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Numbers Don ’ t Lie :
Saving Owners Money with PFE Diagnostic Data
All homeowners want to save money but are generally skeptical about savings related to energy consumption unless they can see the numbers . Since radon fans run 24 / 7 , this information is easily obtainable and incredibly accurate since all of the necessary values are known once a specific fan and pipe size are chosen . The PFE Diagnostic Kit app takes advantage of this by making these calculations for the mitigator so the homeowner can actually see how much they will save as a result of optimized fan and pipe selection .
These numbers can be quite compelling as the following example illustrates .
Based on the inputs shown to the left , the PFE Diagnostic Kit app selects the fan models suitable to sufficiently generate PFE , either a model Rn3 constant speed fan or a model Rn4EC variable speed fan . It also calculates their respective operational costs under any suitable pipe size scenarios :
In this example , notice that with a 4-inch pipe , a model Rn4EC operates at the design point of 133 CFM ( 63 l / s ) and 1.25 ” W . C . ( 313 Pa ) while a model Rn3 operates above the design point , at 139 CFM ( 66 l / s ) and 1.37 ” W . C . ( 343 Pa ). This is because model Rn4EC ’ s speed can be adjusted to exactly what the application demands while the constant speed model Rn3 can only operate at maximum RPM .
The app compares the operational costs of the two fans , showing that the owner will enjoy an annual savings of $ 64 using model Rn4EC instead of model Rn3 . Here is a breakdown of the costs and savings :
AC vs EC
• Model Rn4EC will consume 54 Watts in this application , the equivalent of 473KW per year . At $ 0.10 / kWh that comes to an operating cost of $ 47 per year .
• Model Rn3 will consume 130 Watts in the same application , the equivalent of 1139 KW per year . At $ 0.10 / kWh that comes to an operating cost of $ 114 per year .
• That ’ s a difference of 666 KW per year and a savings of $ 67.00 per year .
The impact of pipe sizing on operational costs is often overlooked or at least underestimated by mitigators . Sticking with the same inputs as used in the above example , we can see that this can result in a significant energy penalty for homeowners .
3 ” PVC vs 4 ” PVC
• Model Rn4EC operating at a design point of 133 CFM ( 63 l / s ) and 1.25 ” W . C . ( 313 Pa ) using 4-inch piping will consume 54 Watts or 473KW per year . At $ 0.10 / KWh that comes to $ 47.00 per year .
• The same model Rn4EC operating at a design point of 133 CFM ( 63 l / s ) but 3.35 ” W . C . ( 838 Pa ) using 3-inch piping will consume 148 Watts or 1296 KWh per year . That comes to $ 130.00 per year .
• That ’ s a difference of 823KW per year and a savings of $ 82.00 per year .
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