Demand Controlled Ventilation

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%.

Read the article

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.

Read the case

Download Vaisala eGuide for better demand-controlled ventilation

Demand-controlled ventilation offers advantages for energy savings as well as tenant's comfort.

Download our complimentary eGuide to gain the best practices on

  • optimal levels of indoor air measurements
  • selecting the most suitable sensors
  • what to take into account when designing DCV system
     
Get your free copy

Demand-controlled ventilation related products

Related articles

Blog

Why Do We Measure CO₂ in HVAC Applications?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is typically not considered a challenging application area when it comes to CO₂ sensors. While it’s true that ambient conditions are mostly benign, sensors still need to be reliable, easy to maintain, and offer long-term measurement stability.

Learn more

eBook

Vaisala’s DCV eGuide

Your guide for demand controlled ventilation and indoor air quality instruments, applications, technology and practices.

Learn more

Customer case

The Ryoki Kogyo Co., Ltd. helps to create optimal living and working environments

Company's mission is to help create optimal living and working environments and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable society. 

Learn more

Customer case

Lowering infection risk with smart ventilation

In the following article Anu Kätkä, an indoor environment expert from Vaisala (Finland), examines the role that ventilation systems will play in protecting people in offices and other workspaces from future microbiological threats.

Learn more

Customer case

High indoor air quality with minimum energy costs

To ensure a cost-effective supply of fresh air, NuAire fitted its Smart Squrbo system with Vaisala’s CARBOCAP® carbon dioxide transmitters.

Learn more

Webinar

Paradigm shift in building ventilation: Future requirements for Demand Controlled Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality

From productivity to health and safety, properly executed ventilation can help improve conditions for building occupants who spend significant amounts of time indoors.

Register to watch

Customer case

Infosys monitors indoor air with Vaisala’s HVAC sensors

HVAC system condition monitoring becomes a crucial requirement considering Infosys’s goal to provide best indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and to provide most productive work spaces in the world to its employees. IEQ has a direct impact on employee productivity.

Learn more

Blog

A breath of fresh air – what does the future hold for ventilation?

To ensure accurate real-time measurement of humidity levels in their Meincke Turbu ovens, Bühler employs the highly accurate and versatile Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP6 along with Indigo500 series transmitters.

Learn more

Contact us

Interested to receive more information on a specific application or product? Drop us a line, and we'll get back to you!

Contact us
E-mail Facebook Twitter LinkedIn