What climate conditions affect the atmosphere inside your building? Indoor air quality is, without a doubt, one of the most important factors you will need to monitor while you strive to keep your business open. Even with reduced capacities being enforced, prioritizing occupant comfort and health is still a significant part of ensuring that all of your guests, visitors, and employees feel safe under your roof.
How Dehumidification Works
The cooling and dehumidification process is the one method that is most commonly used. Cooling coils are a vital part of this process; however, they must be set at a temperature below that of the airstream’s dew point. Moisture collects as condensation on the coil, at which point it is removed from the air itself. This technique is used so often because it is so simple – and it also means that more sophisticated means of removing humidity, such as desiccant dehumidification, secondary direct cooling expansion, and low-temperature chilled water units are not considered as necessary as they would otherwise be. However, the HVAC design team needs to have some collaboration with the architects and installation contractors who help to arrange the building envelope.
Balancing Proper Design Conditions
Another common humidity control solution involves balancing proper design conditions within the structure itself. ASHRAE 90.1-2013 defines over half of the United States as a “moist climate” while almost a quarter of it can be considered a “humid” climate. The cooling and heating seasons both have different demands, and although the heating season is in full effect until the end of February, it won’t be long until preparations for the spring will become of paramount importance again. Building occupants, managers, and owners should all come together to discuss temperatures and humidity levels within their buildings and offices. Then engineers can calculate the proper heating and cooling loads to help maintain humidity and comfortable levels. This is mainly because there needs to be some humidity in the air – even in the frigid temperatures of December – and also because it will affect the sizing of the HVAC system that needs to be installed, maintained, or upgraded.
The Problem of Sub-Cooling
You will also have to unravel how to solve the problem of sub-cooling. How does sub-cooling happen? It is when the cooling operation goes below the design temperature setpoint. Turndown of supply airflow, lack of reheat, and lower-than-expected heat gain all contribute to this issue.
Crockett Facilities Can Help!
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is committed to helping building owners, property managers, engineers, and facility professionals navigate the post-COVID-19 environment. We can develop a cost-effective, customized program for your building that will mitigate the potential health risks of COVID-19. Click Here to Request a Quote
To learn more about the importance of reopening your building safely, please contact us at 202.600.2787 or mford@crockett-facilities.com. Our PM contract customers receive priority service with 24/7 emergency service in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!