09,18,2026 11 views
Buildings play an important role in reducing global energy consumption. Demand controlled ventilation can save a lot of energy while providing clean, high-quality indoor air, keeping people healthy and efficient. A good ventilation system cannot do without intelligent and precise sensors - these micro devices have a significant impact on the operation and sustainability of buildings.
The Rise of Sustainable Building Implementation
Buildings account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption, while HVAC systems consume 38% of building energy, thus having enormous potential in cost savings and addressing climate change. This is particularly true in critical use buildings and energy intensive environments. In terms of the economic value of buildings, decarbonization is also highly correlated. Buildings designed or upgraded with sustainability in mind may have higher market value.
Currently, multiple standards and regulations encourage the adoption of more sustainable building practices. This includes the International Energy Efficiency Code (2018), the European Union Building Energy Performance Directive, and the California Building Standards Code. This specification requires the use of demand controlled ventilation (DCV) in certain high occupancy spaces.
Nowadays, the two major green building rating systems in the world are BREEAM (Building Research Institute Environmental Assessment Method) in the UK and LEED (Energy and Environmental Design Pioneer) developed in the US. Both systems recognize the importance of DCV in conserving energy and maintaining good indoor air quality.
Energy saving is just one part of it
Compared to systems that only supply a constant amount of air to buildings, DCVs with precise and powerful CO2 control have the potential to reduce energy consumption by 50%. Buildings with intelligent and sustainable DCV systems not only consume less energy, but also have a lower risk of becoming outdated assets as environmental regulations continue to tighten.
Although energy conservation is important, it is only a part of it.
Intelligent ventilation makes buildings and humans healthier
Indoor air quality has a significant impact on the health, productivity, and overall comfort of building users. In buildings with poor indoor air quality (high levels of carbon dioxide), people may find it more difficult to make decisions, focus on complex tasks, and effectively respond to crisis situations.
A high concentration of carbon dioxide inside a building is a warning signal indicating that the ventilation system is not functioning properly.
How DCV can improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency
The DCV system adjusts the air flow according to the demand inside the building, reducing the amount of outdoor air intake when the building occupancy rate is low and increasing the amount of outdoor air intake when the building occupancy rate is high. There are two main purposes:
Ensure that indoor air quality is maintained at a level beneficial to human health, and
Reduce energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary excessive ventilation.
Accurate and reliable measurements are crucial for the normal operation of DCV. DCV systems typically use CO2 measurement values as trigger parameters to detect occupancy rates and the need for increased ventilation in specific spaces.
Reliable and easy to maintain sensor technology is a wise investment
When your goal is to achieve good indoor air quality in an energy-efficient manner, reliable measurements are crucial for your ventilation system control circuit. Using inferior sensors will result in measurement drift, ultimately leading to a decrease in IAQ or an increase in energy costs. The core of Vaisala's HVAC application products is sensor technology, which can provide you with the precise control you need.
This includes:
● Vaisala CARBOCAP ®—— A highly reliable carbon dioxide measurement sensor technology that includes built-in reference measurement and can achieve long-term measurement stability.
● Vaisala HUMICAP ®—— A humidity and temperature measurement technology based on capacitive thin film polymers that ensures fast, reliable, and stable long-term measurements.
These mature technologies are key to ensuring long-term accurate measurement of control loops in DCV systems. Reliable and high-quality sensors not only help control circuits to maintain good working conditions, but also contribute to energy conservation.
Improving the operational status and sustainability of buildings
Using intelligent DCVs to improve indoor air quality can improve operating conditions and productivity, while also optimizing energy costs and enhancing the sustainability of buildings. Using high-quality and precise sensors with long-term reliability will make your building more energy-efficient and futuristic, while improving the health of users and enhancing comfort.
By matching the airflow entering the building with actual needs, an intelligent DCV system equipped with reliable sensors can:
Reduce the energy required for operating fans and heating or cooling air supply
Reduce the risk of excessive or insufficient ventilation
Compared to a constant air system, the total energy consumption is reduced by up to 50%
Significant improvement in indoor air quality, with a positive impact on the health and comfort of building users
