3811 Neptune, Galveston, TX 77554 – City of Galveston – Manual J

The purpose of this research is to develop and validate an integrated humidity and ventilation control solution to improve indoor air quality, comfort, and energy performance for low-load homes in hot-humid and mixed-humid climates. The solution strategy is to coordinate the cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation functions of central HVAC systems to capture energy savings while improving ventilation effectiveness and comfort. This includes re-evaluating the AC systems to optimize dehumidification during part-load conditions (enhanced dehumidification), developing a control strategy to integrate supply-type ventilation prioritized to operate during on-cycles (prioritized ventilation), and developing metrics to quantify system performance including energy savings and cost-effectiveness.

The results of this project will simplify the transition to high-performance ventilation and humidity control systems. By relying on the central system as a starting point, the strategy will allow for optimization across key metrics to a degree that is not possible with alternatives. To enable standardization and broad industry impact, a secondary equipment rating based on latent load efficiency will be proposed.

• Conducted house test design reviews of Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) manual J/S/D with Wrightsoft and HVAC partners
• Developed ventilation protocol with Aprilaire
• Commissioned and instrumented systems at 3 test homes: Houston 1-stage and 2-stage AC, Savannah 1-stage HP
• Developed enhanced dehumidification protocols/controls with Goodman partner

For more information, project presentations, and related publications, visit the Advanced HVAC Humidity Control for Hot-Humid Climates web page.