[Bldg-sim] FW: Suspended ceilings vs. open plenums

[P. Hay]

The study uses both: ducted return in open plenums and plenum return for
suspended ceilings.

 

Paul Hay

Managing Partner

PAUL HAY Consultants

 

Capital Project Planning and Management

 

15a Cassia Park Road

Kingston 10

Jamaica, W.I.

 

tel: 1 (876) 756-0631

cel: 1 (876) 324-4274

fax: 1 (876) 756-0631

 

web: www.phcjamaica.com

e-mail: paul.hay at phcjamaica.com

 

 

 

From: Steve Tobin [mailto:stobin at smithboucher.com] 
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 10:23 AM
To: phay at phcjamaica.com
Subject: RE: [Bldg-sim] Suspended ceilings vs. open plenums

 

Does your model include ducted return or plenum return?  If it is ducted
return the return air is pulled from the space and the light heat gain is
less load for the AHU.  If you have a plenum return the full lighting load
should be accounted for.

 



Steve Tobin

PROJECT ENGINEER

25501 west valley parkway

olathe ks 66061

direct 913 344.0061

fax 913 345.0617

 

From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of P. Hay
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 9:19 AM
To: BLDG-SIM
Subject: [Bldg-sim] Suspended ceilings vs. open plenums

 

Hi all,

 

I recently came across a Life Cycle Analysis of Suspended Ceilings vs. Open
Plenums, initiated by CISCA [Ceiling and Interior System Construction
Association ( www.cisca.org )] which concluded that suspended ceilings are
more energy efficient because they have:

 

a)      higher reflectances,

b)      better heat-removal from luminaires, and

c)       use lower static pressure and fan power.

 

I can understand (a) and (c) but (b) leaves me suspicious that the
return-air plenum was not considered in this study.  As I understand it,
return-air plenums can be defined as separate zones from the usable spaces
(in this case: an office or a food store) but the suspended ceilings are
adiabatic.  So , other than the savings for lighting and fan, I really don't
understand how there could be significant savings for the HVAC system if the
overall height of the rooms (plenum & usable space) is identical, and
cooling load of plenums are considered.  

 

Is there something I'm missing?

 

Paul Hay

Managing Partner

PAUL HAY Consultants

 

Capital Project Planning and Management

 

15a Cassia Park Road

Kingston 10

Jamaica, W.I.

 

tel: 1 (876) 756-0631

cel: 1 (876) 324-4274

fax: 1 (876) 756-0631

 

web: www.phcjamaica.com

e-mail: paul.hay at phcjamaica.com

 

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