Observation Potential Problems Possible Solution Too hot in summer Thermal discomfort Increase supply air flow Too cold in winter Increase coil capacity Relocate thermostats Lower or raise coil temperature Too cold in summer Thermal discomfort Calibrate thermostats Too hot in winter Relocate thermostats Subdivide zone Too humid Occupant discomfort Calibrate humidistat Microbiological Increase cooling coil capacity contamination Lower chilled water temperature Too dry Occupant discomfort Calibrate humidistat Static electricity problems Provide humidification Little detectable air movement Occupant discomfort Provide maintenance to system Still air Rebalance supply air distribution Stuffy air Provide return air grilles Balance exhaust with outside air intake Provide minimum position for VAV boxes Lingering odors Occupant discomfort Determine and remove sources of Occupant symptoms odors Increase outdoor air to building Moldy odors Microbiological Find and remove microbiological contaminants contaminants Remove moisture sources Inspect air handling unit (AHU) and supply ducts and clean if necessary Strong odors Occupant discomfort Remove or ventilate odor sources Occupant symptoms Increase ventilation No air movement Occupant discomfort Check shutdown and startup times of the AHU Review load–shedding practices Increase fan capacity Provide minimum setting for VAV boxes Rebalance airflow Return air velocity is weak Poor air distribution Provide return air fan Too few return air grilles Poor air distribution Provide more return air Supply diffusers located too Poor ventilation efficiency Separate supply diffuser and return close to return grilles air grille Outdoor air intake located Introduction of Relocate the outdoor air intake near contaminant sources contaminants to occupied Provide filtration of outdoor air Ambient outdoor air contains spaces contaminants excessive contaminants Air filters are dirty Air flow reduced Replace filters more frequently Particulate breakthrough Microbiological
Observation Potential Problems Possible Solution Too hot in summer Too cold in winter Thermal discomfort Increase supply air flow Increase coil capacity Relocate thermostats Lower or raise coil temperature Too cold in summer Too hot in winter Thermal discomfort Calibrate thermostats Relocate thermostats Subdivide zone Too humid Occupant discomfort Microbiological contamination Calibrate humidistat Increase cooling coil capacity Lower chilled water temperature Too dry Occupant discomfort Static electricity problems Calibrate humidistat Provide humidification Little detectable air movement Still air Stuffy air Occupant discomfort Provide maintenance to system Rebalance supply air distribution Provide return air grilles Balance exhaust with outside air intake Provide minimum position for VAV boxes Lingering odors Occupant discomfort Occupant symptoms Determine and remove sources of odors Increase outdoor air to building Moldy odors Microbiological contaminants Find and remove microbiological contaminants Remove moisture sources Inspect air handling unit (AHU) and supply ducts and clean if necessary Strong odors Occupant discomfort Occupant symptoms Remove or ventilate odor sources Increase ventilation No air movement Occupant discomfort Check shutdown and startup times of the AHU Review load–shedding practices Increase fan capacity Provide minimum setting for VAV boxes Rebalance airflow Return air velocity is weak Poor air distribution Provide return air fan Too few return air grilles Poor air distribution Provide more return air Supply diffusers located too close to return grilles Poor ventilation efficiency Separate supply diffuser and return air grille Outdoor air intake located near contaminant sources Ambient outdoor air contains excessive contaminants Introduction of contaminants to occupied spaces Relocate the outdoor air intake Provide filtration of outdoor air contaminants Air filters are dirty Air flow reduced Particulate breakthrough Microbiological Replace filters more frequently