Did you know that allowing your DOAS (dedicated outdoor air system) to deliver cooler air in the summer could actually save you money?

A DOAS uses a separate unit to condition (heat, cool, humidify, dehumidify) all of the outdoor air brought into a building for ventilation and then delivers it to each occupied space. Meanwhile, a separate local HVAC unit (such as a fan coil, water-source heat pumps, or PTAC) in each space provides cooling or heating to maintain the desired space temperature.

Typically a DOAS is designed to deliver dehumidified outdoor air to the space at a neutral temperature. The DOAS cools the outdoor air to approximately 55°F to dehumidify the air first. It then reheats the air to approximately 70°F before delivering air to the space. Since the outdoor air is cooled to 55°F for dehumidification already regardless of the set point, it can be delivered to the space at a lower owner preferred temperature and the building owner can take advantage of this “free” cooling. 

Applying a Dedicated Outdoor Air System effectively to any lodging facility can increase guest comfort, reduce energy use and increase the life of the building envelope.

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