As published in Building Simulation, An International Journal, a comprehensive, peer-reviewed study by the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) features Nagle Energy Solutions’ demand-control ventilation application as a model for optimizing building construction methods and practices.

IIT engineers determined the NES ventilation control strategy – which makes use of variable fan-motor speed responses to measured gas concentrations – considerably outperforms the other control strategies in minimizing annual energy consumption while ensuring healthy indoor air quality is continuously maintained.  

The NES control strategy captures:  

• 84% more energy savings than the predominant garage ventilation control strategies currently employed worldwide;
• 73% more energy savings than older “on/off” garage ventilation strategies still deployed in many properties; and 
• 98% more energy savings than garage ventilation strategies with no means of control in place, i.e., powered continuously (24/7).

The NES patented ventilation control sequencing for enclosed, commercial garages routinely achieves a 95% decrease in kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption and peak kilowatt (kW) demand, with quantifiable – and recurring – energy savings higher than 97%, all while the garage fans run continuously.

IIT engineers note the study provides the framework for modeling energy and indoor air quality impacts on parking garages under various control scenarios.

A downloadable version of the technical paper is available on Building Simulation at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12273-020-0677-3.  Supplementary materials on air flow rates and fan power draw and peak demand can be found at: https://rb.gy/nw9exh.  Terms of use include sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long appropriate credit is given to the original author(s) and the source, a link is provided to the Creative Commons license (at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and changes made are indicated.