Continued commercial investment in energy efficiency, and recently approved national energy standards have raised demand for Airxchange energy recovery ventilation technology. As a result, the company recently completed a 61,000 s/f addition to its 33,000 s/f manufacturing facility at 85 Longwater Dr. in which it showcases its energy recovery wheel technology.
Airxchange, Inc. designs and manufactures energy recovery wheels for commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) original equipment manufacturers. The energy recovery wheels reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by recycling up to 80% of otherwise wasted energy from building exhaust air and using it to pre-condition outdoor air. This process dramatically reduces outdoor air loads and contributes to reduced HVAC equipment size and operating costs.
The new facility showcases the technology in 8 high efficiency rooftop units and several standalone energy recovery ventilators. The wheels capture energy from general ventilation and process exhaust airstreams - the largest source of wasted energy in commercial buildings. Several units will be monitored and displayed on the company's website in real time to demonstrate the wheels contribution to reducing energy consumption.
According to Randall Steele, vice president/general manager, "We were able to reduce the HVAC load by 33% while saving an estimated $8,000 per shift, and were able to show an immediate payback on the energy recovery wheel investment through the reduced AC investment." Other energy conservation measures incorporated into the facility include well-insulated tilt-up walls, roof R-30 roof insulation, skylights, and high efficiency lights with integral daylight controls and occupancy sensors. Over $100,000 in gas and electric rebates were awarded as a result of these investments of which $44,000 was attributed to the energy recovery wheels.