Demand Controlled Ventilation

For healthy, sustainable and energy-efficient buildings

How Does Demand-Controlled Ventilation Work?

In DCV the ventilation intensity is adjusted to correspond to the true need in order to save energy. It has clear advantages especially when occupancy varies widely, such as in offices, conference centers, auditoriums, and schools. The CO₂ level in a space indicates human presence and can be used to control ventilation. The efficiency of DCV can only be optimized by accurate carbon dioxide sensing.

Upgrade your energy efficiency and productivity

Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) is proven to have a huge impact on HVAC systems’ energy efficiency. The US Department of Energy conducted a research on energy savings and economics of advanced control strategies for HVAC in 2011. The research concluded that DCV contributes to the biggest energy savings in HVAC in small office buildings, strip malls, stand-alone retails and supermarkets compared to other advanced automated ventilation strategies.

Studies indicate that better indoor air and ventilation also has a positive impact on employee productivity. The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) conducted a comparison between better buildings and other employee strategies, like workplace health programs and bonuses. With a meta-study of 500 different studies, they found that better buildings increase productivity by 2%–10%.

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CO2 measurements make all the difference

CO₂ sensors are central in reducing energy consumption using demand-controlled ventilation (DCV). As the measurement directly controls the amount of fresh air used, measurement accuracy requirements are tightening. Vaisala CARBOCAP® technology gives unique advantages for HVAC applications in terms of long-term stability.

Why do we measure CO2

Up to 40% savings with demand controlled ventilation

Average cost savings of using demand-controlled ventilation were calculated to be 38% for all commercial building types. The amount depends on the climate, of course; demand-controlled ventilation is most efficient in cold climates, and coupling it with multi-speed fan control will bring more benefits also in hot climates.

NuAire’s Smart Squrbo demand ventilation system incorporates Vaisala sensors to determine the level of ventilation necessary to keep the air fresh cost-effectively.

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