E+: Fan:OnOff consumes 1/3 of Fan:ConstantVolume
In the process of trial and error linked to this question, I've set up two test cases where the only difference is:
* First case, the AirLoopHVACUnitarySystem has a Fan:ConstantVolume
, logically with a Supply Air Fan Operating Mode Schedule Name of always 1 (it won't accept anything else, see doc)
* Second case, and the other has a Fan:OnOff
, with a Supply Air Fan Operating Mode Schedule Name corresponding to my operating hours.
For some reason, my total EUI went down by 15%, with fan power lowering by 2/3 of what it was and some cooling savings (fraction of motor heat probably), and a small heating penalty.
Both of my fans are either running at a constant level or off, and they are exactly the same in both simulation.
Here's what the Zone Mechanical Ventilation Current Density Volume Flow Rate
looks like for the same exact zone, for case 1 (left) and case 2 (right):
Here are the fans for two systems (the first one is the one represented on the above graph), but I've checked that all of them are the same between the two cases
Note that the Fan:OnOff
has two modified curves:
* Fan Power Ratio Function of Speed Ratio Curve Name => Set to only have a constant coefficient of 1, rest 0
* Fan Efficiency Ratio Function of Speed Ratio Curve Name => Also set Constant of 1, rest 0
Edit: I also tried removing the curve objects, and I get exactly the same results
Why would a Fan:OnOff
consumes only 1/3 of the consumption of a Fan:ConstantVolume
if they are used exactly the same?
Edit
I've checked the Fan Runtime Fraction
for the Fan:OnOff
: when on it's 1 in almost all zones, except a few that are around 0.75 (don't know why).
I've used the OpenStudio report for Outdoor Air, and multiplied the Zone Volume by the Avg Mechanical Ventilation (ACH), and summed that across all zones. The Fan:OnOff
cases only has less ventilation by 2.5%, not nearly enough to justify saving 66% on fan energy.
What happens when you remove the speed curve?
@rraustad: I get exactly the same results.
I'd like to review those input files. Email me directly or link here.
I guess the cooling is by a DX coil? you might check the Cooling Coil Runtime Fraction for example. The dx coil operation affects the on/off fan in ways that don't exist for the constant volume fan. I have been seeing this same thing in my separate fan project.
WaterToAirHeatPump, both cooling and heating.