SA-96-08-1 -- Energy Savings from Repair of Uncontrolled Airflow in 18 Small Commercial Buildings ✓ Most Recent

Reports how uncontrolled airflow, including duct leakage, pressure imbalances caused by closed interior doors and exhaust/intake airflow imbalance, was characterised in 70 commercial buildings. Uncontrolled airflows were repaired in 18 of the buildings and the resulting energy savings monitored. In most buildings the retrofit was duct repair. In other cases, outdoor airflow was reduced and return air transfers were provided. Cooling energy was reduced by an average of 15.1% in the 18 buildings. With an average repair cost of 455 dollars and average cooling energy savings of 195 dollars per year, uncontrolled airflow retrofits proved to be very cost effective. States various factors indicate that greater energy savings could be saved in future.

KEYWORDS: year 1996, Air flow, buildings, commercial, energy conservation, economics