Welcome
to the October edition of Steril-Aire's UVC E-Newsletter. In each issue, we will
address an important question about ultraviolet-C or "UVC" devices for
building HVAC systems. Steril-Aire
will also be happy to provide you with a free on-site evaluation on how to equip
your building(s) for energy, mold, IAQ and infection control using UVC technology.
If you would like to know more, contact
us today. Q.
Can UVC devices really help reduce energy costs in my building and by how much?
A.
Rio Grande Regional Hospital, a 320-bed hospital in McAllen, Texas, has reported
a dramatic decline in HVAC energy costs over the past two years, even in the face
of a 33% utility rate hike. "We attribute this to the incorporation of UVC
lights from Steril-Aire, Inc. into the air handling systems," says Oscar
Molano, director of plant operations for the hospital.. From
January through May 2007, Rio Grande's energy expense was down $240,885 compared
to the same time period in 2006 - a 29.5% savings (see chart). Based on this trend,
annual energy savings in the $500,000+ range are projected.
How
is this possible? UVC devices emit germicidal ultraviolet-"C" energy
that penetrates the tiniest microbes to destroy their DNA and RNA, killing or
deactivating them. UVC degrades mold and organic buildup deep inside HVAC systems
to keep coils continuously clean - lowering HVAC energy costs by improving heat
transfer and increasing net cooling capacity. This
is the process that took place as Rio Grande retrofitted all 26 air handling units
with Steril-Aire "UVC Emitters™" on a phased basis. -
Before UVC, the four 465-ton
chillers serving the hospital were running at 99% capacity. Eighteen months later,
after most of the AHUs were equipped with UVC, the same chillers were running
at only 62% capacity.
- During
that period, electrical usage (in kilowatt hours) declined 20.64%. This cancelled
out a utility rate increase from $.06 per kWh to $.08 per kWh. Thus, with the
addition of UVC in 2005 and 2006, electrical energy costs from 2005 to 2006 remained
at a constant average of $166,900 per month.
- By
fall of 2006, as Rio Grande was wrapping up the conversion to UVC, they determined
that the hospital was now too cold, even with chillers running at reduced capacity.
They responded by cutting back from four chillers to two: The hospital has completely
shut down two chillers, along with the accompanying chilled water pumps, condenser
water pumps and cooling towers.
Click
here to see the complete story on Rio Grande Regional Hospital as reported
recently in Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News.
Of course,
no two buildings are alike, and to repeat an often-used phrase, "Results
may vary". Based on the experiences of hundreds of Steril-Aire customers,
however, HVAC energy savings in the 15 - 20% range are not uncommon. Maintenance
savings can also be substantial, since the coil-cleaning effect of UVC greatly
reduces or even eliminates the labor and material costs associated with chemical
cleaning or pressure-washing.
For
further information, please visit the Steril-Aire web site.
Sincerely,
Robert
Scheir, Ph.D. President
and Chairman
Steril-Aire,
Inc.
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