UCSD Pacific Hall – VAV Retrofit.

The Pacific Hall VAV retrofit project involved upgrading the HVAC system of the six-story Pacific Hall building at UCSD to enable variable air volume operation and reduce energy usage. The retrofit project included updating the supply and exhaust fan motors with variable frequency drives (VFDs), installing air control valves and occupancy sensors, and modifying the fume hood ventilation system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

The system is designed to reduce ventilation rates to four ACH for unoccupied spaces and six ACH for occupied spaces. The project team also implemented load shedding programming during demand response events to reduce campus demand by at least 100 kW. Additionally, a student-led occupant awareness campaign was launched to encourage occupants to close fume hood sashes when not in use. The retrofit required coordination with 44 researchers and their staff, and protection of sensitive equipment and organisms. The recertification of fume hoods was managed to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, using nitrous oxide instead of sulfur hexafluoride.