Secondary Author(s)
Withers Jr., Charles; McIlvaine, Janet; Sonne, Jeffrey; Lombardi, Matthew
Report Number
FSEC-RR-138-03
URL
http://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FSEC-RR-138-03.pdf
Keywords
HVAC; Buildings; Air Flow; Ducts; Energy Efficiency; Residential; Air handler leakage; Duct leakage; Field testing; HVAC efficiency; Air flow measurement
Abstract
Testing was performed to characterize air leakage in 30 air handler cabinets and at connections to supply and return ductwork. Operating pressures were measured in the air handler and plenums. Q 0.1 (Q 25) in the air handler averaged 23.9 cfm (11.3 l/s) in 30 homes. Leakage at the return and supply ductwork connections averaged 3.9 Q 0.1 (1.8 l/s Q 25) and 2.2 Q 0.1 (1.0 l/s Q 25), respectively. Actual return side leakage of 77.5 cfm (36.6 l/s) and supply side leakage of 3.1 cfm (1.5 l/s) are calculated based on Q 0.1 (Q 25) and measured operating pressures, which is 6.4% of the system air flow.
Duct leakage (including the air handler) was also measured in a sub-sample. Return Q 0.1 (Q 25) for 21 homes was 88 cfm (42 l/s). Supply Q 0.1 (Q 25) for 11 homes was 132 cfm (62 l/s). Return leakage is estimated to be 170 cfm (80 l/s) or 13.4% of system air flow and supply leakage is estimated to be 167 cfm (79 l/s) or 13.2% of system air flow.
Date Published
1-1-2003
Identifiers
564
Subjects
Heating--Equipment and supplies--Testing; Air flow; Buildings--Energy conservation
Local Subjects
Buildings - Air Flow; Buildings - Ducts; Buildings - Energy Efficiency; Buildings - HVAC; Buildings - Residential
Type
Text; Document
Format
application/pdf
Collection
FSEC Energy Research Center® Collection
STARS Citation
Florida Solar Energy Center and Cummings, James, "Air Handler Leakage: Field Testing Results in Residences" (2003). FSEC Energy Research Center®. 564.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fsec/564
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Rights Statement
Notes
Reference Publication: Cummings, J.B., Chuck Withers, Janet McIlvaine, Jeff Sonne, and Matt Lombardi. "Air Handler Leakage: Field Testing Results in Residences". ASHRAE Transactions, Volume 109, Part 1, 2003.