How did Birdville School achieve a 40% reduction in energy use?

Birdville School achieved 40% less energy consumption by integrating RenewAire energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) with their Trane HVAC system. This combination allowed the facility to recapture energy from exhaust air that would otherwise be wasted.

Why is pairing an ERV with a Trane system effective for schools?

Pairing RenewAire energy recovery ventilators with high-efficiency systems like Trane ensures that the building meets modern ventilation requirements without overloading the primary heating and cooling equipment. The ERV pre-conditions the outdoor air, reducing the overall demand on the system.

How does energy recovery ventilation improve the learning environment?

By providing a continuous supply of fresh, filtered outdoor air, RenewAire ERVs help dilute indoor CO2 levels and pollutants. Improved indoor air quality (IAQ) is proven to enhance student cognitive function, health, and overall academic performance.

Are RenewAire ERVs compatible with existing school HVAC infrastructure?

Yes. RenewAire energy recovery ventilators are highly configurable and designed to work seamlessly with various third-party HVAC systems, making them ideal for both new school construction and energy-efficiency retrofits.

What is the expected lifespan of a RenewAire ERV in a school setting?

RenewAire energy recovery ventilators are built for long-term reliability, often featuring a lifespan of over 25 years with minimal maintenance, such as simple filter changes every three months.

School uses 40% less energy

Birdville School installed a ventilation system by pairing a Trane system with RenewAire ERVs. The updated system resulted in 40% less energy used in the school.

At a Glance

Project:

Project: Birdville High School
in North Richland Hills, Texas
Building Type: K-12 School
RenewAire ERV Units: 105
Design Student Occupancy: 2,200
Total Ventilation Rate: 75,000 CFM
Total A/C Capacity: 1,000 Tons

Engineering Firm:

Don Penn Consulting Engineers

Key Outcomes:

School is Operating at
40% Less Energy Costs
Consistent 25–30%
Reduction in Energy Costs
Ventilation A/C Demand
with RenewAire: 175 Tons
A/C Downsizing with
RenewAire: 125 Tons

Challenges

Provide increased ventilation for improved indoor air quality (IAQ)
Reduce energy and operating expenses

Overview

In general, the largest energy use in schools comes from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. These high energy costs can impact school budgets by reducing the funds available for other needs. Because of this, schools try to cut operational costs, which can lead to fewer educational resources, and deferred maintenance.

To improve IAQ, schools need to increase ventilation, but using conventional HVAC systems can waste energy and therefore leads to higher costs. With a RenewAire energy recovery ventilator (ERV), schools can reduce energy loads and choose to increase airflow in classrooms for better air quality. ERVs work by exchanging stale room air with fresh outdoor air while recovering energy from the outgoing exhaust airstream. With the use of a RenewAire ERV, like the HE10, schools can lower their energy costs by up to 65%.

Birdville School faced several challenges when they upgraded their HVAC. One of the challenges was the sheer size of the facility. At over 300,000 square feet, the school had classrooms, science labs, an auditorium, a gym, and an atrium, and each space required different amounts of ventilation. Sourcing a quite system that wouldn’t disturb students and staff was a another concern for the school. Finally, they needed they HVAC systems to be a cost and energy-saving solution. This is why the Birdville School District partnered with Don Penn Consulting Engineers (Penn) to renovate their HVAC system.

Solutions

When it came to installing a ventilation system, Penn paired their Trane system alongside of Renewaire ERVs because ERVs recover energy that would otherwise be lost in conventional ventilation processes. After installing the ERVs, Birdville School found that their energy costs were 40% less when compared to similar campuses.

Results

RenewAire’s energy recovery technology, the Birdville School experienced the following benefits:

Lower energy costs and reduced noise
By doubling the ventilation rate, the school improved indoor air quality for students and staff.
Awarded Outstanding Use of Technology Systems by the National School Boards Association.

The RenewAire Difference

According to the team at Don Penn Consulting Engineers, when they use RenewAire ERVs on their commercial projects, they “consistently see a 25–30% reduction in energy costs.” In addition to being “friendly to the environment, the system pays off every time you use it.”