Variable flow rate summer air-conditioning systems with low energy consumption for small buildings

The energy performances of a summer air-conditioningsystem with variable airflow destined fora sole air-conditioned open-space environment which hosts a call-centre are presented. With a simple plant configuration,implementing an opportune control strategy aimed at the simultaneous satisfaction of sensitive and latent loads, the principle energy indexes and thermal comfort with reference to a location with a typical Mediterraneanclimate (Cosenza, Southern Italy) were identified. The entire building-plant system was studied within a TRNSYS dynamic simulation environment, whose flexibility permitted the use of a special subroutine createdby the authors to implement the required control strategy to optimise system performances.