Abstract
This article proposes two solutions focusing on reducing energy consumption in air handling unit (AHU). The first solution introduces a sustainable pack consisting of a ground heat exchanger (GHE) and two PCM-filled heat exchangers (PCMHE). In the sustainable pack, two PCMs are used to boost the chance of providing cold water. The cold water leaving the sustainable pack is directed to the AHU to cool the incoming fresh air. By integrating the sustainable pack, energy usage was reduced by 4512 Wh/m(2) resulting in a 32% reduction in CO2 emissions. In the second solution, PCM was used to reduce energy exchange and it was observed that in the hottest month, the indoor surface temperature cools down by 1.3 degrees C. Owing to lower energy usage, CO2 emissions declined by 50% than that of buildings without PCM/sustainable pack. Effects of PCM were dependent on the PCM volume fraction, especially at lower volume fractions. At volume fractions of 10% and 20%, the amount of energy consumption was 6979 and 1430 Wh/m(2). With increasing the volume fraction of PCM to 30, 40 and 50%, no significant change in energy consumption was observed.