Advancements in energy efficient and net-zero energy buildings have focused primarily on reducing a building's sensible cooling loads by improving envelope design, integrating properly sized daylighting systems, reducing unwanted solar heat gains, reducing internal heat gains, and specifying heating and cooling equipment with high nominal efficiencies. However, as sensible loads decrease, latent loads remain relatively constant, and thus become a greater fraction of the overall cooling

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... nts, especially in humid climates. This shift toward low sensible heat ratio (SHR) loads is a challenge for conventional heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Other dehumidification strategies using solid desiccant and high-flow liquid desiccant technologies can remove water from air more efficiently, but include some disadvantages such as increased fan energy from airside pressure drop and corrosive desiccant droplet carryover. Low-flow liquid desiccant air-conditioning (LDAC) technology provides an alternative solution to standard vapor compression and offers several advantages over previous dehumidification systems, including but not limited to: • Eliminates the need for overcooling and reheating associated with vapor compression systems • Avoids the increased fan energy associated with solid desiccant systems • Reduces peak electricity demand compared to vapor compression systems by shifting latent cooling loads to thermal energy sources such as natural gas, solar thermal energy, and waste heat • Allows for more efficient ways to remove the heat of sorption than is possible in solid desiccant systems and reduces the flow rate of liquid desiccant needed compared to highflow LDAC systems, thus reducing desiccant droplet carryover and associated maintenance costs. This report offers an introduction to LDAC technology and provides guidance on site selection and design considerations so potential adopters can determine the appropriateness of LDAC technology for their building applications. It is intended to be used only as a preliminary screening tool to inform engineers and building owners prior to engaging in a site-specific design process. It also provides special considerations for LDAC applications in grocery stores and pool facilities, which are anticipated to be favorable market entry sectors for low-flow LDAC technology because of the potential for large utility bill savings. Table ES-1 summarizes the report content.