I-HVCD

Homes built to high standards of efficiency in humid climates have a greater need for dehumidification than older homes. They have low sensible cooling loads, but because they need to be ventilated, they have high latent cooling loads. Even high efficiency air conditioners do not do an adequate job of removing indoor moisture because they do not operate for very many hours, especially during mild, humid weather.

With support from DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, DEG completed a two-phase project to develop an integrated system that combines cooling, heating, ventilation, cooling, and dehumidification. This “I-HVCD” system consists of a unique indoor coil package that replaces the evaporator coil, and controls. Laboratory and field tests demonstrated that the system is capable of maintaining indoor temperature and relative humidity constant under a wide range of outdoor temperature and humidity. Because it relies on the condensing unit for dehumidification, it will potentially cost less than the highest efficiency air conditioners and dehumidifiers used together.

Next steps for the system are to complete further testing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and to identify a manufacturer. For further information, download the SBIR Final Report.