Webinar: Comparing HVAC efficiency

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is holding a webinar on August 8 to compare the energy efficiency of key HVAC systems.

The webinar is based on a world-first research project commissioned by the ARBS Foundation and carried out by Team Catalyst. It involved a comparative dynamic simulation analysis of key system configurations prevalent in Australian buildings: variable air volume (VAV), under floor air distribution (UFAD) and passive chilled beam (PCB). The researchers compared the performance of these systems from an energy efficiency perspective.

“It is the first study where the energy performance of these three systems has been carefully modelled, when applied to the same hypothetical building,” says the GBCA. “It is unique because it has been carried out by experienced practicing engineers, involved in the design, specification and ongoing monitoring of HVAC systems as installed in buildings.

“HVAC systems contribute significantly to energy consumption of a building on an ongoing basis – in the order of 75–80 per cent of the base building energy costs. This needs to be taken into consideration when selecting the type of HVAC system at the initial design stage for a new project or indeed for a major retrofit.”

The webinar will be presented by PC Thomas from Team Catalyst and Ashak Nathwani, Stud.AIRAH, from The University of Sydney.

To register for the webinar, click here.