-Fuser™ diffusers provide a thermostat for each space
72º
Comfort: VAV box vs. Therma-Fuser™ systems
72º
72º
72º
72º
This allows for individual occupant comfort
72º
Comfort: VAV box vs. Therma-Fuser™ systems
Continuous self adjustment to the required air volume 11:00am Boss calls a team meeting
70º
72º
74º
72º
The temperature remain constant – adjusting to the inevitable load changes
72º
Comfort: VAV box vs. Therma-Fuser™ systems
VAV diffuser A diffuser with the VAV damper and thermostat built in. Individual control
Comfort: Superior Air Distribution
100% Load – Design Conditions
Good Room Air Movement
Good Room Air Movement
Comfort: Superior Air Distribution
25% Load – Actual Conditions
Dumping
ARI standard and IPLV defintion std. 1998 %Load 100% 75% 50% 25%
Variable opening = Constant discharge velocity Coanda effect (no dumping) Wide throw Excellent entrainment Excellent air mixing High ADPI (Air Diffusion Performance Index) Less stratification in heating Excellent room air change effectiveness at design and turndown
Comfort: Superior Air Distribution
VAV diffuser?
Superior air distribution
A diffuser with the VAV damper and thermostat built in. Individual control
Comfort: Superior Air Distribution
VAV diffuser?
Superior air distribution
A diffuser with the VAV damper and thermostat built in. Individual control
Comfort!
How does a Therma-Fuser™ work?
A diffuser with the VAV damper and thermostat built in
Low static pressure. Max 0.25”wg, min 0.05”wg
Model TF
How does a Therma-Fuser™ work?
Acutherm thermostat actuators are a more robust version of those used in jet engines
How does a Therma-Fuser™ work?
Heating & Cooling Thermostats
Diffusion Blades
Control Plate
Basic unit – no wiring or pneumatic connections required Low to no maintenance
How does a Therma-Fuser™ work?
Better average room temperature sensing
Why to use it? Lowest Energy VAV Terminal 35%-57% ENERGY SAVINGS C. A. Pieper Consulting Engineers VAV Box vs. Therma-Fuser System Multi-room zoning vs. individual room zoning GSA (General Services Administration) occupancy schedule
15%-47% ENERGY SAVINGS Rumsey Engineers VAV Box vs. Therma-Fuser System Large VAV zones vs. small VAV zones Medium pressure vs. low pressure
UP TO 23% ENERGY SAVINGS Basset Consulting Engineers VAV Box vs. Therma-Fuser System 9%-13% energy savings Active chilled Beam vs. Therma-Fuser System up to 23% energy savings
Why to use it? LEED Possibilities
Standard Refrigeration LEED Platinum NC v2.1 Optimize Energy – ALL 10 CREDITS
StopWaste.Org LEED Platinum NC v2.2 Optimize Energy – ALL 10 CREDITS 45% better than CA Title 24
Adobe Systems Inc. East Tower LEED Platinum EB v2.0 Optimize Energy – ALL 10 CREDITS Energy Star
Why to use it? Lowest cost per zone of control Nuvelo TI
Pneumatic VAV Boxes $79.3k Box + Tstat $18.8k Diffusers $20.7k Duct Work $118.8k Total Therma-Fuser System $18.3 Box + Tstat $33.9 TF Diffusers $30.9 Duct work $83.1 Total 30% initial cost savings with the Therma-Fuser™ System
Customer benefits
Higher Comfort
Superior air distribution, longer throws, no dumping, more entrainment
Even temperature distribution, higher ADPI (Air Diffusion Performance Index) and better ventilation effectiveness
Better average room temperature sensing
Sustainability
Lowest cost per zone of control
Lowest Energy VAV Systems => 15% to 47% better than VAV Box Systems
Contributes to LEED certifications with up to 26 points
Low to no maintenance – 10 year warranty
Easily installs and adapts to building or office changes More then 2,000,000 installations worldwide
