In the conclusion of this pair of articles, the author delivers opinion and documentation with equal force. Making the argument that traditional VAV is too troublesome regarding meeting ASHRAE 62.1 and 90.1, he also explains how those same standards are pushing designers in the right direction. The destination? A new era for VAV and new efficiencies for their applications - but shining a little light down this path reveals just how fraught with peril the designer’s journey can be.
In this forthright first installment, the author makes the argument that VAV as practiced for the last 50 years has become not only outdated but unable to keep up with the standards that are supposed to guide it. On the upside, circumstances point the way toward a revitalized, high-efficiency era for VAV. But first, let’s take stock of the status quo.