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Economic Benefits of an Economizer System: Energy Savings and Reduced Sick Leave.

DE2004821457

Publication Date	2004
Personal Author	Fisk, W. J.; Seppanen, O.; Faulkner, D.; Huang, J.
Page Count	14
Abstract	This study estimated the health, energy, and economic benefits of an economizer ventilation control system that increases outside air supply during mild weather to save energy. A model of the influence of ventilation rate on airborne transmission of respiratory illnesses was used to extend the limited data relating ventilation rate with illness and sick leave. An energy simulation model calculated ventilation rates and energy use versus time for an office building in Washington, D.C. with fixed minimum outdoor air supply rates, with and without an economizer. Sick leave rates were estimated with the disease transmission model. In the modeled 72-person office building, our analyses indicate that the economizer reduces energy costs by approximately $2000 and, in addition, reduces sick leave. The annual financial benefit of the decrease in sick leave is estimated to be between $6,000 and $16,000. This modeling suggests that economizers are much more cost effective than currently recognized.
Keywords	Heating and cooling systems Energy savings Health Economic benefits Models Ventilation rates Airborne transmission Respiratory illnesses Sick leave Outside air supplies Economizer ventilation control systems
Source Agency	Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee
Corporate Authors	Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA. Indoor Environment Program.; Department of Energy, Washington, DC. Assistant Secretary for Energy; Helsinki Univ. of Technology, Espoo (Finland). Lab. of Heating,
Supplemental Notes	Prepared in cooperation with Helsinki Univ. of Technology, Espoo (Finland). Lab. of Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning. Sponsored by Department of Energy, Washington, DC. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	200416

Economic Benefits of an Economizer System: Energy Savings and Reduced Sick Leave.

Economic Benefits of an Economizer System: Energy Savings and Reduced Sick Leave.
DE2004821457

Publication Date	2004
Personal Author	Fisk, W. J.; Seppanen, O.; Faulkner, D.; Huang, J.
Page Count	14
Abstract	This study estimated the health, energy, and economic benefits of an economizer ventilation control system that increases outside air supply during mild weather to save energy. A model of the influence of ventilation rate on airborne transmission of respiratory illnesses was used to extend the limited data relating ventilation rate with illness and sick leave. An energy simulation model calculated ventilation rates and energy use versus time for an office building in Washington, D.C. with fixed minimum outdoor air supply rates, with and without an economizer. Sick leave rates were estimated with the disease transmission model. In the modeled 72-person office building, our analyses indicate that the economizer reduces energy costs by approximately $2000 and, in addition, reduces sick leave. The annual financial benefit of the decrease in sick leave is estimated to be between $6,000 and $16,000. This modeling suggests that economizers are much more cost effective than currently recognized.
Keywords	Heating and cooling systems Energy savings Health Economic benefits Models Ventilation rates Airborne transmission Respiratory illnesses Sick leave Outside air supplies Economizer ventilation control systems
Source Agency	Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee
Corporate Authors	Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA. Indoor Environment Program.; Department of Energy, Washington, DC. Assistant Secretary for Energy; Helsinki Univ. of Technology, Espoo (Finland). Lab. of Heating,
Supplemental Notes	Prepared in cooperation with Helsinki Univ. of Technology, Espoo (Finland). Lab. of Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning. Sponsored by Department of Energy, Washington, DC. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	200416