Each of these approaches have aided in decreasing the amount of energy
needed to operate green buildings.
Most energy saving systems used in green buildings have
neglected a significant component of HVAC systems, the ductwork
system. Conventional ductwork systems comprised of sheet
metal ductwork and diffusers have a number of features that can
adversely affect their performance. The conduction of heat through
the sheet metal leads to a loss in energy as the air is dispersed in
the building. Coatings can be added to the ductwork to make them
less conductive, but the coatings lead to additional costs in the system.
Moreover, the ductwork is heavy, and needs extra parts for
support. Most importantly, the non-homogeneous nature of the
airflow generated by diffusers leads to non-uniformities in heating/cooling
causing discomfort. Finally, placement of conventional
diffusers becomes a significant design decision in the effort to minimize
local hot/cold spots and unpleasant drafts within the space.
Recent advances in ductwork technology has shown promise
towards enhancing building efficiency. Fig. 1(b) shows a ventilation
system where an insulating fabric ductwork has been used to
transport air to desired locations within the building, thus limiting