Titus HVAC has released a new type of chilled beam displacement ventilation unit — the Temperature and Ambience Optimizer (TAO) — for buildings where air quality is a concern. The unit is notable for its hybrid design that blends the best attributes and features of multiple systems into one, taking advantage of the displacement, chilled beam, and radiation principles.

Designed for use in educational facilities and theaters, TAO will address and minimize high ventilation loads and correct inefficient and “sick” buildings to improve the interior environment. It allows the supply of 100% outside air, operates at a near-minimum ventilation rate for classrooms and reduces energy consumption by using cooling and heating coils. According to Titus HVAC, the design enables TAO to provide a higher level of thermal comfort in the space, which leads to improved student and teacher productivity, reduction of health problems, increased attendance and overall increased satisfaction.

The product works by finding the best path for a balanced and healthy environment by providing the appropriate proportion of heating or cooling to the perimeter wall and internal part of the occupied zone, managing the majority of room load. At the same time, the unit maintains the necessary displacement ventilation, humidity control and temperature level of the room. High indoor air quality is achieved by using the displacement ventilation strategy that does not allow for the mixing of contaminants, keeping CO₂ levels at a minimum.

“TAO continues the Titus tradition of technology and innovation to advance the science of air distribution,” said Janis Rozenbergs, product manager at Titus HVAC. “TAO combines the benefits of displacement ventilation conditioning with the induction of chilled beams, which effectively and efficiently addresses the noise, humidity and ventilation issues in a classroom environment. At the same time, it provides heating where it is needed, which is in the cold perimeter walls and windows. This provides a more uniform temperature distribution and comfortable environment.”

The air exchange effectiveness of TAO is the highest among all HVAC systems, allowing for the reduction of the fresh air guidelines per ASHRAE 62.1, conforming to ANSI Standard sound levels and taking advantage of the CHPS program and all LEED certification requirements of ASHRAE Standard 55 for thermal comfort and ASHRAE 90.1 for optimal energy performance. TAO also helps reduce energy consumption by taking advantage of the low temperature, high-efficiency boilers and maximizes the economizer operation of the HVAC system.

Some of the features include customizable cabinets in a variety of aesthetically-pleasing wood finishes and colors.