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Things were getting dangerous for warehouse workers in an office park in Northeast Atlanta. During Atlanta’s spring and fall season when the weather heats up during the day and cools off at night, the warehouse floor would cool to dew point and cause the humidity in the air to condense on it, resulting in a slick work surface.

After an accident and several potentially dangerous situations caused by condensation forming on the warehouse floor, it was apparent something had to be done. Property management company CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), the largest property management company in the world, wanted to provide the best solution with minimal downtime for the four distribution warehouses in the office park totaling roughly 287,240 square feet.

“Our tenants were not happy with the current situation in their warehouses,” said John Wilson, first vice president of industrial asset services, CBRE. “We wanted to fix the problem to help our tenants, and we also wanted them to renew their leases. If this problem had gone unresolved, we would have had a high vacancy in the park during a soft economy.”

No more slip-ups…Lennox’ Humiditrol® dehumidification system to the rescueOne cost-effective HVAC solution creates a safer workplace

Project: Richard Ellis

Location: Northeast Atlanta, Georgia

Lennox District Manager: Greg Conners

Work@

The Humiditrol® system to the rescueThe consulting engineer presented several possible solutions to fix the condensation on the floor—clearing the warehouse and treating the floors, installing a very expensive desiccant dehumidification system, or installing the cost-effective L Series® rooftop unit with the Humiditrol® option.

“We determined installing the L Series rooftop units with the Humiditrol option was the best quality, long-term solution for our problem. It could be installed with no downtime and would create added value for our property,” said Wilson.

Mechanical contractor Capital City Mechanical handled the installation. “I was very impressed with the level of quality and service Capital City Mechanical delivered on this job,” said Wilson. “The equipment and technical skills used to present a comprehensive solution were excellent. They brought in a variety of consulting engineers, service providers, structural engineers, and utility company consultants for the job to predict the return on investment with the initial cost and operating costs over time. The consultants also determined proper loads and run times for the units, so the installation went smoothly.”

Lennox commercial territory manager Greg Connors has seen the Humiditrol work effectively in other similar climates. “Engineers have been facing

higher ventilation standards around the country due to code changes,” he said. “Higher ventilation rates yield higher cooling and heating loads, especially higher latent cooling loads in certain regions of the country. Lennox has effectively addressed these demands with the Humiditrol dehumidification system.”

“Not only do the L Series rooftop units with the Humiditrol option control humidity levels, they reduce operating costs by delivering dehumidification efficiently,” said Greg Green, partner, Capital City Mechanical. “By taking hot gas from the compressor and supplying it to the staged reheat coil, Lennox’ Humiditrol system offers an efficient, cost-effective alternative for controlling humidity, compared to other HVAC options or methods.”

A direct digital controller (DDC) system was integrated into each warehouse to control the units. This has allowed Capital City Mechanical to monitor the temperature and humidity levels off-site to assure humidity control and comfort 24 hours a day.

“With the DDC, we can also collect data and go back and review the history,” said Green. “This trending analysis allows us to plan for climate changes and maintain even climate control for our clients. We’ve kept these spaces at an average 55% relative humidity.”

Added perksA byproduct of installing the L Series rooftop units with the Humiditrol option is happier employees. Before, the warehouses had no air conditioning. When the units with the Humiditrol option were installed, employees’ attitude and work ethic were improved. The high turnover rate declined significantly.

“CBRE was able to take a problem, fix it for our current tenants, and create added value for future leases,” said Wilson. “We now can offer potential tenants climate-controlled warehouse space to maintain their product integrity. It’s a win-win situation. We’re able to meet tenants’ needs and also lease the space for higher rates.”

“Because of our success in alleviating the humidity in these warehouses, we have several pharmaceutical and x-ray companies seeking warehouse spaces with the Humiditrol option installed,” said Green. “These companies need adequate humidity and temperature control to maintain their products’ integrity, and the L Series rooftop unit with the Humiditrol option is one of the best solutions around.”

© Lennox Industries Inc. 2005

Visit us at www.lennox.com, or contact us at 1-800-9-LENNOX

Product Overview:Unit

L Series® rooftop units

Contractor: John Wilson, Capital City Mechanical

PC55360(93M72)-09/08

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