When designing a new ventilation system for your commercial premises, one of the many aspects that need to be considered is the ongoing running costs of the system. Whilst a BMS (Building Management System~) offer the building manager the ability to control the building’s ventilation and remotely monitor the system’s performance, they can add significant cost to the ventilation system’s initial outlay. There is, however, an alternative that still grants the building manager and the occupants of the building demand-based ventilation without the large upfront cost of a BMS – a VAV System.
A Variable Air Volume (VAV) system can be used in conjunction with market leading commercial MVHR systems such as Airflow’s Duplexvent range. They enable the occupants and the building manager the ability to adjust the level of ventilation to different rooms or zones of the building based on localised changes in demand.
With air pollution making the news for the wrong reasons coupled with a drive towards increased energy efficiency it is key that you have a ventilation system that gives the occupants a healthy and comfortable indoor air environment whilst remaining energy efficient and cost effective.
Intuitive VAV Dampers work by communicating directly with the MVHR system to adjust the system’s ventilation swiftly based on changes in ventilation demand. When combined with humidity or CO2 sensors, a VAV system can automatically respond to changes in room or zonal occupancy, independent to the other areas of the building.
This differs from many centralised MVHR systems that don’t use demand-based control. With these systems, the ventilation rate remains the same in each room regardless of occupancy level. This leads to one of two things:
- Either the room is being unnecessarily over-ventilated, which is wasting energy and increases ongoing energy bills of the premises, or
- Busy areas are not receiving enough ventilation and as a result, those in the room are breathing unhealthy air that can affect concentration and productivity levels and in worse cases can worsen respiratory issues. Furthermore, there is the chance that damp and mould can develop within the room, which as well as affecting the health of those inside the area, can damage the fabric of the building itself.
Whilst this functionality can be found within a quality BMS they can add significant cost to the development. By using a VAV system, you gain the level of control and responsive ventilation you’d normally receive through a BMS without the initial outlay that goes with it. With spending being increasingly held to account, why would you pay more when you can get a system that offers the same level of performance for less?
To learn more about Airflow’s VAV Damper System, visit: https://www.airflow.com/VAV-Dampers