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Ask the Energy Expert: Can IAQ Improvements Conserve Energy?
By: Lorenz (Larry) Schoff, PE - Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Source: Energy Efficient Solutions
Q: Can improving the IAQ in our school reduce energy consumption?
A: You might be tempted to think the answer is NO. Many factors in a school, some that involve energy, can impact the IAQ in a building: cleaning materials, products and practices, maintenance, paints, furniture, carpet, plug loads, ventilation, CO2 levels, humidity, temperature. The list goes on and on. But after closer evaluation and improved understanding of what determines IAQ in a school, it turns out there is a direct correlation between IAQ improvements and energy reduction.
How can that be? Well, the answer begins with maintenance practices. Cleaning of vents and louvers, changing of filters on unit ventilators and air handling units all insure that the air being delivered to an area is as clean as it can be, but also reducing the work the fans motors have to do in delivering this air thus reducing energy consumption. Cleaning of vents and louvers and changing of filters on a frequent schedule eliminates the medium where bacteria and mold can grow or accumulate.
Again, the controlling of the fan motors and operation of outside air dampers by measuring CO2 levels and/or occupancy sensors reduces the energy being used but also reduces the energy needed to either heat, cool and/or dehumidify incoming air. Remember, if no one is in the room there is no requirement for outside air and if the CO2 level is within limits even when occupied there is no need for outside air. If the requirement does not exist then energy does not need to be wasted.
Proper controlling of the temperature in a school as weather conditions change can impact the IAQ of your school and reduce energy consumption. In an earlier article in Schoolfacilties.com it was recommended in humid climates the AC temperatures not be set below the dew point. It was recommended that the set point be about 5 degrees above the average dew point. Setting temperatures below the expected dew point increase the probability of producing areas where condensation can occur and thus producing an area when mold can grow and spread. Setting it too low not only can result in areas were mold can grow but wastes energy.
Similarly, raising the temperature too high in a cold and dry climate can result in reducing the already low humidity and results in bad IAQ and the wasting of energy. IAQ which has a very low humidity can result in symptoms like that experienced when mold is present. If at all possible during winter and the dry season try to keep the humidity in a school as close to 30 percent as possible.
Many factors are involved in producing poor IAQ in a school, and some of those factors involve energy usage. If the recommendations above are adopted, not only will the IAQ in your building have a better chance of improving, but managers should see a correlative drop in energy use and energy bills. The choice is yours and only time will tell.
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