| Microbial growth on cooling coil surfaces is associated with deteriorated indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy penalty. The humid and cool environments around cooling coils, especially in a year-round hot and humid climate like Singapore, make them ideal places for microbial growth. Although ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) has been used for cooling coils for a few decades in real world, there have been very few scientifically rigorous peer-reviewed studies reported in hot and humid climates. In this study, field experiments were conducted for two cooling coils in Singapore to reveal the disinfection- and energy-related benefits of UVGI. Experimental results were also applied in modelling analysis to investigate its impact on chilled water system energy consumption. The results of this study established a better understanding of the relationship between UVGI, energy efficiency and IAQ in a hot and humid climate, which would have archival significance. |
