Helpful links:
Material Handling Management “Green Breeze”
by Mary Aichmayr
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
Department of Energy
United States Green Build Council LEED Credits
NOAA Heat Index Calculator
The Dew Point and How Fans Cool
During the summer, HVLS fans help to make your employees feel cooler. This occurs because of something called the dew point. The dew point is the temperature at which water vapor starts to condense out of the air; it is the temperature at which air becomes completely saturated. When that temperature is reached, the moisture will stay in the air.
Humans tend to react with discomfort to a high dew point, as it begins to interfere with the body’s normal process of producing sweat to cool down. High relative humidity (which results in a high dew point) impedes the evaporation of sweat and makes people feel warmer. A HVLS fan helps to alleviate the discomfort because it lowers the body temperature because of the air movement over the skin, which helps to evaporate the sweat, thus using the body’s natural cooling mechanism.
When used as a stand-alone cooling system, HVLS fans can reduce the temperature to yield an effective cooling of up to 6-8° F less within the fan's coverage area. The fans move large masses of air at the right speed for this evaporative cooling effect. When combined with air conditioning, fans enable this reduction in temperature with energy reductions per degree (these will vary depending on location, building, and type of air conditioning system).
Humongous Fans can help make your facility more comfortable in both the winter and the summer, and thus raise the productivity of your employees, and ultimately yield higher returns for your company.
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Potential Estimates of Heating Savings for Selected Cities
| City |
Heating Degree Days (1) |
Heating Cost Annually (2) |
Potential Savings Estimated at 15% |
Payback Period in Yrs. (3) |
Annual ROI (4) |
| Atlanta, GA |
3215 |
$8,134 |
$1,220 |
6.56 |
15.25% |
| Boston, MA |
5135 |
$12,992 |
$1949 |
4.11 |
24.36% |
| Cleveland, OH |
5332 |
$13,490 |
$2,023 |
3.95 |
25.29% |
| Denver, CO |
6444 |
$16,303 |
$2,445 |
3.27 |
30.57% |
| Detroit, MI |
5693 |
$14,403 |
$2,160 |
3.70 |
27.01% |
| Kansas City, KS |
5293 |
$13,391 |
$2,009 |
3.98 |
25.11% |
| Minneapolis, MN |
6996 |
$17,700 |
$2,655 |
3.01 |
33.19% |
| New York City, NY |
4222 |
$10,682 |
$1,602 |
4.99 |
20.03% |
| Philadelphia, PA |
4320 |
$10,930 |
$1,639 |
4.88 |
20.49% |
| Portland, ME |
6362 |
$16,096 |
$2,414 |
3.31 |
30.18% |
(1) The term, Heating Degree Day, was developed by heating engineers to represent the relative number of days when heating is necessary. A Heating Degree Day is determined by finding the day's average temperature. If the number is higher than 65° F, there are no Heating Degree Days that day. If the number is less than 65°, subtract it from 65 to find the number of Heating Degree Days.
Source: www.erh.noaa.gov
(2) Heating costs are based on a 20,000 sq. ft. facility, and a natural gas cost of $12/mcf.These costs will vary based on insulation (r-factor), roofing material, and type of structure. Assumptions are that up to 15% savings on heating costs could result.
Source for natural gas mcf cost: www.eia.doe.gov, Average Forecast for 2010 and 2011
(3) Payback Period in Years is based on 2-16 ft. fans with a cost of approximately $4000 each.
(4) Annual Return on Investment is for first year only. Subsequent increases in energy costs could change the future returns.
DISCLAIMER: These numbers are provided as estimates only. Savings will be unique for each facility. Send us your information and we will calculate your potential savings based upon your choice of product and your facility and location.
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