Case Study: Dunham Associates achieves optimized ventilation performance and energy savings with ANSYS Airpak

Dunham Associates - Customer Case Study

Dunham Associates, a U.S.-based mechanical and electrical engineering consulting firm specializing in sustainable design and LEED certification, faced the challenge of designing complex ventilation systems for large commercial buildings—often using under-floor air distribution (UFAD) or displacement ventilation—to meet occupant comfort, indoor air quality and energy-efficiency goals. To address these requirements during early design phases, Dunham turned to ANSYS and its ANSYS Airpak airflow modeling software.

By using ANSYS Airpak, Dunham simulated ventilation performance before construction, streamlining diffuser placement, optimizing supply flow rates and temperatures, and quickly evaluating design alternatives. The ANSYS solution improved ventilation effectiveness, supported evidence for LEED and rating criteria, helped identify design conflicts and best use of project funds, and—with the Airpak 3.0 64-bit release—boosted productivity and enabled the firm to undertake larger projects while producing clear visualizations for clients.

Dunham Associates

John Costello

Mechanical