Technical Insights November 15, 2019
Smart Ventilation Changes, Big Savings
By making select, strategic changes to a ventilation system, you gain maximum results from a minimal investment.
Energy bills too high? An inefficient ventilation system may be part of the problem. When air pressure drops due to being restricted or obstructed, fans must work harder to maintain adequate pressure throughout the ductwork. This consumes more energy. Effects can include temperature differences in areas of the building, a constant humming noise and air stagnation, all of which can affect occupant comfort.
What if you could make a few smart changes, without major system shutdowns, and improve your ventilation system’s performance and energy usage?
The most effective way to solve ventilation system problems is to employ a “measure > modify > test” approach:
- Measure: By measuring the power and pressure of every system component, inefficiencies can be uncovered. While these measurements must be done on site, they can be scheduled during off-peak times to avoid disruptions.
- Modify: Smart modifications—such as replacing fans with more efficient types, reconfiguring ducts, modifying silencers and adding pressure controls—can add up to significant performance improvement and cost savings.
- Test: Taking new measurements will reveal improvements and whether further modifications are needed.
Following this approach delivers a solution that is customized for your specific building and the needs of occupants. By making select, strategic changes to the ventilation system, you gain maximum results from a minimal investment.
Determining the root causes of inefficiencies is a critical first step in improving design, performance and savings. It is a cornerstone of practicing Integrated Engineering and Construction as part of an Outcome-Based Contracting approach to deep energy retrofits.
