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Mechanical / HVACaka: airside economizeraka: waterside economizeraka: free cooling

Economizer

In Plain English

An HVAC control that uses cool outdoor air to reduce or replace mechanical cooling when conditions allow.

Definition

An HVAC system component that uses outdoor air for free cooling when outdoor conditions are favorable, reducing or eliminating the need for mechanical refrigeration. Air-side economizers introduce large quantities of outdoor air through the air handler; water-side economizers use a heat exchanger to pre-cool condenser water using a cooling tower without operating the chiller. Economizers are required by energy codes in many climate zones.

Example

The air-side economizer provides 100 percent outside air cooling during mild weather, reducing annual chiller energy use by 30 percent.

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