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Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Methods 5
Comparative Statements 9
Conclusions 11
Recommendations 11
Decision Tree 12
Appendices
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
This study was initiated to explore the HVAC systems that can be used to replace the aging
wall mounted and indoor cabinet type heat pump units in existing schools.
The following factors will be compared:
1. Overall cost effectiveness
a. Initial installation cost
b. Energy cost
c. Maintenance cost.
2. Indoor environmental conditions
a. Outdoor air ventilation
b. Air filtration
c. Air movement
d. Temperature
e. Humidity
f. Sound level
3. Aesthetics
a. Indoor
b. Outdoor
4. Difficulty of installation
a. Space requirements
b. Architectural modifications required
c. Structural modifications required
5. Complexity of system
6. Difficulty of maintenance
a. Service assistance from manufacturer
b. Parts availability
7. Reliability from past experience
8. Durability from past experience
9. Installation time required
The most suitable system will be identified for each prevalent type of existing classroom
building.
Please be aware that the performance and maintainability is dependent not only on just
system type and manufacturer but also on the system design and installation. The
installation arrangement of each system will be clearly defined in the report.
The following building types will be included:
1. Single story building of wood or metal frame construction with single loaded corridor and
sloped roof. The finger schools, two room bungalows, re-locatable classrooms and
portable classroom buildings have similar envelope configurations and thus similar
thermal performance. They will be grouped under this category and studied together for
energy performance.
2. Two story building of concrete construction with double loaded corridors and flat roof.
The concepts for multi- story buildings will be similar.
Typical HVAC system layout drawings for each system will be provided.
The following HVAC systems will be included:
1. Rooftop Packaged Gas / Electric Units
2. Rooftop Packaged Heat Pumps
3. Split gas electric systems (Gas furnaces with outdoor condensing units. Report only. No
energy studies will be made as this is not going to be installed in the future.)
4. Split system heat pumps
5. Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems
6. New Generation of wall mounted heat pumps
7. New Generation of indoor cabinet type heat pumps
8. 4 pipe fan coil units with air cooled chillers and gas fired boilers
9. Chilled beams with dedicated outdoor air systems
A technical comparative statement will be provided so that the significant information can be
compared conveniently at a glance.
The following related studies that were previously done for LAUSD will be attached as
references:
1. HVAC Systems Acoustical, Cost and Energy Study, June 6, 2005
2. Duct Free Split System Heat Pumps as Alternative for Wall Mounted Heat Pumps
In existing classrooms, March 21, 2005
3. Measured Classroom Sound Levels, May 30, 2005
The information in the above studies will not be repeated in the current study.
The reference studies are directed more towards new construction whereas the emphasis of the
current study is on existing facilities.
Methods
Energy Use and Cost
Energy use estimations will be done with EnergyPro Version 5.1 software. The calculations will
be done for each building type with each of the eight HVAC systems.
Each building will be rotated with the front facing eight different directions and the load
calculations will be done for each direction. The worst case will be chosen as the basis of the
study. Since two building types, a 2 story classroom building and a 2 classroom bungalow, are
to be studied, a total of 16 different EnergyPro calculations will be made as the first step to
determine the orientation with the highest cooling load.
The input data for the highest load orientation of each building type will be then used to
simulate the annual energy use with each system type studied as the second step. A total of
16 different EnergyPro calculations will be made for each climate zone. Energy use
estimations will then be done for each system for the three prevalent local climate conditions in
the areas served by LAUSD, the coastal, central LA and valley regions. A total of 48 different
EnergyPro calculations will be made for step two.
Energy cost estimations will be done using both LADWP and SCE rate structures. The
resulting energy costs will be tabulated and presented in the technical comparative statements.
This requires an additional 48 EnergyPro runs.
A total of 112 EnergyPro calculations are made for this report.
With reference to the ASHRAE 90.1 User’s Manual, energy cost budget calculations are only
intended to provide a fair method of comparison between different designs and systems but
not to predict actual energy consumption as variations such as occupancy, maintenance,
weather conditions, etc. may differ widely.
Installation Cost
Installation cost will be based on the schedule of values of recently completed similar projects
in the Los Angeles area in the last 5 years, as the cost of the architectural, structural, electrical
and plumbing improvements are also required to be taken into consideration. The costs vary
widely for the same type of system due to differences in building type and configuration,
asbestos abatement, quality of the construction documents, etc. The values used are average
values filtered through our best judgment.
Equipment budget cost quoted by the manufacturers and overall mechanical system cost
based on the 2012 Means Cost Data will also be included as reference.
The cost for the wall mounted heat pump will not include the architectural, electrical and
structural. The reason is the study is based on the assumption that a wall mounted heat pump
already exists and it is to be replaced because it is old and the replacement unit will not require
structural, electrical and architectural modifications. This is only true for Bard who has an
adaptor curb. We have this assumption stated in bold on item 4 of the conclusions on page 11.
Payback Calculations
The calculations will be simple payback.
Example follows comparing Wall Mounted against a Rooftop Unit in the Valley:
Energy Cost per Sq. Ft. Per Year with Rooftop Unit = $ 2.13
Area of studied classroom = 840 Sq. Ft.
Energy Cost per sq. Ft. Per Year per classroom = $ 2.13 X 840 = $ 1789.2
Energy Cost per Sq. Ft. Per Year with Wall Mount = $ 2.33
Area of studied classroom = 840 Sq. Ft.
Energy Cost per sq. Ft. Per Year per classroom = $ 2.33 X 840 = $ 1957.2
Energy Cost Savings Per Year Per Classroom = $ 168
Cost of roof top unit installation per classroom = $ 32,000
Cost of wall mount unit installation per classroom = $ 14,000
Additional cost = $ 18,000
Payback years just on energy savings = 18,000 / 168 =107.1 years
If it is a new installation, the cost of the wall mount could increase to $ 24,000. Then the
payback will be 8,000 / 168 = 48 years.
Maintenance Cost
Reliable maintenance cost data for different systems is not available in the industry. The ease
of maintenance on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the easiest, derived from the opinions of
manufacturers, installers and service personnel will be used as a means of comparison. The
manufacturer’s service manual will be used as an indicator of the difficulty of service.
Complexity of Installation
The ease of installation on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the easiest, derived from the
opinions of manufacturers, installers and service personnel will be used as a means of
comparison. The manufacturer’s installation manual will be used as an indicator of the difficulty
of installation.
Complexity of Operation
The ease of operation on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the easiest derived from the opinions
of manufacturers, installers and service personnel will be used as a means of comparison. The
manufacturer’s operation manual will be used as an indicator of the difficulty of operation.
Indoor Environmental Conditions
All the systems included can accommodate MERV 8 efficiency air filters and also maintain the
indoor temperature comparatively well but air distribution effectiveness and expected indoor
sound levels differ. The latter will be used to compare indoor environmental conditions.
Aesthetics
Both indoor and outdoor visual obtrusiveness will be reported in either drawing or pictorial
format. A scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the least objectionable derived from the opinions of
school personnel, architects, manufacturers, installers and service personnel will be used as a
means of comparison.
Reliability and Durability
A scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most reliable or durable, derived from the experience and
opinions of installers and service personnel will be used as a means of comparison.
Construction Duration
The time to install a complete system including architectural and structural upgrades will be
used as a means of comparison. The labor costs from the Means Cost Estimation Handbook
will be provided as a reference.
The recorded construction durations also tend to vary widely for the same type of system due
to differences in building type and configuration, asbestos abatement, quality of the
construction documents, management, etc. The values used are average values filtered
through our best judgment.
A minimum of three opinions from each source will be collected and evaluated based
on our judgment and experience.
The following organizations provided the above required inputs and opinions. This document
has been circulated for review and comment :
Manufacturer’s Representatives
1. Benoist Corp: Team Air Enclosures ; Eric Quandt ;
eric@benoistco.com; 888-236-6478 Office; 818-326-8717 cell; www.benoistco.com
2. Geary Pacific Corp: Bard Wall Mounted Heat Pumps; Maury Tiernan;
BardGuy@gearypacific.com; 714 202-4541 Office; 714 270-7198 Cell;
www.gearypacific.com; www.bardhvac.com
Comparative Statements
2 Story Building Overall Comparison
(Applicable to typical multistory buildings)
Full Load
Energy Energy Cost Installed Ease of Ease of Ease of Indoor Outdoor Indoor Air Installation
System Aesthetics Reliability Durability
Efficiency (1) Cost Installation Operation Maintenance Sound Sound Movement time
EER
Scale Scale
$ / SQ.FT./ Scale of Scale of Scale of 1 Scale of Scale of
$ dBA dBA of 1 to of 1 to Days
Year 1 to 10 1 to 10 to 10 1 to 10 1 to 10
10 10
Rooftop Gas Electric 12.8 2.13 32,000 9 10 10 45 78 10 2 10 10 5
Rooftop Heat Pump 12.8 2.11 32,000 9 10 10 45 78 10 2 8 10 5
Split System Heat Pump 12.5 1.95 20,000 8 10 8 42 74 7 8 7 9 3
Variable Refrigerant Flow 11.6 1.46 30,000 6 9 6 42 62 7 8 6 6 5
Wall mounted heat pumps 11 2.33 14,000 10 10 8 45 78 6 1 8 9 1
Cabinet type heat pumps 9.3 2.27 30,000 8 9 7 48 60 6 6 5 8 2
4 pipe hydronic fan coils 10.1 2.62 32,000 4 4 4 42 110 7 8 4 7 30
Chilled Beams 10.1 2.39 52,000 2 2 4 40 110 10 10 3 7 30
EER = Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU of cooling / Watt of electrical energy consumed)
dBA = A Scale weighted Decibels
(1) Based on LADWP Schedule A-2B TOU with San Fernando Valley weather
Conclusions
1. The VRF type systems are found to have the lowest operating cost.
2. The split system heat pumps are second lowest in operating cost and also second
lowest in installation cost after the wall mounted heat pumps.
3. The conventional split system type heat pumps are more cost effective and easier to
install, operate and maintain than the VRF systems.
4. The new generation wall mounted heat pumps are significantly improved in energy
efficiency and acoustical performance. They could be the most cost effective for
replacement of an existing wall mount unit and are still a viable option where aesthetics
are acceptable. This reasoning is true only if the physical size and configuration of
the unit has not changed to require structural and architectural modifications.
5. The systems that require central chilled and hot water plants are neither cost effective nor
easy to operate and maintain.
Recommendations
1. For buildings with flat roofs and parapets, rooftop gas electric units should be the first
choice for ease of maintenance if M & O prefers.
2. If an existing gas supply does not exist, consider rooftop heat pumps.
3. Use split system heat pumps if the existing roof structure or shape will not support the
rooftop units.
4. Install the fan coils of the split systems inside pre-manufactured cabinets for
acoustical performance, aesthetics and protection from vandalism in lieu of above the
ceiling. Substantial cost savings can also be realized from not having to reconfigure
existing electrical and data conduits and fire sprinkler piping if the ceiling is not
reconfigured.
7. For two story buildings with flat roofs, consider rooftop units for second floor and split
systems for first floor.
8. Extra care should be taken about the location of outdoor units. They could be
the source of outdoor noise intrusion if they are located near windows, louvers or
other openings into the building. If they are accessible or even visible from outside,
they are open to the risk of theft or vandalism. The accessibility of the units to the
students is a risk to physical harm.
Figure 1: Decision tree based on the recommendations (Please review the entire report
and other project specific information before making a decision on a project)
Figure 3: Partial roof plan of two story classroom building with rooftop units for second
floor and split system heat pumps units for first floor. Second floor will have diffusers
and registers at duct penetrations only and no ductwork inside room. From LAUSD
Venice High School
Figure 4: Partial floor plan of second story classroom with diffusers and registers at
duct penetration and no ductwork inside room at LAUSD Venice High School
Figure 5: Section of second story classroom with registers at duct penetration and no
ductwork inside room at LAUSD Venice High School
A (4) Nominal Ton capacity Rooftop gas electric unit have the following characteristics:
Make & Model: CARRIER 48 LC A05
Efficiency: 17.5 SEER [Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU of cooling/Watt of electricity)]
13.1 EER [Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU/Watt) at peak load]
Outdoor sound level: 78 dBA
Unit weight: 1,160 LBS including isolator curb
Equipment Cost: $ 5,475 Means
$ 8,000 as quoted by Carrier with isolator curb
Total Mechanical Installed Cost: $ 14,280 Means 2012
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical: $ 24,100 from the schedule
of values of LAUSD Venice High School 2011 with no ceiling modifications. $ 32,000 expected
with ceiling and lighting modifications.
The duration of the installation of one new rooftop unit for a classroom is 5 working days. The
Means labor cost for installation is $ 5,742.
Manufacturers included in the current LAUSD Guide Specifications: Carrier, Lennox, Trane &
York.
Please refer to page 7 of the attached HVAC Systems Acoustical, Cost and Energy Study for
further information on the basic system description and recommended method of installation for
best energy and acoustical results.
Figure 6: Single story classroom building with sloped roof and rooftop gas electric unit
on roof with horizontal duct configuration
the ceiling. We are installing the indoor fan coils inside the cabinets mentioned above. We are
proposing special registers so that air may be distributed effectively throughout the entire room
from the cabinet installed at one corner of the room.
The split system heat pump units are also the most viable options for the single story buildings
with sloped roofs. The outdoor units can be installed on grade in a group at one end of the
building inside a block wall or chain link enclosure. The refrigerant lines can be run from the
outdoor units to the indoor fan coils up to about 150 feet.
The outdoor sections of the split system heat pumps are also available in a rectangular suitcase
shape with horizontal air flow. These suitcase shaped units can be stacked two deep one on top
of the other on a frame to reduce the enclosure size. Refer to figure 9.
Drawings and photos of these arrangements follow.
Figure 7: Square split system heat pump unit outdoor section on roof
Figure 8: Suitcase type split system heat pump unit outdoor section
Figure 9: Stacked suitcase type split system heat pump unit outdoor sections
Figure 11: Fan coil unit enclosure with a 4 Ton fan coil inside
Figure 12: LG Single Zone Split System Heat Pump and Fan coil unit
Figure 13: Partial floor plan of first floor classroom with fan coil unit inside cabinet and
no ductwork, inside room at LAUSD Venice High School
Figure 14: Partial floor plan of first floor classroom with fan coil unit inside cabinet and
supply air ductwork inside room at LAUSD Venice High School
Figure 15: Section of first floor classroom with fan coil unit inside cabinet and supply air
ductwork inside room at LAUSD Venice High School
A 4 Nominal Ton capacity split system heat pump have the following characteristics:
Alternate Make and Model: Carrier 38QRR048 with FV4CNB006 (Suitcase configuration)
Efficiency: 15 SEER [Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU of cooling/Watt of electricity)]
12.5 EER [Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU/Watt) at peak load]
Outdoor sound level: 71dBA
Unit weight: Outdoor heat pump 330 LBS including isolator base rail
Indoor fan coil 172 LBS
Equipment Cost: $ 3,150 Means
$ 4,059 as quoted by Carrier with isolator rail
Total Mechanical Installed Cost: $ 10,170 Means 2012
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical: $ 14,100 from the historical
cost of 2009 to 2011 for northern and southern California as provided by the Benoist Company
Cost of Acoustical Cabinet Enclosure: $ 5,000
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical with acoustical enclosure:
$20,000 from the historical cost of 2009 to 2011 for northern and southern California as provided
by the Benoist Company
The duration of the installation of one new split system heat pump unit in a sound enclosure
inside a classroom is 3 working days. The Means labor cost for installation is $ 5,650.
Manufacturers included in the current LAUSD Guide Specifications: Carrier, Lennox, Trane &
York.
Please refer to page 14 of the attached HVAC Systems Acoustical, Cost and Energy Study for
further information on the basic system description and recommended method of installation for
best energy and acoustical results.
A (12) Nominal Ton capacity variable refrigerant flow heat pump have the following
characteristics:
Make and Model: LG ARUN 144 BT3
Efficiency: N/A SEER [Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU of cooling/Watt of electricity)]
11.5 EER [Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU/Watt) at peak load]
17.5 IEER [Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU/Watt) at part load]
Outdoor sound level: 58 dBA
Unit weight: Outdoor heat pump 617 LBS for a 12 Ton unit
Figure 17: (4) 12 Ton Outdoor Sections of Mitsubishi VRF Units in enclosure
Figure 18: (12) 4 Ton Conventional Split System Heat Pump Units Stacked inside an
enclosure
Figure 19: Wall mounted heat pump unit at Century Park Elementary School
Figure 20: Floor plan of Wall Mounted Heat Pump Unit with no ductwork
Figure 21: Section of Wall Mounted Heat Pump Unit with no ductwork
Figure 22::Floor plan of Wall Mounted Heat Pump Unit with supply air ductwork
Figure 23: Section of Wall Mounted Heat Pump Unit with no ductwork
A (4) Nominal Ton capacity wall mounted heat pump unit have the following characteristics:
Make & Model: Bard T48S1 (Future 2 compressor model)
Efficiency: (Not published) SEER [Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU of cooling/Watt of
electricity)]
11 EER [Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU/Watt) at peak load]
15.8 EER with one compressor working at part load
Outdoor sound level: 64 dBA
Unit weight: 605 LBS shipping weight
Equipment Cost: Means cost not available
$ 11,224 as quoted by Bard for a current unit with adaptor, isolation curbs,
acoustical supply plenum and other required accessories
Total Mechanical Installed Cost: Means cost not available
$ 14,000 for replacement only with no structural modifications based on
average historical data of last five years
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical: $ 16,000 for replacement
only with no structural modifications based on average historical data of last five years
The duration of the installation of one replacement wall mounted unit for a classroom is 1
working day. This is true only if the physical size and configuration of the unit has not changed to
require structural and architectural modifications.
The Means labor cost for installation is not available.
Manufacturers included in the current LAUSD Guide Specifications: Bard, Marvair
Typical wall mount unit installations as recommended by the manufacturer follows. The typical
LAUSD installations are either free flow or ducted supply only.
Figure 25: Indoor cabinet type heat pump unit currently installed at LAUSD Washington
Prep School and Aragon School
Figure 26: Floor Plan of Indoor Cabinet Type Heat Pump with supply air ductwork.
Alhambra Unified School District, Emery Park Elementary School
Figure 27: Section of Indoor Cabinet Type Heat Pump with supply air ductwork. Alhambra
Unified School District, Emery Park Elementary School
A (4) Nominal Ton capacity Airedale Indoor Cabinet Type Heat Pump unit have the following
characteristics:
Make & Model: Airedale CHH4
Efficiency: 10.3 SEER [Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU of cooling/Watt of electricity)]
9.3 EER [Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU/Watt) at peak load]
Outdoor sound level: 78 dBA
Unit weight: 735 LBS including isolator curb
Equipment Cost: $ 13,000 from the schedule of values of AUSD Emery Park Elementary
School 2009.
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical: $ 30,000 from the schedule
of values of AUSD Emery Park Elementary School 2009.
The duration of the installation of one replacement indoor cabinet type unit for a classroom is 2
working days. This is true only if the physical size and configuration of the unit has not changed
to require structural and architectural modifications. The Means labor cost for installation is not
available.
Manufacturers included in the current LAUSD Guide Specifications: Bard, Marvair
A 60 Nominal Ton capacity air cooled chiller for 12 classrooms have the following
characteristics:
Make & Model: York
Efficiency: SEER is not applicable to 3 ɸ equipment
10.1 EER [Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU/Watt) at peak load]
Outdoor sound level: 95 dBA
Unit weight: 4142 LBS
Equipment Cost: $ 47,700 Means
$ 8,000 as quoted by Carrier
Total Mechanical Installed Cost: $ 248,400 Means
A 0.75 MBTUH Capacity outdoor boiler for 12 classrooms have the following characteristics:
Make & Model: Patterson Kelly
Efficiency: 80 % (87 % condensing is not applicable with 140⁰F return)
Outdoor sound level: 95 dBA
Unit weight: 455 LBS
Equipment Cost: $ 10,000 Means
Total Mechanical Installed Cost: $ 16,600 (Means)
Total Central Plant Mechanical System Installed Cost: $ 281,600 (Means 2012)
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical: $ 380,160 (Means 2012)
That is equivalent to $ 32,000 per classroom.
The duration of the installation of one central plant for 12 classrooms is 30 working days. The
Means labor cost for installation is $ 113,760 or $ 9.480 per classroom.
Manufacturers included in the current LAUSD Guide Specifications: Carrier, McQuay, Trane &
York.
Figure 30: Plan of enclosures for 60 Ton Air Cooled Chiller and 1 MBTUH with required
accessories
Chilled Beams
There are two types of chilled beams, active and passive. This discussion will be limited to active
chilled beams. An active chilled beam is an induction type heating and cooling device which
causes room air motion through induction of high velocity air jets. The simplest explanation is it
is like a diffuser with integral heating and cooling coils. Pretreated (preheated or precooled and
dehumidified filtered air) from a dedicated outdoor air system is ducted to the chilled beams. The
air then goes through distribution nozzles inside the device and increases in velocity. This high
velocity air stream induces room air to flow across the heating and cooling coils inside the device
and mix with it. The resultant mixed cooled or heated air is then distributed into the space.
Please refer to Figures 31through 35.
The two major advantages of this system is less air moving energy and less space for ductwork.
This system is also very quiet. It is suitable for existing buildings with limited space above the
ceiling. They are also preferred for laboratories and similar applications where 100% outdoor air
with no return air is required.
There are also major disadvantages. A central heating and cooling plant for chilled and hot
water is required. Air handling units for dedicated outdoor air is also required. The chilled water
temperature to the devices has to be controlled above room dew point to prevent condensation.
The engineering principles behind the device are somewhat esoteric.
We do not recommend this system for schools except for historical buildings with abundant
budgets.
A chilled beam system with a 60 Nominal Ton capacity air cooled chiller and a 0.75 MBTUH
Capacity outdoor boiler for a 12 classroom building have the following characteristics:
The efficiencies of the chiller and boiler will be similar to the central plant for the fan coil unit
system.
Total Central Plant Mechanical System Installed Cost: $ 281,600 (Means 2012)
Total additional cost for dedicated outdoor air unit, chilled beams, heat exchanger for the
secondary chilled water to the chilled beams, piping, pumps ductwork and controls: $ 248,000
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical: $ 628,560 (Means 2012)
That is equivalent to $ 52,000 per classroom.
The duration of the installation of one central plant for 12 classrooms is 30 working days. The
Means labor cost for installation is $ 113,760 or $ 9.480 per classroom.
Manufacturers included in the current LAUSD Guide Specifications: None
Figure 33: Active chilled beam installation and air flow schematic diagram
Figure 34: Floor Plan of Classroom with Chilled Beams, Pasadena Unified School District,
Blair High School
Figure 35: Floor Plan of Classroom with Chilled Beams, Pasadena Unified School
District, Blair High School
Figure 36: LG Single Zone Split System Heat Pump and Fan coil unit @ Grant High
School
The LG unit installed at Grant High School is a single zone split system Variable Refrigerant
Flow heat pump with the following characteristics.
Make and Model: LG ARUN047GS2 heat pump with ARNU483NKA2 indoor fan coil unit
Efficiency: 15.2 SEER [Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU of cooling/Watt of electricity)]
9.5 EER [Energy Efficiency Ratio (BTU/Watt) at peak load]
Outdoor sound level: 51 / 53 dBA (Cooling / Heating)
Indoor Fan Coil Unit Sound Level: 49 / 47 / 41 dBA (High / Medium / Low Speeds)
Unit weight: Outdoor heat pump 234 LBS net unit weight
Indoor fan coil 165 LBS
Equipment Cost: $ 3,150 Means 2012
$ 5,455 as quoted by LG
The indoor unit will need to be operated at medium speed to satisfy the capacity requirements.
We recommend that this unit be installed in the same acoustical cabinet that was recommended
for the conventional fan coil units at Venice High School in Figure 13 to maintain the classroom
sound levels below 45 dBA, prevent students from accessing the unit and for better anchorage
and aesthetics.
Extra care should be taken about the location of outdoor units. They could be the source
of outdoor noise intrusion if they are located near windows, louvers or other openings into the
building as installed. The LG outdoor unit is very quiet with only 51 dBA during cooling but the
existing glazing could be single glazed and might not have sufficient attenuation value.
Replacement of adjacent glazing might be necessary. The wall mounted units have a
significantly higher outdoor sound level of 64 dBA for the future units that are not in the market
as yet. The current units are about 66 dBA outdoor sound level.
If the outdoor units are accessible or even visible from outside the school compound, they are
open to the risk of theft or vandalism. The accessibility of the units to the students is a risk to
physical harm. A protective enclosure is necessary. The wall mounted units impose the same
risk.
The condensate drain should be discharged to a drywell located far enough away from the
structural foundations or a planter.
This unit is a residential type unit and is limited to 230 V – 1 ɸ electrical power supply only. 480
V –3 ɸ units are preferred for classroom applications. If the existing wall mounted unit is wired
for 3 ɸ power, an 8 Ton unit could be installed to serve two fan coils in two classrooms. The
service can remain but the wire and breaker sizes will need to be increased. The 8 Ton units
have the outdoor sound level of 58 dBA and are still quieter than the wall mounted units.
The construction of this unit is also not as robust and sturdy as the conventional US made
units. We are of the opinion that this unit might not be as durable also due to the presence of
plastic components. However, the plastic components are just in the casing and the
manufacturers offered to provide custom metal components.
This unit has a higher SEER than the conventional Carrier split system heat pump unit; 15.2
against 14.8 but a lower EER; 9.5 against 12.5. Calculations with the current version of
EnergyPro will not provide a significantly better result than the Carrier unit. We calculated the
annual energy cost to be $ 1.65 per square foot per year for this unit in the valley. The cost
with the Carrier unit is $ 1.71.
We went to the jobsite on November 19th and took sound level and temperature distribution
measurements. We measured at 5’ from the front of the unit, center of room and 5’ out from
each corner. The results are found to be favorable at ± 45 dBA and ± 72⁰F at all locations.
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical is $ 14,100 from the
historical cost of 2009 to 2011 for northern and southern California as provided by the Benoist
Company. LG concurs with the number.
Total Installed Cost including Architectural, Structural and Electrical with acoustical enclosure is
$20,000 from the historical cost of 2009 to 2011 for northern and southern California as provided
by the Benoist Company. LG concurs with the number.
The duration of the installation of one new split system heat pump unit in a sound enclosure
inside a classroom is 3 working days. The Means labor cost for installation is $ 5,650.
Manufacturers included in the current LAUSD Guide Specifications: None at present.
Manufacturers of similar equipment: Daiken, Mitsubishi