UC Los Angeles Campus & Medical Center Strategic Energy Plan ...

The controllers themselves are programmed to respond to certain sensors as well as time
control settings. Once programmed the mesh network can operate itself optimally with no
external input. Or it can be used to control fixtures according to a web based signal, such as a
demand response incident.
Wireless mesh network lighting controllers promise extensive lighting control (time scheduling,
occupancy sensor, daylight harvesting, and demand response) with power measurement and a
relatively low first price. No wiring outside of the fixture is required, saving time and complexity.
One feature not likely to be offered is dimming control, but with relatively low power fixtures, as
well as individual ballast switching, this offers diminishing returns. This product is expected to
be commercially available in one to two years.
8.2 HVAC Projects
8.2.1 Air Handler Project 1. Convert Constant Volume Air Handlers and Terminal Boxes to
Variable Air Volume
This project converts constant volume air handlers with terminal boxes to variable air volume.
This project concentrates on larger air handlers which may be dual duct, multizone, reheat, or
other constant volume configuration. These air handlers serve the zones through terminal
boxes which may be mixing boxes or reheat boxes, often including pressure independent
devices and sound attenuators.
The project involves installing VFDs on the supply and return fans to allow the air flow to vary
according to the load. In addition, a retrofit kit (damper, actuator, flow measuring station) is
installed on each of the terminal boxes to convert it into a pressure independent variable volume
device. This kit includes direct digital controls, which increases the cost but greatly increases
the functionality. A large multizone air handler could fit in this category as well, with a retrofit kit
installed in each zone duct and a two position actuator applied to the existing mixing dampers.
The retrofit allows the zone temperatures to be properly controlled with less simultaneous
heating and cooling energy use. In addition, reduced air flow requirements and lower operating
static pressures will result in fan energy savings.
In some cases, the air handlers have existing variable volume devices such as variable inlet
vanes (VIV) or varicone flow devices, which are generally less efficient than modern VFDs, and
may not be working optimally. In these cases, the project would replace the existing flow control
device with a variable frequency drive, and the existing flow control is reflected in the project
costs and savings.
The savings are calculated for this project through a bin simulation adjusted for local weather,
operating hours, building load characteristics, air handler flows and configuration, and
temperature control strategies.
The cost for implementing this project includes variable frequency drives for the supply and
return fans, retrofit kits with DDC for each zone terminal box, and a control strategy to optimize
the air flow and static pressure from the supply fan.
2413.01/Reports/UC SEP Final Report – UCLA.doc 8-5 December 31, 2008
Newcomb | Anderson | McCormick