Improving air circulation to occupied spaces is a smart approach to slowing the spread of COVID-19, but conditioning and exhausting the additional air can be a significant new expense. Fortunately, there are some ways to mitigate that cost, and now one of them is eligible for rebates from the utility provider which until recently were only available to residential customers.
The duct systems in commercial buildings typically leak between 15% and 25% of the conditioned air that they carry. However, sealing the ductwork “from the inside” using the Aeroseal® process typically reduces that leakage by 80% to 95%. Doing so provides an immediate improvement in circulation of air to the occupied space. It also provides an opportunity to reduce the fan speed needed to deliver the desired number of air changes to the occupied space, cuts down on the energy needed to heat or cool the air, and reduces the risk of cross-contamination. Fully capitalizing on the seal may require a testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) project after the seal.
The good news is that a program which has, for several years, provided rebates to homeowners who have their duct systems sealed is now opening up to commercial projects. It is funded by North Shore Gas and People’s Gas and executed by Franklin Energy. It is structured a bit differently than the residential program, but it’s open for business.
Not incidentally, if you’re trying to improve air circulation and save money, cleaning coils can help with both. Any buildup on coils creates an unwanted insulation effect, and can also obstruct airflow.
If you’d like to talk about the possible benefits of having your ducts cleaned and/or your coils cleaned, give us a call at 630-595-4242.