Demand-controlled ventilation. CO2 sensors, occupancy sensors or people counters tell the controls how full a space is, and the outdoor air damper or ventilation fan modulates between a base rate for the building and the full rate for design occupancy. It saves the most in spaces with big swings in occupancy, such as gyms, auditoriums and meeting rooms, and codes require it in many of them.
DCV has the auditorium at minimum outside air with 400 people in there, the CO2 sensor is reading outdoor air, it's mislocated.
Also heard as
- demand-controlled ventilation
- demand control ventilation
Related terms
Ventilation rate
The amount of outdoor air deliberately brought into a space to dilute indoor contaminants, usually in cfm per person and per square foot.
IAQ
Indoor air quality: how clean and healthy indoor air is, judged by contaminants, ventilation, humidity and comfort.
Economizer
Dampers and controls that bring in cool outdoor air for free cooling instead of running compressors.
Damper
A blade or set of blades in a duct or opening that controls, balances or shuts off airflow.