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HVAC Damper Actuator for Economizer Free Cooling
The air conditioning system has ductwork running to the outside. When the control system program calls for free cooling the outside air damper opens and the system draws in cool air from the outside. Another damper directs the return air, which originates inside the spaces of the building, to the outside. This brings cool conditioned air into the building while exhausting the warmer air to the outside. Another action that the control program initiates is the lockout of the air conditioner or mechanical cooling.
This increases efficiency by making use of cooler outside air. Some may refer to it as an airside economizer or free cooling and depend on outside air conditions and temperatures this process works to save energy. Aside from filtering the air, the economizer is ideal in moderate temperatures. Air is not ideal when it is raining outside so using a temperature and humidity sensor one can calculate the enthalpy of the air and set the controls for free cooling when a specific enthalpy setpoint is achieved in the outside air conditions.
HVAC Damper Actuator for Economizer Free Cooling | Conclusion
Typically this is only possible with direct digital controls controlling the buildings HVAC ventilation systems. The building automation system, if it’s a complete system, will have several microcontrollers networked. These microcontrollers can use information across the network to control thinks like an airside economizer or other energy-saving features.
HVAC Damper Actuator for Economizer Free Cooling