Southwest HVAC News

Direct Expansion Solutions Provides Customized Energy-Efficient HVAC Equipment to The American Institute of Architects San Antonio New Center for Architecture.

System Delivers Zoned Climate Control to Reduce Cooling Costs.

Direct Expansion Solutions (DXS), a North American HVAC manufacturers' representative that specializes in variable refrigerant flow (VRF) implementation and design, announced today it provided a customized HVAC system to The American Institute of Architects San Antonio (AIA San Antonio) Center for Architecture, located at 1344 South Flores Street in the historic SoFlo area near downtown San Antonio.

“AIA San Antonio is fortunate to have a partner as committed to our industry as DXS is,” said John Mize, 2014 AIA San Antonio President. “They provided their unique expertise and a cutting-edge VRF system for our former space at Pearl Brewery, so we were delighted to work with them again.”

VRF technology offers multiple benefits compared with traditional systems, including energy efficiency and easy design, installation, and maintenance. The ability to control the refrigerant flow throughout a building will benefit The Center for Architecture, allowing its multiple users to control the climate in their space and reduce energy costs. Ductless installation will prevent heat loss/gain for additional savings.
 

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

“Our challenge was to create a functional and sustainable system that will efficiently provide a high level of comfort in a multi-space building,” said Thomas McLaughlin, DXS principal. “Our creative solution uses VRF technology to enable climate control of individual spaces such as large meeting areas and smaller offices, maximizing efficiency and minimizing energy costs.”

As one of the few HVAC providers in the nation to exclusively specialize in VRF solutions, DXS works with engineers, architects and building owners to provide comprehensive support in the design, implementation and maintenance stages. Alamo Architects and OCO Architects provided the architectural design, and worked with Cleary Zimmermann Engineers, who designed the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) building systems. DXS also worked with Gillette, the mechanical contractor, to install Daikin VRV Systems, with a mix of indoor ducted and ductless units operated by Daikin controls. The system qualifies for CPS Energy’s newly released VRF energy rebate program.

“Some of our goals for this project were to create a space with a low energy footprint and low operational costs, especially since the space is used for a variety of purposes, including offices, meeting space and large events,” said Cleary Zimmermann’s director of building analytics, Nishant Kanapilly, LEED BD+C. “We kept initial costs down by re-using most of the existing duct work, partitions and equipment in our design. Additionally, Demand Controlled Ventilation using CO2 sensors allows the amount of outside air required to be reduced to a minimum when the spaces are not being used.”
                                                         # # #.