Lab Energy Savings Guide: 3 Economic Airflow Considerations
By BalCon Team
Airflow is one of the unique factors that sets laboratories apart from other rooms. Labs must exhaust substantial quantities of air to maintain safety compliance. This conditioning consumes considerable energy, but small system modifications can yield substantial cost reductions.
Check Airflow Levels
Examine current air exchange rates in your facility. Many labs lack regular airflow monitoring, resulting in over-ventilation. By pulling the number back to the designated number of air changes you will see an immediate reduction in energy costs.
Install A Heat Recovery Unit
Heat Recovery Units capture exhausted air and run it near incoming fresh air, allowing the conditioned air to transfer heat or cooling to outside air before it enters the system. This allows your HVAC system to work more efficiently.
Demand Control Ventilation
Sensors monitor air quality and adjust ventilation rates accordingly. Standard labs typically operate at minimum 6 air changes per hour. With air monitoring systems, rates can decrease to 4 changes per hour when occupied and 2 when unoccupied. The reduced energy use will generally pay for the cost of retrofitting within 2-5 years.