Providing Comfort Cooling for workers is a key component of Creating a Successful Environment. Last week we talked about using Spot Cooling Solutions to provide additional comfort cooling. But what solutions are available if workers are in need of more than Spot Cooling Solutions to be fully productive? There is always traditional air conditioning which comes with a very high price tag for both the initial costs and the operating costs. Another solution is indirect evaporative cooling. This week I will discuss the benefits of using indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) versus AC as a whole facility solution for comfort cooling.
Comfort Cooling
Before getting into the discussion of IEC versus AC, I want to remind you why it is important to consider whole facility solutions for Comfort Cooling. Studies have shown that workers become less productive when temperatures are above 77 degrees F. The productivity loss is 1% for every degree over 77. Consider a situation where workers are in a facility where it is 95 degrees F outside and the ventilation system is able to keep the inside temperature the same as the outside temperature. Spot cooling solutions are only good for an 8 to 10 degree cooling effect. That still leaves a large gap to get the temperature down to where workers are 100% productive. That is why considering a whole facility solution for comfort cooling is very important.
IEC versus AC
IEC is a great technology that utilizes the evaporative cooling effect of water without raising humidity levels. To learn more about the technology, read our blog on the Science and Technology of IEC.
When used to provide comfort cooling as a whole facility solution, the benefits of IEC versus AC are:
- Initial capital costs of an IEC system are less
- Annual operating costs of an IEC system are 1/3 the costs of a similar sized AC system
- The time and cost for maintaining an IEC system are significantly less than an AC system
- An IEC system can be designed as either a single pass or recirculating ventilation system
- Single pass IEC systems can utilize the exhaust air paths of the existing ventilation system
- Recirculating IEC systems can control humidity to lower levels than AC
Payback for Comfort Cooling
There is no avoiding the fact that investing an IEC system has a high price tag. However, there is a payback to the company through higher productivity, lower turnover, lower absenteeism and fewer heat related illnesses. Depending on how many employees are working in the facility and how many shifts are worked per week, the expected payback period can be under five years.
Conclusion
When workers are in an environment that is safe, comfortable and productive and the company realizes a financial benefit for providing those working conditions, that is what we refer to as a successful environment. If you are in need of a whole facility solution for comfort cooling, let Eldridge show you how investing in Cambridge Air Solutions’ indirect evaporative cooling units can create a successful environment in your facility.