Energy-efficient control

strategy
Air quality based demand-controlled ventilation

The outside air flow rate for an air handling system is normally designed for
maximum occupancy. In rooms which are not fully occupied, the outside air
flow rate needs to be reduced to make more rational use of energy. Demand
controlled ventilation is the right energy-efficient solution to achieve this.
What is a demand-controlled ventilation system?
Fixed ventilation systems provide constantly sufficient fresh air for full occupancy but do so at the cost of heating or
cooling excess air. Scheduled ventilation
can provide fresh air at the correct rates
at the right time but runs the risk of
under- or overventilation if schedule
changes are not made at the appropriate
times. On the other hand a demandcontrolled ventilation system controls
the amount of outside air brought into
the building. It provides just the amount
of outside air the occupants actually
need.

Demand-controlled ventilation with

CO2 / VOC* sensors
Demand-controlled ventilation can be
achieved by various means, the most
effective of which is by determining
indoor air quality by the amount of CO2.
Further, there may be additional sources
of odors. New furniture, carpeting,
paint, office equipment, smoke, or other
processes may add contaminants that
overwhelm the designed ventilation or
occupants perceptions. VOC sensors will
likely detect these unusual odors.

* VOC: Volatile Organic Compound (mixed gas)

Answers for infrastructure.

DCV_EN.indd 1

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The principle of demand-controlled ventilation

Energy consumption

BACS energy classes EN 15232

Without demand-controlled ventilation

Without demand-controlled ventilation

Without demand-controlled ventilation

Air
flow

2500 m3/h

2500 m3/h

Maximum occupancy

Time

Low occupancy

With demand-controlled ventilation

Energy savings
Air
flow

2500 m3/h
400 m3/h

Maximum occupancy

Advanced
BACS and TBM

Standard
BACS

With demand-controlled ventilation

2500 m3/h

High energy performance

BACS and TBM

Low occupancy

Time

Benefits of air quality based

demand-controlled ventilation
Cost savings through energy savings:
Energy can be saved due to lower power consumption of the fan and reduced
heat losses of the ventilation system.
Improved indoor air quality ensures
comfortable and healthy indoor environment:

Demand-controlled ventilation prevents

underventilation that results in poor
indoor air quality and stuffy rooms by
increasing the supply of fresh air to the
building, if air quality levels rise to an
unacceptable level.
Records of indoor air quality data
reduce risk:
Sensor readings can be logged to provide
a reliable record of proper ventilation in
a building. Such records can be useful
in protecting building owners against
ventilation-related illness or damage
claims.
Cost-efficient solution thanks to retrofit
ability in installed base:
Demand-controlled ventilation can be
used on existing, fully operational electric HVAC systems.

C
D

With demand-controlled ventilation

High energy performance
BACS and TBM

Advanced
BACS and TBM

Standard
BACS

Non-energy-efficient
BACS

BACS
TBM

Buildings suitable for demandcontrolled ventilation applications

with most energy saving potential
Demand-controlled ventilation has the most
energy saving potential in buildings where
occupancy fluctuates during a 24-hour
period, is unpredictable, and peaks at a high
level. Examples are
movie theaters, entertainment, and
night clubs
auditoriums, schools, and sport halls
restaurants, canteens, and cafeterias
office buildings, government facilities
hotels and convention centers
retail stores and shopping malls

Non-energy-efficient
BACS

Building Automation and Control System

Technical Building Management System

Highlights
Energy savings due to lower power
consumption of the fan and reduced
heat losses of the ventilation system
Enhanced room comfort owing to
optimum fresh air supply and lower
fan noise levels
Reduced risk with records of indoor
air quality data
Cost-efficient solution thanks to
retrofit ability in installed base

Additional tools to show your compe

tences to your customer
Energy class performance tool
Tender tool with neutral and functional
texts

The information in this document contains general descriptions of technical options available,
which do not always have to be present in individual cases. The required features should therefore
be specified in each individual case at the time of closing the contract.
Siemens Switzerland Ltd, 2010

www.siemens.com/energyefficiency

DCV_EN.indd 2

Siemens Switzerland Ltd

Industry Sector
Building Technologies Division
International Headquarters
Gubelstrasse 22
6301 Zug
Switzerland
Tel +41 41 724 24 24

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