Describes a new method developed for controlling air volume for ducted central VAV (variable air volume) air conditioning systems, regarded as the air conditioning system of the next generation in the present Japanese market. States the new method makes it possible to maintain the balance of the air volume in each duct, even if the flow resistance in each duct route is diversified. This permits a 50% reduction in the power consumption of the indoor fan. Describes an algorithm for the new air volume control method and reports the results of analysis and experiments with regard to the effects.

KEYWORDS: Air conditioning, variable volume air conditioning, controls, air flow, Japan, housing, domestic, algorithms, electricity consumption, experiment