When ambient temperatures are low, what does the economizer on a rooftop unit do with outside air?

When ambient temperatures are low, the economizer on a rooftop unit utilizes outside air to cool the space. The economizer serves a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency by allowing the system to use cooler outside air instead of working harder to cool the indoor environment through mechanical means.

In cooler weather, the strategist design of the economizer takes advantage of the low-temperature outside air to provide free cooling, which is particularly beneficial during transitional seasons or at night when temperatures drop. By introducing this outside air into the system, the economizer can maintain comfortable indoor conditions while reducing the load on the air conditioning equipment, leading to energy savings.

Using outside air for cooling is also a method to improve indoor air quality because it increases the ventilation rate. This feature is beneficial as long as the outdoor air quality is acceptable and there are no other environmental concerns.

Given this understanding, the economizer highlights how HVAC systems can adapt to different temperature conditions to optimize performance and energy use effectively.