Energy Conservation Using Variable-speed Chilled Water Pumps for Single-loop Chilled Water Systems with Fan-coil Units

ABSTRACT This article addresses the need to reduce energy consumption by chilled water pumps in air conditioning systems. In particular, this article considers the use of variable-speed pumping systems. Many office buildings in China utilize air conditioning systems with fan-coil units (FCUs) and a primary/secondary chilled water system without secondary pumps. The simulated air conditioning system performance analysis showed that the single-loop chilled water system with variable-speed chilled water pumps could be used in most office buildings where the cooling loads were synchronized to save energy. Installation of the new systems in two office buildings reduced the energy consumption of the chilled-water pumps by almost 50 percent.