UNDERFLOOR & DISPLACEMENT VENTILATION

A Product Guide for Sustainable Design

PRICE WORKS HARD TO PROMOTE THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

materials and innovative air distribution technologies to improve the air quality
and environment integrity of buildings. Price has a long history of designing
and promoting products that are energy efficient and ideal for “Green Building”
designs. Price is committed to the continual introduction of new products and
systems that further the goals outlined by the USGBC.

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 GR EEN INITIAT IVE S
Price has been a member of the United States Green Building Council
(USGBC) for almost three years. This membership allows us to com-
ment on new green building programs, such as the LEED program,
and take an active role in the maintenance of such programs.
Price is committed to sustainable design and has made efforts to
design products and employee manufacturing techniques that
promote these ideals. This support is obvious in the development
of products for Displacement Ventilation, Underfloor Air Distribution,
Personal Control (Prodigy, Varitherm) and Fan Terminals with ECM The Edgewater Casino in Vancouver, BC Canada
Motors, but also in the way that Price conducts business everyday.

Some of the efforts E.H. Price has recently made to reduce

environmental impact of the manufacturing processes are:
Our high tech paint line allows us to consistently paint product
with a durable finish, free of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), while producing nearly zero waste. The powder that
does not make it onto a product is collected and used for the
next batch.
Increasing the speed of the paint line has allowed us to turn
off the ovens for hours at a time. Price has begun converting
the cooling of our spot welders from a continuous flow of DF1Rs are installed along the wall near the gaming tables on the upper level
potable city water to dedicated chillers; a big win for water
efficiency.
We are installing T5 lighting in our new building, which is
expected to reduce lighting energy consumption by 30%.
Price has recently been involved in two “green” events. First, Price
had a booth at the USGBC’s annual conference, Greenbuild.
Price is well on its way to becoming the leading manufacturer
of air distribution equipment in the green market. We were the only
manufacturer of displacement ventilation products to have a booth
at the show. This product line was a shining star at Greenbuild,
boosted by several technical sessions discussing the merits of
displacement ventilation systems, one speaker even mentioned
how happy he is with the Price displacement outlets he specified
and were installed last year.
Radio Shack Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas USA
Look for more information on Price’s Green Journey and be sure to
was a great success with an attendance of over 90 engineers,
stop by our booth at next year’s conference in Denver, November
architects, mechanical reps and contractors from California and
15 - 17, 2006.
Nevada to Michigan and New Jersey. Attendees learned about the
Second, in mid November, Price held a Sustainable Building advantages of DV and UFAD, with emphasis on the local building
Seminar in Las Vegas, NV which focused on Displacement issues. As such, a lot of time was spent on the Indoor Air
Ventilation and Underfloor Air Distribution. This event was tailored Quality advantages offered by DV and UFAD systems. DV and
to the local market and much of the discussion focused on how UFAD are the perfect air distribution solutions to buildings that per-
these technologies relate to the markets for casinos and large mit smoking or have other IAQ considerations due to the general
public spaces such as theaters, libraries and lobbies. This event upward air flow.

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 A IR D IS TR IBUT ION T E CHNOL OGI E S
ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE
Energy Performance
UFAD
UFAD provides many opportunities for reducing the energy
consumption typical of a traditional overhead air delivery system.
Due to the air outlets being at floor level, the mixing zone usually
only extends from the floor to approximately 6ft above the floor.

ASHRAE standard 55 limits the combination of air velocity and

temperature according to Figure 4. Additionally, when an underfloor FIGURE 1 Typical UFAD Room Air Dynamics
plenum is used, conduction through the floor causes the floor
surface temperature to be slightly warmer than the supply air
temperature. As a result, the typical cooling supply air temper-
atures should be approximately 10oF higher than with overhead
mixing flows in order to maintain comfort conditions and ensure
that the floor is not so cold as to cause discomfort. The decreased
mixing zone, (Figure 1), dramatically reduces the cooling air
capacity required to satisfy the cooling load as the warm-
est air has naturally risen to the ceiling level and remains
there, outside of the mixed zone. The lesser cooling requirements
and higher supply air temperatures often lead to similar
supply air volumes as in overhead air distribution. The total room FIGURE 2 Displacement Ventilation
loads have not changed, and therefore, due to the higher supply
person, machinery or other heat source, delivering air only to the
air temperature and stratification above the mixing zone, the
areas that require it (Figure 2), dramatically reducing the cooling
return air temperature of a UFAD system is substantially higher
load.
than for a mixed system. The increased return air temperature and
supply air temperature contribute to an increased chiller COP, As there is limited entrainment of room air, the temperatures at
providing energy savings. the floor level are often very near supply air temperature. Thermal
Higher supply temperatures extend the free cooling band, the hours comfort criteria stipulate that the supply air temperature be
in the day where the ventilation system can use outdoor air to cool similar to those of UFAD, leading to the same types of energy savings
the building; in some climates (where humidity is less of an issue) due to equipment size and efficiencies. Displacement diffusers
this leads to increased use of the economizer, an excellent way to generally have low face velocities and very low static pressure
reduce energy consumption. Further energy savings are realized with losses. Further energy savings can be realized by lower duct
the reduced air pressure required for the system. UFAD installations static pressures as discussed in the UFAD section.
typically work at a plenum pressure of < .1" wg, reducing duct static
As with a UFAD system, there is an increased opportunity for free
pressure and the fan requirements for the system. Reducing the fan
cooling and use of an economizer due to the higher supply
requirements usually means that smaller equipment can be
temperatures. These provide an excellent opportunity for energy
sized. A secondary benefit is a reduction in the cost of the HVAC
savings because the ventilation air can be used for conditioning the
equipment.
space directly, so long as the relative humidity of the outdoor air is
Displacement Ventilation acceptable. Many displacement ventilation systems are using
Displacement Ventilation affords many of the energy savings auxiliary cooling to manage the majority of the cooling load in the
of UFAD. Due to the diffusers being at floor level and their low occupied zone; this allows the displacement system to supply
velocity and low induction supply, the mixing zone is virtually enough air to meet the ventilation requirements only. These
eliminated. With little or no entrainment of room air, the supply air much lower supply air volumes can lead to significant reduction in
flows along the floor until it is caught in a thermal plume from a energy consumption on the air side of the mechanical system.

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ECM™ Motors
Electrically Commutated Motors have a minimum efficiency of 70% 0.50
throughout their entire operating range. Conventional induction 0.45
motors become less efficient at the reduced speeds that are 0.40
typically selected for fan-powered applications. Energy savings of

AIR VELOCITY, m/s

0.35
50 - 60% can be achieved with the ECM™ motor at normal operating
0.30
conditions. The ECM™ motor life is extended due to its low
0.25
operating temperature and ball bearing design.
0.20
Price Industries offers ECM™ motors on all fan-powered terminals 0.15
for overhead and underfloor systems. 0.10

0.05
Control of Systems
0
UFAD
Price offers many options for local air delivery control. The Price TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE, K
RFTDA and RFID allow occupants to adjust the flow out of each 0.50
outlet in the interior zone or direction of primary jet, respectively. 0.45
These units are typically installed at each workstation, allowing 0.40
employees to individually control the supply air to their space.

AIR VELOCITY, m/s

0.35

0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE, K

FIGURE 4 Percentage of Occupants Objecting to Draft in Air-Conditioned Rooms

FIGURE 3 RFTDA & RFID

Overhead Air Distribution
The Price Prodigy® personal VAV diffuser allows personal control of
a zone by use of an optional thermostat or infrared remote control.
These diffusers are an ideal solution to providing personal control
in an office environment.
Displacement Ventilation
Due to the fact that air is introduced at low velocity and at floor
level, there is minimal entrainment of room air. Displacement
diffusers are designed to introduce air at a higher temperature than
typical air distribution systems. This is in consideration of ASHRAE
55 which limits the combination of temperatures and velocities
which can occur in the occupied zone according to Figure 4.

Thermal Comfort
UFAD
Underfloor air distribution swirl diffusers are designed to have high
induction rates with short penetration into the room. They also tend
to cause little disturbance of the surrounding air, allowing them to
be located in the work area. The mixing that occurs in the occupied
zone causes consistent temperature throughout the occupied zone
and a thermally comfortable environment.
The intent of introducing the supply air at low velocities and levels
in the space is to stratify the zone. Another stipulation in ASHRAE
55 is that the maximum temperature gradient allowed from ankle
to head level is 5oF (3oC); the ideal temperature gradient in the
occupied zone is approximately 4oF (2oC). Care must be taken
when designing these types of systems not to over-stratify the
zone by underestimating the cooling load or to sub cool the space
by overestimating the load.

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INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
UFAD
Generally, underfloor air distribution mixes the occupied zone, while
having sufficiently low penetration levels to cause a stratification
layer above it. This promotes a general upward movement of air as
warm, contaminated air is removed from the stratified zone, being
replaced by fresh supply air from below.

Displacement Ventilation
Displacement ventilation presents an opportunity to improve both
the thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) of the occupied
space. Displacement ventilation takes advantage of the difference
in air density between an upper contaminated zone and a lower
clean zone as illustrated in Figure 5. Cool air is supplied at low
velocity into the lower zone. Convection from heat sources creates
vertical air motion into the upper zone where high level return
outlets extract the air. In most cases these convection heat sources 8
Croom

Height above floor, z (m)

are also the contamination sources, (people or equipment) thereby
carrying the contaminants into the upper zone, away from the
6.5
occupants (Figure 2). 5
Increased Ventilation Effectiveness
According to ASHRAE Standard 62, Addendum n, Appendix E,
3.5 Tplane2
Tplane1
Displacement Ventilation and UFAD both provide a ventilation 2 Troom
effectiveness which exceeds that of OHAD.
0
ASHRAE 62.1 requires that the ventilation airflow be divided by the
ventilation effectiveness. Displacement ventilation and underfloor Contamination, Croom Temperature, Θ
air distribution have typical ventilation effectivenesses ranging
from 1.2 to 4 in cooling mode. This can cause a dramatic reduc-
tion in the outdoor air requirement and significant energy savings
FIGURE 5 Typical Contamination Concentration in an Environment that employs
through reduced conditioning load. Displacement Ventilation

The Center for the Built Environment

Price is pleased to announce its support of and participation in the Center for the
Built Environment. The Center for the Built Environment (CBE) is a consortium of
industry partners including consulting firms, manufacturers, utilities, the Univer-
sity of California, Berkeley and governmental regulatory bodies. It is a dynamic,
collaborative place where people can share ideas for improving the design and
operation of commercial buildings. Based in Berkeley, California, the CBE is in the
San Francisco Bay area, a hotbed of innovative building design.

The CBE is dedicated to furthering our understanding of thermal comfort and

innovative design technologies in buildings of all types. These include advanced
metrics for human occupancy satisfaction as well as years of research in Underfloor
Air Distribution.

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Displacement
Ventilation
PRODUCT LIST

Product Description Image

DF1/DF3 Rectangular • Flat face diffuser supported by a rigid aluminum frame

Displacement Diffuser • Easily installs against structural columns

DF1W Rectangular 1-Way • Wall mounted displacement diffuser

In-Wall Displacement • Provided with engineered plenum

• Fits into standard wall stud spacing
Diffuser
DF1R 1-Way Diffuser for • Architecturally pleasing & discreetly designed
Recessed Applications • Low air mixing is coupled with low noise levels

DF1C Rectangular 1-Way • Flat faced diffuser creates appealing 45° corner detail
Corner Displacement • Nests within corner, ideal for office applications
Diffuser

DR360 Full Round • Low turbulence flow with low velocities

Displacement Diffuser • Available in Duct Hanging (DH) configurations

DR180 Half Round • Low turbulence flow with low velocities

Displacement Diffuser • Typically placed against a wall or other flat surface

DR180U Round 180º • High capacity half round diffuser

Displacement Diffuser • High air volumes with minimized induction

DR90 Round 90º Displacement • Round face corner displacement outlet

Diffuser • Ideal for office and classroom applications

DLE/DLE-H Displacement Linear • Architecturally appealing perimeter diffuser

Enclosure • Can be supplied with integrated auxiliary heat

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Underfloor
PRODUCT LIST

Product Description Image

RFTD/ Round Floor • High induction, short throw diffuser promotes stratification
RFTDA Turbulant Diffuser • Face adjustable supply air volume (RFTDA only)

RFID Round Floor Inclined • Inclined jet allows control of supply air direction
Diffuser • High induction, short throw diffuser

ARFHD Aluminum Round Floor • Displacement floor outlet

Horizontal Flow Diffuser • Horizontal air pattern minimizes induction

DBV Round Floor Variable Air • VAV control of round floor diffusers
Volume Basket • Plug and play connector to Price UFAD controllers

RPN Relative Pressure Node • Monitors room pressure

• Hides under standard floor diffusers to keep
consistant look

RFB Round Floor Boot • Controls air volume through floor diffusers
• Available in CAV Heating and VAV Cooling as well
as CAV models

LFG Linear Floor Grille • Well suited for perimeter applications

• Allows for the supply and control of warm and cold
supply air from raised floor systems

UMC Underfloor Modulating • Cooling only VAV controller

Controller • Controls up to 14 RFBs/LFGs/DBVs

UMCB Underfloor Modulating • Advanced control of UFAD terminals

Controller - Box Control • BACnet compliant UFAD controller

FDBU Underfloor Fan Powered • Clean and efficient design

Terminal Unit • Low noise generation for quiet operation

FDCU Underfloor Fan Powered • Low noise generation for quiet operation
• Compact configuration makes for easy install
Terminal Unit

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 I N T H E U N I T E D S TAT E S
• US Head Office, Laboratory & Testing
Facilities, Manufacturing Facilities &
2975 Shawnee Ridge Court Distribution Warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia
Suwanee, Georgia USA 30024
• Representation in major US cities
Ph: 770.623.8050 Fax: 770.623.6404

I N T H E U N I T E D S TAT E S
999 North Thornton Road
Casa Grande, Arizona USA 85222-3809
• Manufacturing Facilities & Distribution
Warehouse in Phoenix, Arizona
• Representation in major US cities

Ph: 520.423.0515 Fax: 520.423.0517

IN CANADA

• Head Office, Export Sales Office,

638 Raleigh Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R2K 3Z9
Ph: 204.669.4220 Fax: 204.663.2715
Y O U R L O C A L P R I C E R E P R E S E N TAT I V E :
Laboratory & Testing Facilities,
Manufacturing Facilities & Distribution
Warehouse in Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Sales Offices or Representation in all
major Canadian cities

Printed on 100% Recycled paper with 30% Post Consumer waste.

The founding principles of our company have never changed - business integrity, first-class service and a commitment to people. Price manufacturing endeavours
arose from our belief that we could supply superior products and services at a reasonable price. Our mission is to become the worldwide supplier of
preference for air distribution products and services. You can rely on Price – our products and services – with confidence.

Product Improvement is a continuing endeavour at Price. Therefore, specifications are subject to change without notice. Consult your Price sales representative
for current specifications or more detailed information.

Warranty: The Company warrants and guarantees that all goods within this brochure that have been manufactured by the Company have been manufactured in accordance with
the specifications published herein and will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of twelve (12) months from the Bill of Lading issued by the Company. The
Company will replace defective product at its option, but will not be responsible for labor or material charges in replacing product or consequential damages. Any installation not
conforming with the Company’s specifications, manuals, bulletins or instructions or any misuse or any modification not authorized by the Company voids this warranty. This warranty
is in lieu of all Provincial, State, and Federal statutory warranties and the conditions herein are in substitution and replacement of which warranties, statutory or otherwise.

® Price is a registered trademark of E.H. Price Limited. © 2006.

Lithographed in Canada 2006

AIR DISTRIBUTION PRODUCTS FOR WORLD-CLASS CITIES

Grilles, Registers & Diffusers Terminal Units Underfloor Products Security Products Displacement Ventilation

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