How Advanced HVAC Design Delivers Better Results
As engineers, our job is to design systems that quietly work behind the scenes — so your customers stay comfortable, your produce stays fresh, and your energy costs stay down. That’s exactly what National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) set out to prove in their comprehensive study. Here’s what that means for you.
Why Humidity Control Makes All the Difference
In food retail, balancing indoor humidity isn’t just about comfort — it directly affects your bottom line. Too much moisture strains your refrigeration systems and creates foggy doors, while too little dries out fresh produce and can create static or shrinkage issues. NREL’s study found that maintaining a “sweet spot” between 48°F–52°F dew point temperature (DPT) not only improved customer experience but also reduced stress on cooling equipment. In practice, we designed for <50°-52°F DPT to maximize efficiency. The result? Lower energy bills and a better environment for your products and shoppers.
Smarter Air Delivery Reduces Costs and Improves Comfort
In NREL’s comprehensive analysis spanning all six official ASHRAE climate zones, the DOAS+ system equipped with Adaptive Multi-Path technology consistently outperformed other dedicated outdoor air systems in terms of energy efficiency. Regardless of geographical location or weather extremes — from the dry deserts of the Southwest to the cold northern regions — this advanced system demonstrated superior performance. Most notably, in hot and humid climates such as Miami, Florida, the DOAS+ with Adaptive Multi-Path technology delivered remarkable energy savings of up to 36%.
This impressive efficiency stems from the system’s ability to intelligently adjust air delivery paths in real time, optimizing both latent and sensible cooling loads based on the specific demands of the building and external conditions. By dynamically balancing ventilation and dehumidification, the system minimizes unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining comfortable indoor air quality. For building owners and facility managers, especially those operating in moisture-laden environments, this translates into not only lower utility bills but also reduced strain on HVAC equipment, extended system lifespan, and enhanced occupant comfort.
Proven Payback for Smart Investments
We understand capital costs are a key concern. That’s why we modeled systems to target 3- to 5-year payback periods — ensuring your upfront investment pays for itself quickly in energy savings. With favorable returns in every climate zone tested, upgrading your HVAC system isn’t just a smart operational decision — it’s a financial one too.
Our engineering team is ready to help design a system tailored to your store — balancing comfort, product quality, and energy efficiency. Let’s build a better shopping experience together.
Ready to optimize your store’s environment?
Contact the experts at Flo today to learn how we can design a system that fits your store’s unique needs. Email us at info@systemsflo.com or give us a call at 866-706-2647. We’re here to help you create a better shopping experience!