This paper presents some design guidelines for using cold air distribution to cool commercial and industrial buildings. Cold air distribution systems provide primary air for space conditioning at nominal temperatures between 38°F and 51°F. The use of lower-temperature primary air allows distribution equipment to be downsized, resulting in lower first costs, and often lower energy costs. Cold air distribution has been applied primarily to take full advantage of the 34°F to 38°F chilled wateravailable with ice storage systems. The concept is also applicable to chilled water storage and conventional non-storage systems, especially in the range of 48°F to 51°F nominal supply temperatures. In this paper factors influencing the selection of supply air temperature are discussed, and specific recommendations arising from field evaluation studies are presented.