Outdoor air controls for packaged HVAC systems

A method of installing a vertical packaged heating ventilating and cooling (HVAC) system, the method comprising:

• providing the vertical packaged heating ventilating and cooling (HVAC) system, wherein the HVAC system comprises a cabinet having a condenser compartment at a bottom portion, a return air compartment at a top portion, and a condenser discharge air compartment between the condenser compartment and the return air compartment;
• providing an outdoor air chase having a conduit through the outdoor air chase;
• fluidly coupling the outdoor air chase between the condenser compartment and the return air compartment;
• providing a configurable flow regulating plate;
• wherein the configurable flow regulating plate comprises:
• a plate having a plurality of discharge apertures, and
• wherein, in an initial position before installation, the plurality of discharge apertures is covered by a plurality of knockout panels, each knockout panel is removably secured to the configurable flow regulating plate;
• removing one or more of the plurality of knockout panels, wherein removing one or more of the plurality of knockout panels comprises removing a number of the knockout panels corresponding with a desired flowrate of outside air through the outdoor air chase;
• and
• securing the configurable flow regulating plate in the conduit of the outdoor air chase.

A heating ventilating and cooling (HVAC) system comprising:

• a cabinet having a condenser compartment, a return air compartment, and a condenser discharge air compartment between the condenser compartment and the return air compartment;
• a fan panel proximate the condenser discharge air compartment and the condenser compartment;
• an outdoor air chase having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the outdoor air chase is fluidly coupled to the condenser compartment at a location to receive outside air from the condenser compartment, and wherein the first end of the outdoor air chase is fluidly coupled to the return air compartment, and wherein the outdoor air chase has a conduit through the outdoor air chase;
• a configurable flow regulating plate disposed in the outdoor air chase across the conduit;
• and wherein the configurable flow regulating plate comprises:
• a plate having a plurality of discharge apertures, wherein, in an initial position before installation, the plurality of discharge apertures is covered by a plurality of knockout panels, wherein each knockout panel of the plurality of knockout panels is removably secured to the configurable flow regulating plate, and wherein, in an installed position, the plurality of discharge apertures and plurality of knockout panels are sized such that removal of each knockout panel increases airflow of outdoor air through the outdoor air chase during normal operation.