Variable Air Volume 143

mum simultaneously then the fan would not have enough air
output to meet the demand. The boxes closest to the fan would
get their required air while the boxes further downstream
“starve” for air. In Figure 9-1 all the boxes are set for a maximum
flow of 1000 cfm. The interior boxes have maximum shutoff at
75%. The minimum flow then is 250 cfm. The exterior boxes with
reheat coils have maximum shutoff at 50%. In other words, the
minimum flow is 500 cfm. If the airflow though these reheat
boxes falls below 50% the heat transfer may diminish, i.e., the
required heat from the steam, hot water or electricity may not be
picked up by the air if the airflow is too slow. Safety and fire may
be a concern, especially with electric reheats if not enough air is
moving across the electric resistance coil to remove the heat.

MAXIMIZING VAV PERFORMANCE

How do you maximize the performance of VAV systems?

Well, that probably depends on what stage of the system you’re
working on. If your system is already installed and it’s not work-
ing properly you’ll probably want to look at maintenance and an
understanding of the system by the operating staff. The next step
might be to do a verification of system performance (VOSP) to
find out what the system is doing or check the air balance of the
system. While you’re doing the VOSP or having the system air
balanced, the next step may be to look at the installation. Finally,
is the system properly designed? You may have a commissioning
report, which should provide information on installation and
design. Let’s start with the first step: the understanding and
maintenance of the system. The operations and maintenance staff
will need to have training on the systems and their components.
In addition, as with any other HVAC system, regularly scheduled
inspections and maintenance should be conducted.

VAV Operation
Most VAV systems use a single duct, which supplies a con-
144 HVAC Fundamentals

stant air temperature, generally between 55°F and 60°F, to the

VAV terminal box. There are also some dual duct systems that use
two single duct supplies to the boxes. The air volume through the
terminal box and into the space is varied to maintain the space
temperature. The sensible heat transfer equation (Btuhs = cfm ×
1.08 × TD) illustrates this.
As the heat load (Btuhs) goes up in the conditioned space the
cfm into the space increases. In other words, as the temperature
rises in the space (as sensed by the space thermostat) more air at
55°F comes into the space. For example, as the temperature rises
from 75°F to 77°F (heat load is increasing) the cfm into the space
increases from 500 cfm to 750 cfm. The sensible heat transfer
equation, Btuhs = cfm × 1.08 × TD (1.08 is a constant value), states
that as the heat load varies, Btuhs increases or decreases, and we
have a choice to increase or decrease either the cfm (airflow vol-
ume) or the temperature of the air into the space. That is, if the
Btuhs (heat load) increases, we can increase the cfm into the space
and the temperature of the air into the space remains constant.
This will cool the space. Likewise, if the Btuhs (heat load) de-
creases we can decrease the cfm into the space while the tempera-
ture of the air remains constant. This will allow the space to warm
up (from the heat generated by the people, lights and equipment
in the space). This is a variable air volume system.
However, we may elect to design the system so that the air
temperature varies with the changes in heat load. Now, if the
Btuhs (heat load) increases, we can decrease the temperature of
the air into the space and the cfm remains constant. This will cool
the space. Likewise, if the Btuhs (heat load) decreases, we can
increase the temperature of the air while the cfm into the space
remains constant. We vary the temperature of the supply air to
maintain the space temperature. This is a constant air volume
system.

VAV Terminal Box Operation

As the VAV terminal box dampers throttle back to allow less
airflow into the space (heat load is reducing and the space ther-