Hyperventilation Costs Big

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OCCUPANCY-BASED SENSORS SLASH 18 PERCENT OFF TYPICAL OFFICE ENERGY BILL

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER – August 2013 Volume 45 Number 8

According to researchers from the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, new advances in occupancy sensors will save approximately 28 times as much energy when used both for lighting and ventilation, and slashing 18 percent off the average annual energy bill. The researchers gained the report by comparing new advance sensors with mostly used current sensors, which current sensors doesn’t detect how many people are in a room so its usage is nearly constantly at maximum capacity.

The new technology in sensors is quite expensive, but it’s improving, and expected to lower the costs. The study focused on a prototypical large commercial office building of about 500,000 square feet. In 13 of the nation’s 15 climate regions, the team estimated that advanced control would save at least $40,000 annually for each building. In Baltimore and Fairbanks, the savings stretch to more than $100,000 each year. El Paso and Miami, estimated savings come to $33,400 and $ 23,500 respectively.

Greater opportunity for savings are in heating, cooling, and related equipment, because its usually draw much more energy than lighting. The researchers did note that building codes would have to change to accommodate the new system, since many areas require ventilation no matter how many people are around.

The full version of the article is available in IIE Laboratory. It is also readable online for IIE member through accessing the iienet.org website. Contact Maya (President of IIE BINUS University Chapter) at mayarininta@yahoo.com for more information on the IIE membership.