Air Balancing
With the continually evolving built environment and the need for increases in building performance, comprehensive HVAC systems commissioning is more vital than ever before. Air balance is a set of means and methods for making HVAC systems readily controllable, so they provide the intended indoor climate at minimum operating costs.
Most artificial comfort systems in building are created by careful consideration to the use of the building and the environmental conditions in which the building is to be maintained. For many years, engineers specialized in air conditioning and climate design have studied and standardized on the optimal conditions for different occupancy and uses of spaces. This design begins with the intent to build a system with certain characteristics and workmanship to accomplish the goal of the artificial environment. Mechanical engineers are typically tasked with the design and selection of equipment and the energy delivery mechanisms that are to be constructed by the construction team. One of the ways in which these coordinated efforts are effectively organized is by creating construction documents as a blueprint of the work and materials that need to be procured in order to achieve the design goals.
Once a system has been constructed there is a final step in ensuring that the energy is transported within the artificial space to the proper location and that equipment is allowed to do what it was intended to do. When engineers design these systems they are not able to take into account every single detail of how the ductwork and how the units are installed (after all they are not the ones that are going to build it). Any deviation although slight may cause an unbalanced system. Also, engineers design to a certain range of parameters which can change during the life of a building, for example the amount of air needed in a room may change based on adding additional computers or printers. It may also be that the insulation on the walls is not as intended and now more air is needed to cool the room. In short engineers typically must over-design to overcome unforeseen difficulties in the field.
Air balancing is a solution by which piece of mind can be awarded to all persons involved in a project. For the design consultant, balancing is an inexpensive insurance policy against loss of professional reputation. For the operations staff, it is a potent prescription for trouble free operation and ease of maintenance. For the property owner it is a long term guarantee against excessive operating costs.