Fans Move Oasis Air

Oases on the Illinois Tollway provide a respite for travelers. The all-glass façades presented a challenge to heat and cool sustainably. All photos: Gary L. Parr

High-volume, low-speed fans circulate air and provide energy savings for the Illinois Tollway oases.

Designed as an “oasis” for travelers and Illinois residents, six 40,000-sq.-ft., glass-façade facilities are sprinkled along the Illinois Tollway system. Perched above the highway and spanning four to eight lanes of traffic, the buildings are accessible from both directions of the highway and all directions of street traffic. The oases serve approximately 12 million annual visitors.

In addition to accessibility, with the availability of free parking, food and drink options, ample indoor seating, and even designated meeting spaces, the oases welcome more than just travelers. The facilities frequently host area professionals for business meetings, training sessions, and job fairs. Seasonal programming offers fresh-produce markets, occasional live music, and even gift-buying opportunities.

The oases are promoted as Cooling and Warming Centers by the state highway authority, encouraging Illinois residents and travelers to escape the state’s seasonal high or low temperatures within the facilities. Keeping the indoor atmosphere of the oases at a comfortable temperature, no matter the season, is an operating and energy-efficiency priority for U.S. Equities Asset Management, Chicago.

“The clean and inviting oases, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, welcome those who need to get off the road to send a text, charge up their phone, or plug in a laptop, and it’s also not uncommon to see a number of people connecting to the free Wi-Fi while passing through,” said David Myles, vice president of U.S. Equities Asset Management. “We encourage people to take advantage of the many services and food offerings, while enjoying the sustainable environment we have created.”

EVOKING THE NAME As the oasis name evokes a mindset of providing a refuge, escape, or sanctuary, it’s important that the facilities live up to the name. Although the buildings are equipped with HVAC systems for air conditioning and heating, the glass walls and 24-hr. timeframe present unique challenges for management to maintain a comfortable indoor atmosphere.

During high-traffic periods, usually in the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, air-conditioning units run 24 hr./day. Heat radiating through

A pair of fans keeps the oasis air volume mixed, generate comfortable air flow, and make it possible to raise the thermostat temperature 3 deg.

The 24-ft.-dia. AirVolution fans use a 1-hp motor and work in tandem with the HVAC system.

the glass façade, combined with increased amounts of body heat, make keeping a consistent indoor temperature difficult. After installing air curtains at the entrances, management turned to R. Williamson & Associates, a Chicago-based manufacturer’s representative of commercial and industrial air-movement equipment. Representative Scott Williamson knew he could create a way to ensure consistent temperatures within the buildings so Myles could raise the temperature setting on air-conditioning units, saving on operating costs. Complementing the existing HVAC systems with high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans proved to be a cost-efficient solution for the summer months, and the fans would prove equally effective in colder months.

Williamson selected HVLS fans from MacroAir. The San Bernardino, CA-company originated the technology in 1998 and manufactures six-blade fans. The AirVolution series was chosen for the oases and two 24-ft. fans with 1-hp motors were installed in each facility. The fans generate a large column of air that gently flows down to the ground and outward 360 deg. The large, slow-moving air mass moves throughout a space, mixing and circulating air more efficiently. The

gentle airflow does not create or stir up dust. The company custom painted the fans white to provide a subtlety in the already neutral and relaxed design of the buildings.

In summer months and during occupied time, which sees usage spikes, Myles was able to raise the thermostat temperature on the air-conditioning units by 3 deg., a big energy-saving move.

“The fans are a very nice amenity and get a lot of attention, mostly because people have never seen one so large,” says Myles. “More importantly, we were able to raise the thermostat setting during high-temperature periods, saving energy to enhance our sustainable achievements. Seventy-seven degrees doesn't feel like 77 when air is moving.”

“The HVLS fans create a comfortable environment by circulating air within the entire space, creating a consistent temperature from floor to ceiling. This eliminates the hot and cold spots that exist when circulation is lacking,” said Williamson. “You can have the sun beating down on you and still be comfortable because of the consistent indoor atmosphere the fans help create.”

During cooler-temperature months, much of the heat added to facilities by traditional HVAC systems travels to the ceiling. While HVAC systems help distribute air, there is no means of mixing it. HVLS fans installed within the oases continue to work in tandem with the HVAC systems when temperatures cool in Illinois by de-stratifying warm air collected at the ceiling and redistributing it back down to the floor.

MacroAir HVLS fans are unique as the fans are designed to run in reverse. By reversing the fans during the colder months, the same circulation is maintained throughout the space, but it eliminates the wind-chill effect that exists when the fans are blowing in the forward direction. By reversing the direction of the HVLS fans inside the oases during colder-temperature months, Myles plans to continue monitoring his HVAC system usage and expects to see lower thermostat temperatures from the traditional fall/ winter settings of 68 degrees during the occupied period and 66 degrees during the unoccupied period. CBP

DATA CACHE

Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/jun2014.

Circle 9 on the Reader Service Card.

Download a spec sheet on AirVolution fans.

Watch a video on MacroAir’s AirViz 3-D motion tool that details fan performance. Watch a video on MacroAir’s AirViz 3-D motion tool that details fan

Watch a video on the fan’s cooling properties.

Custom paint helps the fans blend in with the building design.

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EDITORS’ CHOICE

Multiport tees for PEX

Multiport tees:

• Use ProPEX memory-shape connection • High-fl ow branch and fl ow-through models • Reduce the amount of needed connections

High-fl ow branch and fl ow-through engineered polymer multiport tees are available for installations where supply lines are required to be upsized due to pressure or code requirements. One multiport is said to reduce the amount of needed connections by 45%. Both devices have 1 1/4-in. inlets with three 3/4-in. outlets.  e products use the company’s ProPEX connection that uses shape memory to create a durable connection.

Uponor Inc., Apple Valley, MN Circle 93

Air-cooled scroll chillers

AGZ-E line of air-cooled scroll chillers for small to mid-sized buildings and critical facilities, including elementary schools, data centers, and hospitals, has factory-installed custom pump packages for fast installation. The chillers exceed ASHRAE 90.1 2013 and FEMP 2012 standards. The units use RapidRestore to provide 100% chilled-water capacity reportedly in less than 4 min. after a power loss or in 2 min. from stand-by mode. Units require only a 4-ft. clearance to a wall or between units.

Daikin Applied, Minneapolis Circle 94

Fixture/lamp for air handling units X-Plus UV fi xture accommodates 17- to 61-in. extended-base lamps that mount from the exterior of HVAC systems, air handlers, plenums, or ducts. The NEMA-rated unit requires no interior unit access and is said to work for hard-to-access outdoor and indoor equipment to 30 tons, including rooftop package units, through-the-wall, or fancoil units.

UV Resources, Santa Clarita, CA Circle 95

Monitoring and control Ascent building-management system combines BACnet protocol and Tridium’s Niagara Framework in a single controller for integration of multiple building systems. The system uses Microset 4 wall sensor, control module global controller, and Compass software. Along with monitoring and control of HVAC systems, the system offers an open protocol for integration with other building systems including lighting, security/access control, and fi re and life safety.

Alerton, Redmond, WA Circle 96

Tankless rack system

The company’s TRS tankless rack system offers reported simple installation and built-in redundancy. The system can be used with or without storage tanks and works with large, recirculating loops. With an input range of 400,000 to 4.9 million

Btu and a turndown ratio of 327:1, the system is available in free-standing or wall-mount options for indoor or outdoor applications. The system fi ts through a standard 32-in. doorway.

Rinnai America Corp., Peachtree City, GA Circle 97

Stand-alone or cascade boiler

Buderus GB162 gas condensing boiler combines condensing and cascade technologies in one compact unit to provide effi ciencies reportedly as high as 93%. Used for wall- or rack-mounted applications, as many as 8 units can be cascaded for a total capacity to 2,664 mbh. The unit has an aluminum silicate ALU-Plus condensing heat exchanger and can modulate down to 20% of total output.

Bosch Thermotechnology, Londonderry, NH Circle 98

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Vertical air handler PVFY vertical air handlers have increased static capacity to allow longer duct runs and improved air delivery. Other product features include an additional set of contacts for economizer control, certified sound-power and sound-pressure ratings, and compatibility with all current and previous of the company’s VRF zoning outdoor units.

Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating, Suwanee, GA Circle 99

Replacement fan-coil unit ReStoraMOD modular high-rise replacement fan-coil series can reportedly be installed with minimal disturbance to existing wall and room finishes and without requiring demolition. Designed for minimally invasive installation, a threestep installation process includes: removal of existing surface components and trim drywall, removal of the existing unit’s internal components and trim cabinet edges, and setting the new unit into the cavity and hooking it up. The unit is available in 300, 400, and 600 cfm models.

International Environmental Corp. (IEC), Oklahoma City Circle 100

Hand dryer Smartdri Plus high-speed hand dryer for high-traffic areas is said to provide a longer motor life than other hand dryers. Without heat, the unit uses only 400 W. The dryer is fully automatic, touchless, and uses SteriTouch antimicrobial technology.

World Dryer, Berkeley, IL Circle 101

Hydronic boilers Endura boiler is available in 750,000 and 1,000,000 Btu/hr. sizes along with the earlier models in 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 Btu/ hr. models. The boilers have a duplex stainless-steel three-pass heat exchanger with enhanced fi reside surfaces and as much as a 12:1 turndown capability. The line provides less than 20-ppm NOx emissions, full input with 4-in. wc incoming natural-gas pressure, and 120-V single-phase power supply.

Fulton Companies, Pulaski, NY Circle 104

Air-handling units Ventus Born in the U.S.A. line of air-handling units is engineered for North American applications in settings including healthcare, offi ces, schools, and retail environments. The units are ready to install in a compact, lightweight package with frameless casing. Frameless casing panels use polyurethane foam with double-side zinc-coated steel sheets. The units operate in temperatures from –40 F to 150 F and are available in horizontal and vertical confi gurations.

VTS America, Buford, GA Circle 102

Modular drainage products A light-commercial modular drainage line has a universal body for quick fl oor drain, roof drain, and cleanout confi gurations. A rough-in cover protects the aesthetic top and allows post-pour adjustment. The universal cover also allows alignment of square tops to the grout line.

Zurn Industries, Erie, PA Circle 103

Breaking the Curve

Architects designing Legacy Junior High School faced a challenge: create a space to inspire and excite students. Through lively community collaboration, the project came together, incorporating sinuous and sophisticated green metal contours hip enough to intrigue students.

Visit www.mbci.com/curve for more information.

Product catalog The company’s product catalog for piping systems is accessible online and in print. The catalog includes descriptions of green products, updated technical information, and photos.

Aquatherm, Lindon, UT Circle 105

Project: legacy Junior high School

Location: layton, Utah architect: vcbo architecture

contractor: all metals fabrication

PaneL ProFiLe: PbU (Tundra / laurel Green / Galvalume Plus ® ), artisan (Tundra), flat Sheet (Tundra / laurel Green)

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copyright © 2014 mbci. all rights reserved.

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Phone: 877.713.6224 e-mail: info@mbci.com