Ventilation for Entertainment Facilities
Building operators and managers of B.C.'s public entertainment facilities are considering the best ways to maintain air quality in light of new indoor air quality regulations. For those who are planning a ventilation change, selecting an energy-efficient approach can help reduce operating costs over the long term.
The ventilation system in your facility affects your heating, cooling and fan systems, which add up to about 34% of the energy costs in many restaurants. A high-efficiency ventilation system can reduce the energy used by heating, cooling and fan systems by up to 60% compared with a typical ventilating system, while improving comfort for your customers and employees. For example, in a restaurant that pays $1,000/month for energy, that is a saving of up to $204/month or almost $2,500 a year.
If you plan to change, upgrade or renew your ventilation system, a Power Smart approach can result in energy savings that will help offset your installation and operating costs.
Ventilation options
Heating accounts for about 14% of energy costs in a typical facility. Ventilation systems that discharge heated air to the outside are wasting energy that you have already paid for. The following examples show various ventilation options. Each option uses varying amounts of energy and provides different benefits in terms of comfort. When selecting your ventilation system, consider the associated advantages and disadvantages.
An energy-efficient ventilation system can increase your occupant's comfort and significantly reduce your operating costs. The costs and savings of ventilation system upgrades depend greatly on the conditions in each site. Prior to selecting an option, have a qualified expert assess the feasibility and costs of ventilation installations in your facility.
Option | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Direct discharge to the exterior An exhaust fan takes interior air and pumps it outside of the building | Simple, low cost installation | High energy cost as heated air is lost May require new controls and make-up air unit to maintain positive air pressure, adding to installation and operating cost |
Clean contaminated interior air Add high-efficiency particle filters and fans to the ventilation system to clean and recirculate some of the heated air | Reduces energy cost by reducing the amount of heated air pumped outside the building Eliminates odours and increases occupant comfort | Higher installation cost System must be balanced to maintain positive air pressure Filters require ongoing maintenance |
Recover heat from air discharged Add a heat recovery unit to capture heat from air being pumped to the exterior | Reduces energy cost by salvaging heat from the heated interior air pumped outside the building Greatest energy saving | Higher installation cost System must be balanced to maintain positive air pressure Peak efficiency requires cleaning air before it enters the heat recovery unit |
Regulating ventilation with a carbon dioxide monitor A carbon dioxide monitor can be added to control any of the ventilation systems described. The monitor reduces the air flow when there are fewer people in the room, and saves energy in the heated air and energy used to run fans | Adds to energy savings of any system If the building occupancy varies widely, for example the building runs for many hours when there are no occupants, the savings will be greater than with a heat recovery unit | Higher installation cost |
Assess your savings and act now
A well-designed energy-efficient ventilation system reduces your costs and improves the comfort level in your facility. As well, the energy savings can quickly pay for added installation costs.
Power Smart can help you find a qualified Power Smart Alliance consultant to analyze your needs, provide a detailed assessment of your situation and suggest the options that are appropriate for your facility.
Contact us today.
Last Modified: Sep 2, 2009
