This report presents the findings from a research project that examined the symptoms and impacts of over specification of HVAC systems in office buildings. The report also discusses the barriers to right-sizing and solutions to avoid over-sizing of HVAC systems.
About this report
Many heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems installed in commercial buildings, have more capacity than is ever required to keep the occupants comfortable. Such "oversized" HVAC systems can have negative effects on the environment, on occupant comfort, as well as on the economic outcomes for the building.
Studies of two large office buildings - Case study 1 in Sydney and Case study 2 in Melbourne - were the focus of this project. The major objective of this research project is to collect and disseminate information to help reduce over specification of HVAC systems. It will also help to deliver efficient HVAC systems which are effective at providing better thermal environments in buildings. The project will also seek to quantify the economic and environmental penalty incurred due to over specification. It is hoped that the outcomes will provide a persuasive business case for industry to fundamentally change their approach to specifying and procuring HVAC systems for large buildings, and will foster more research into developing methods to do so.
This report collated and documented the following from the two case studies:
- the symptoms of over-sizing
- the impacts of over-sizing
- the barriers to right-sizing
- suggestions and solutions to reduce over-sizing.
Link to the full report
HVAC system size - getting it right
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