Understanding the New Compressed Air Section in Energy Standard ASHRAE90.1-2022

As of January, 2023, the 90.1-2022 standard includes a new section numbered 10.4.6 that falls in the Other Equipment chapter, which also covers elevators, escalators and air curtains. The 10.4.6 section brings compressed air systems into this engineering almanac for the first time.
However, it adds significant complexity to the specification of industrial systems, and can easily be confusing and misinterpreted by specifying engineers, energy managers, equipment suppliers., and integrators. Furthermore, it could end up having a negative impact on incentives offered for common EEMs like new VFD compressors. A clear understanding of the Standard is needed, so that a reliable and efficient compressed air system project can be implemented.