Larson Building Systems Laboratory

Two researchers stand in a laboratory positioning a large blue funnel-shaped device while testing equipment. The room contains cables, fans and monitoring instruments arranged across the floor.

The Larson Building Systems Laboratory is a unique facility consisting of a pair of test chambers, each equipped with a full-sized commercial HVAC system, hot box chambers, benchtop educational platforms, and field measurement equipment for evaluating building system and envelope performance.

Two researchers work with HVAC testing equipment inside a laboratory mechanical space filled with insulated air ducts and ventilation systems. One researcher adjusts an instrument mounted in the ductwork while the other monitors the setup.

The lab’s test chambers are designed for dynamic testing of commercial HVAC systems. With the ability to reconfigure the interior chamber design and monitor and control HVAC system operation, the test chambers provide a platform for a range of building system performance testing, including:

  • Testing of hardware for HVAC components and systems, including AHUs, displacement ventilation units, chilled beams, radiant panels, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) units, coils, air mixers, dampers, filters, and variable frequency drives (VFDs)Ìý
  • Testing of HVAC control algorithmsÌý
  • Testing standalone HVAC and refrigeration systems, such as water heaters, boilers, thermal energy storage, and chillersÌý
  • Evaluating dynamic interactions between building thermal response and HVAC system controlsÌý

  • Evaluating the performance of ventilation and filtration systems for indoor air quality and infection controlÌý

    Learn more at the Larson Building Systems Lab website