The quest for healthier healthcare indoor air quality (IAQ) has been answered by the ASCENDANT™, a recently-developed conventional cooling and active desiccant dehumidification hybrid HVAC system for operating rooms. The ASCENDANT recently won the coveted IAQ category of the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (AHR) Innovation Awards. Developed by HVAC product manufacturer, SEMCO® LLC, Columbia, Mo., the award was presented at the International AHR 2016 Exposition in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 26. 

High humidity and temperatures in healthcare, especially operating rooms (OR) are partially responsible for the worldwide rise in hospital acquired infections (HAI). The ASCENDANT inhibits HAI growth via lower dew point temperatures and supply air humidity levels, but without the significant and costly energy inefficiency trade-offs of conventional outdoor systems that skyrocket facility operational costs.

The 12-year-old annual AHR Innovation Awards judged by a panel of 14 non-biased, working engineer members of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) typically offer a futuristic look at HVAC innovations that promise significant societal improvements.  "Many of our past AHR Innovation Award winners have gone on to be significant game-changers in certain industries," said Clay Stevens, president, International Expo Co., Westport, Conn., which manages the three-day annual AHR Expo trade show that attracts more than 60,000 annually. "The ASCENDANT shows this kind of promise."   

For healthcare institutions, the ASCENDENT provides up to three-times more dehumidification capacity, achieves dew point temperatures as low as 20°F and uses up to 60-percent less cooling input versus conventional mechanical DX or chiller systems. An ASCENDANT allows the building HVAC system to run more efficiently by utilizing higher coil air discharge and central plant suction temperatures, thus it's compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 building energy, ASHRAE 62.1 indoor air quality (IAQ), and ASHRAE 170, "Ventilation of Health Care Facilities" the primary standard engineers use for healthcare HVAC design.

The ASCENDANT design can operate as a partial or dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS), or as a true variable air volume (VAV) unit. 

For more information, please visit www.semcohvac.com.