• Research
• Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
• HVAC Systems
• Building Commissioning Cart
• Radiant Cooling Scoping Study
• UFAD Case Studies
• UFAD Cooling Design Tool
• UFAD Cost Analysis
• UFAD Design Guide
• UFAD East End
• UFAD Energy Modeling
• UFAD Plenum Performance
• UFAD Stratification
• UFAD Technology Transfer
• UFAD Website
• Envelope Systems
• Controls and Information Technology
• Publications
• Presentations

Research Area :

Research on Building HVAC Systems

Working with design teams, owners and maufacturers to evaluate new design strategies and technologies.

New HVAC technologies provide opportunities for energy savings and benefits to occupants. Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) technology has experienced rapid adoption due to the number of potential benefits it offers over conventional ceiling-based air distribution. CBE has become the leader in UFAD research, and is conducting a number of projects on this new technology. We have are also investigating buildings that use mixed-mode ventilation strategies, and radiant cooling systems. (See envelope research for mixed mode research).

HVAC Research Topics

CBE projects related to building HVAC systems include:

• Building Commissioning Cart
  An integrated building commissioning tool-kit, with advanced sensing capability for analyzing indoor environmental parameters.
• Radiant Cooling Design Tools and Applications Assessment
  Evaluating current design practices and research needs for a promising and rapidly evolving building technology.
• Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) Building Case Studies and Project Database
  The study and documentation of current industry practices, design trends, success stories, and lessons learned.
• Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) Cooling Airflow Design Tool
  Developing simplified design tools for optimization of underfloor systems.
• Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) Cost Analysis Study
  Addressing industry needs for an accurate method for comparing the costs of UFAD and conventional HVAC systems.
• ASHRAE Design Guide on UFAD Systems
  Peer-reviewed technical guidance for design teams and building operators.
• UFAD Field Study of Sacramento Capitol Area East End Complex
  A detailed comparison of UFAD with conventional overhead systems in two high-performance office buildings.
• Energy Performance Modeling of Underfloor Air Distribution Systems
  Development of the first tool to provide accurate whole-building modeling of the energy performance of underfloor systems
• Performance of Underfloor Air Supply Plenums
  Providing specialized resources and knowledge required for proper design and operation of underfloor plenums.
• UFAD Room Air Stratification (RAS) Model Development
  Energy performance of UFAD systems can be greatly improved by optimizing the stratification of room air temperatures.
• UFAD Technology Transfer Program
  Providing resources, training, and support for architects, engineers, and facility managers.
• Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) Technology Website
  Helping to address the large number of inquiries that CBE receives on UFAD technology by presenting information at a number of different levels.

In 2005 CBE initiated a new research effort focused on radiant cooling systems .

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model used to study performance of UFAD plenums.

CBE's UFAD research effort includes tool development and technology transfer.

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College of Environmental Design | University of California Berkeley

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