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Enhancing Heating Efficiency at the Naval Surface Warfare Center with Airius Destratification Fans 

Enhancing heating efficiency

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) in West Bethesda, Maryland, needed a solution to improve heating efficiency and reduce energy consumption in its 7,000-square-foot Building 9 ‘Green Room’ machine shop. With a 27-foot ceiling height, the facility experienced significant thermal stratification, where warm air accumulated near the ceiling while personnel at floor level remained in cooler conditions. This imbalance forced the electric heat pump system to work harder, increasing energy costs and reducing overall heating efficiency. To address these challenges, the Navy Techval team implemented Airius Destratification Fans to improve air circulation, reduce heating demand, and enhance occupant comfort.

Challenge

NSWCCD’s machine shop struggled with uneven temperatures due to rising heat, leading to increased HVAC runtime and energy waste. The electric heat pump system expended excessive energy to maintain comfortable conditions at floor level, particularly in the early morning hours when heating demand was highest. Without a solution to redistribute warm air downward, the facility faced high heating costs and inefficient energy use, prompting the Techval team to seek an alternative that would improve thermal balance and reduce operating expenses.

Solution & Installation

To resolve these issues, the Techval team installed Airius Model 40 destratification fans to effectively redistribute warm air from the ceiling to the occupied workspace. The system consisted of six destratification fans mounted to the roof purlins above the 21-foot-high overhead crane system, ensuring optimal airflow without obstructing existing operations. The installation process was seamless, integrating with the existing heating system without requiring modifications to the heat pump or ductwork. Each fan operates at only 54 watts, offering low energy consumption while significantly reducing temperature differentials from floor to ceiling.

Results

The installation of Airius Destratification Fans at NSWCCD provided immediate improvements in energy efficiency and occupant comfort. The system successfully reduced heating system runtime by 40%, leading to $1,568 in annual energy savings and a simple payback period of 5.2 years based on an $8,105 installation cost. Personnel reported a warmer, more comfortable workspace, especially during early morning shifts when heating demand was highest. After an initial fan blade manufacturing issue was addressed, the system continued to perform reliably with no additional maintenance concerns.

The successful implementation of Airius Destratification Fans at NSWCCD demonstrates the effectiveness of destratification technology in reducing heating costs and improving air circulation in high-bay facilities. By evaluating facility parameters before installation, the Navy Techval team optimized their HVAC efficiency, reinforcing Airius’ role in enhancing energy efficiency for government and industrial buildings.

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