Beyond the
Tulane Study

“Cool-n-Save can lower the cost of running HVAC systems by as much as 30%” and “Cool-n-Save can reduce energy consumption of HVAC systems up to 30%” are not just idle claims. They are based on real world results, not superlatives and speculation. Some research – in particular the one from Tulane University – have fund that, under certain ideal conditions, savings might even be greater than 30%. The study itself can be found HERE.

No doubt, the Tulane study was good for Cool-n-Save. But, some of its findings presented a bit of a conundrum for the marketing department at Greenway Design Group. Amid the observed gained efficiencies that our technology presents for HVAC, the researchers concluded that Cool-n-Save increased heat flux by 170%. Since heat flux is a measurement of HVAC efficiency, this conclusion might seem incredible were it not based on the results of a controlled laboratory experiment.

The first reaction by our copywriters was to take up the claim that Cool-n-Save increases “heat exchange efficiency by 170%.” However, cooler heads prevailed and Ben Lefrancois and Darius Jakubik decided to take a more conservative course. Rather than suggest very high (and unreasonable) expectation for energy savings, the company went beyond the Tulane study and relied on the real world results. In so doing, we also burdened ourselves with taking in all of the variables and conditions that can affect Cool-n-Save performance.

For instance, weather and climate have significant impact on performance. Warmer, dryer conditions tend to generate the best results (e.g., the upper end of the savings scale) while cooler, wetter conditions do not (e.g., lower end of the savings scale). Then there’s the location, size and condition of the condenser unit. Smaller, older units that are poorly maintained will not produce the same level of savings of larger, better-maintained or newer units. We found that there are far too many variables to make blanket, unconditional claims.

We found the answer from our clients: people were saving “up to 30%” on the cost of running their HVAC system (the average saving is about 25%). According to EIA data (Energy Information Administration), electricity for HVAC alone can be 25 to 50% of the monthly cost of building operations (depending on local electricity rates). That means many of our clients see reduced overall energy consumption from 7 to 15%, which in any economy is a huge dividend.

Why Cool-n-Save works:
The science behind the savings.

Heat is often loosely referred to as thermal energy. However, the scientific definition of heat requires that energy be actually in the process of movement from one object to another. While this may seem like a quibble over details, the particular point of interest in the Tulane study is heat flux – or the rate in which heat travels.

Thermodynamics (the study heat energy) is the underlying reason why HVAC works the way it does. To truly understand the work that is going on behind the condenser coils of your air conditioner, there are several laws of thermodynamics to consider. One is the fact that the energy of an isolated object is “conserved” and may remain constant. Another law observes that heat transfer occurs only in the direction of the colder object. For HVAC, we want to get rid of heat, so anything that promotes heat transfer – or heat flux – is ideal.

Promoting heat flux means allowing spontaneous flows of energy from one object of a high temperature (e.g., refrigerant inside the coils) to one that has a lower temperature (e.g., condenser fins). Therefore, the lower the fin temperature, the greater the heat exchange. By extrapolation, this leads us to the potential energy-efficiencies gained by Cool-n-Save. By spraying micro water mist into the air around the HVAC unit, we ensure that the heat ratio between the coolant and the fins is as large as possible.

Real World Results

International Rubber Products in Dominguez Hills, CA

The client owns a 40,000 square foot light industrial building. The facilities summer electricity bills (July through October) averaged $22,608 prior to the installation of their Cool-n-Save Commercial system. After Cool-n-Save, the monthy electricity cost dropped to $18,659 - an average savings of $3,949 per month. According to the client, significant savings was sustained through the year and he has realized a 17% reduction in overall electricity costs. Incidentally, the cost savings earned him a total payback period of less than 2 months.

Arco AM/PM gas station in Moreno Valley, CA

The location consisted of a 2,400 square foot convenience store serviced by two 10-ton HVAC condensers plus two smaller condensers that serviced the walk-in cooler. We installed our pre-cool system on all of the condensers. From June through September 2009, this location experienced savings of $1,620 in total electricity compared to the prior summer. The monthly average savings represents a 7.2% reduction in the total cost of electricity. The expected payback is less than one year.

City Club Store in Lincoln Monterrey N.L. Mexico

Prior to installation, one HVAC unit consumed 8,802 kWh. When the Cool-n-Save system was activated, consumption dropped to 6,523 kWh – more than 25% savings. Based on the local rate of $0.15 per kWh, the client could realize a NET savings of $1,435 per month for one unit. There are more than 30 condensers at this location – we estimated his annual savings at more than $500,000. At that rate, the client will realize a substantial profit from his investment in less than one year.