Decoupling outdoor air and space thermal control

The article presents the advantages of decoupling the outdoor ventilation air cooling and dehumidification from the space cooling and dehumidification. These dual-path systems (one air handling unit for outdoor air with total energy recovery, another air handling unit for the recirculation air, and a single air supply delivery system) are used in all-air variable air volume system designs. They can be combined with CO2-based demand controlled ventilation, which offers superior control and cost savings. They reduce indoor humidity fluctuations when outdoor air conditions are highly variable.