ENERGY USE ANALYSIS OF WORK OUT WORLD WITH DLC

The Work Out World (WOW) facility, formerly Blast Fitness, located in Lawrence, MA is approximately 22,000 square feet with 6 HVAC units controlling six distinct areas:  aerobics, child care, front desk, locker rooms, weight lifting area and equipment (treadmills, step machines, etc.).

Challenge

The DLC was installed in December 2012. The system was hooked up to control the six HVAC units. It was quickly discovered that one unit (#3) was not functioning properly for heat. Upon inspection it was found that the gas line was not connected to the unit. This was rectified and the unit was turned on March 18, 2013.

Bills were obtained for the same timeframes during two years, December through April in 2012 and in 2013 and an analysis of energy savings was performed for both electricity and gas.

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Results

The ROI for this installation was less than 15 months.

The results showed that the DLC reduced energy consumption by $2,131.45. The reduction comes from both electricity ($1,725.00) and gas ($406.45), in spite of the fact that there was an increase of 469 heating degree days (14%) in 2013 versus 2012.

Electrical savings came from both demand and use (kWh) reductions. This included a demand reduction of 2 kW at $6/kW and 15,000 less kWh at 11.5 cents per kWh. These are actual savings, not adjusted for heating degree days.

The gas savings need to take heating degree days into account. There was actual increase of 627 therms over the four-month period, with it being much colder in 2013 as compared to 2012. A scatter plot was generated for therms versus heating degree days from 2012. From that, a linear trend line was generated which was applied against the 2013 heating degree days and provided a predictable therms use. When compared to the actual therms consumed in 2013, there is a 363 therm reduction, providing a savings of $406.45.

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