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Nov152016

Achieving Energy Savings by Improving Fan and Ductwork Performance

Posted by Evan Riley, P.E., CEM, LEED AP BD+C

The amount of energy used to move air in buildings ranges between 5% and 10% of total building energy in a typical office building and can approach 30% in a building with extensive filtration in a hot climate. This substantial contribution means air flow energy is a target for not only saving operating costs but also contributing to the achievement of mandatory energy savings targets. Improvements to various contributors to airflow energy were simulated in an energy model in order to evaluate their cost effectiveness. The results were grouped into three tiers in order of decreasing cost effectiveness.