According to Weale, et al (2002), "Selecting a lower design face velocity reduces the pressure drop of the air-handling unit and the proportional energy consumption." Ventilation energy can be reduced by 30 to 65 percent by reducing the air handling system's pressure drop. Traditional methods of sizing the air handling system and long entrenched "rules of thumb" limit implementing this design approach. A systemic evaluation is required that review every component in the design to minimize restriction of air flow including coils, filters, and so-called "system effects." Sound attenuators should be eliminated with "the best" design practice. Three-fold reductions in pressure drop are achievable. [Weale, 2002]
High static pressure drop systems can have various operational problems. Excessive damper leakage in mixing boxes, inappropriate mixing air streams, increased amount of reheat, and over-pressurization of lab spaces can result, reports Liu, et al (1997). Therefore, in existing systems with these problems, actual fan power and heating and cooling energy consumption exceeds predicted design values and space conditions are not maintained. [Liu, 1997]
