“Regulating the amount of air in properties such as schools, office premises, and shops, where use and needs vary around the clock, can provide major energy savings. The key is to have control of the pressure,”says Fredrik. “The pandemic has caused society to change behavioral patterns around how we use our buildings. Then it can be a good thing to review the ventilation solution installed to ensure a healthy and environmentally efficient indoor climate. In cases where you have switched from continuous use of the building to more irregular periods, there may be money to be saved while ensuring fresh air when needed.”
Only a small reduction in air flow results in large energy savings
By measuring and controlling the pressure, the air flow can be regulated. This is the basis needed to adapt the amount of air to the needs of people and properties. Many people know that the relationship between air flow and pressure is squared. But the fact, that the relationship between the air flow and the electrical energy required to run the plant is often cubic ,is a fact that many are not as aware of.
This means that if the air flow can be reduced by 20%, then this gives a reduction of almost half of the electrical energy that the fan motor needs. If the air flow can be reduced by 30%, it will save electricity by almost 2/3. Additional savings have an even greater effect. In addition, the need for air heating is reduced, which also helps to increase energy savings.
| Airflow | Pressure | Electric energy |
|---|---|---|
| -10% | -19% | -27% |
| -20% | -36% | -49% |
| -30% | -51% | -66% |
| -40% | -64% | -78% |
| -50% | -75% | -88% |
Increased comfort, lower cost and reduced environmental impact
A healthy and productive environment is a prerequisite for high performance. By measuring the presence and CO2 content in the room, you can optimize the airflow based on the property's instantaneous needs. You simply use the ventilation when needed. In this way, we can ensure increased comfort at a lower cost with an environmental saving. The potential is extra large for properties where use and need vary over time.
