July 1, 2013: Customizing Ventilation Saves Energy, Says Researchers
Adjusting Fan Speed to Actual Need Would Slash Energy Demand
RICHLAND, Wash. — A ventilation control now in development could slash 18 percent — tens of thousands of dollars — off the overall annual energy bill of the average large office building, with no loss of comfort, according to a report by researchers at the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
“An 18 percent boost in building energy efficiency by modifying a single factor is very, very good,” said team leader Michael Brambley. “The savings were much greater than we expected.”