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Never before has the topic of energy been given so much attention as today. We are constantly surrounded by news, debates, and digital tools informing us about energy in terms of price, consumption and/or the scarcity of it. It can be difficult to take it all in, and to know what can be done to reduce energy dependency, especially in the building and HVAC industry where there is a delicate balance between saving energy and providing an indoor climate where people can feel good inside.
I decided to visit someone who has more information on this topic. I met with Anders Hultman, Project Systems Engineer at our factory in Kvänum.
Anders started working at Swegon 27 years ago, at that time the company was still called PM Luft. He has ever since been working with development and finetuning if our air handling units, making him quite unique in terms of knowledge about airflows, energy thieves and optimisation of energy consumption, all in the context of not compromising with the indoor climate.
When Anders is asked about what can be done in the situation we are in, when we want to maintain an optimal indoor climate, a healthy and comfortable environment inside our buildings, without pointlessly wasting energy, he is eager to give me all the details.
Anders’ initial suggestion is to explore the air handling unit to learn how long is has been in place and in operation. Air handling units can last for very long without failing to a degree that is noticeable in regards to the indoor climate. However, if they are older than 15 years, a few measures may be taken to improve their operation. For instance, new fans or smart controlled systems can make a great difference.
Regular maintenance is key
After several years of operation there is a risk that service and maintenance has been somewhat neglected, by then a fan has accumulated dust and particles which has potentially deteriorated its functionality. Regular maintenance or just cleaning the fan can lead to substantial improvement in terms of reduced energy consumption.
Anders explains that a smart control system optimises the use of the air handling unit either by applying a scheduled operation that reflects the proposed use of the building, or by allowing adaptations of the air handlers’ operation according to a buildings’ actual occupancy. In the latter case, sensors in the indoor environment are informing the air handling unit about the need in the building. It can be based on temperature, air quality or other parameters. The air handling unit then only operates to meet the exact need at all times. Perhaps needless to say, this will save energy without affecting the experience of the indoor climate negatively.
Further, it is worth considering the commissioning of existing products selected for ventilation, heating and cooling. Are the tenants in the building the same, or has the purpose, use and activity inside the premises changed since the ventilation system was originally commissioned? Has the building been rebuilt or renovated? If changes have occurred, Anders’ recommendation is to make sure that the commissioning of products are adapted to today’s condition and utilization of the building.
Make sure that air flows are adjusted to the actual need
Next Anders highlights that it is important to make sure air flows are adjusted to the actual need. When heating and/or cooling is ensured by other sources, air flow is mainly there to make sure that the people inside the building get fresh air.
It is a quite common misunderstanding that the air flow needs to run at full speed even though there are no people in the building, when the temperature is controlled by other sources. The fact is that when there are no people in the building, the air flow can be reduced to level where only legal requirements for air circulation is met. There needs to be a certain level of circulating air to avoid sick houses, high humidity, and disturbing smells. A demand-controlled indoor climate system is perfect for this. Ventilation of the building may be scheduled to match with occupancy of the premises, the system is then optimised and worthless energy consumption is avoided.
In cases where heating and cooling is provided by a waterborne system, it is important from an energy perspective, to ensure a proper water flow in the system to not heat more water than necessary. By making careful adjustments this can be achieved, and at the same time, pumps, valves and other components are cared for. Further, air in a hydronic system can turn out to be an energy thief which is why it is important to eliminate that.
A smart control systems can make a huge difference
It is possible to provide all kinds of building applications with smart control systems, however it is perhaps most beneficial in buildings with indoor climate requirements for comfort, such as schools and offices. In terms of the smart control systems Swegon offers, they are certainly viable to use with air handling units and room units of other brands, but since our products and systems are developed as a whole, by Anders and many of our colleagues, the greatest advantages come from using them together.
Anders continues by explaining that it is almost impossible to reach the higher levels of certification in building standards such as BREEAM, LEED and WELL, without a smart control system as part of the HVAC-solution. This is not a negligible factor when considering energy consumption and indoor climate.
Last but not least, Anders’ advises property owners, contractors, consultants and suppliers to openly collaborate because only then long-term sustainability and energy efficiency may be achieved.
Anders’ enthusiasm for his job cannot be mistaken. His competence in terms of optimal ventilation, heating and cooling solutions for each and every building is outstanding, and it is a joy to listen to his expertise. I thank Anders for his contribution and spend the two-hour trip home from Kvänum thinking about all the things I have learned and the potential in energy savings that can be realised. Considering the fact that buildings are responsible for 40% of the global energy consumption it is key to ensure that we do all we can to make them as sustainable and energy efficient as possible. And I have learned that a lot can be done with small measures.
