Big Ass Fans

The January Bluegrass ASHRAE Chapter meeting will highlight The Big Ass Fan Company’s new 45,000 sq. ft. research and development building, recipient of the chapter’s technology award.

During the meeting, Christian Taber, Applications Engineer at Big Ass Fans will present a case study on the new Big Ass Fans Research and Development Laboratory, which has recently been LEED^® Gold certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is the USGBC’s premier rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient buildings. In this new space, Big Ass Fans is able to fully conduct fan performance testing including air velocity profiles, fatigue testing of fan assemblies and components, and prototype builds of the newest and most cutting-edge fan innovations.

Recent updates to ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, acknowledges recent research recognizing the added benefits of elevated air speed as it relates to comfort, as opposed to simply using HVAC. Big Ass Fans fits the criteria, helping to offset the need of accomplishing comfort through HVAC alone.

As part of Big Ass Fans’ commitment to sustainable practices, the Research and Development facility uses 35 percent less energy and 58 percent less water than a building meeting the minimum code requirements. By employing an innovative design practice during construction, nine percent fewer construction materials were used and 51 percent less landfill waste was generated than typical construction projects. Big Ass Fans were utilized in the facility to meet the requirements of the following LEED prerequisites and credits: Minimum Energy Performance; Optimize Energy Performance; Minimum IAQ Performance; Increased Ventilation; Thermal Comfort, Design; Innovation in Design: Materials. Taber’s presentation topics will include energy conservation measures and water efficiency measures utilized in the building as well as compliance with ASHRAE Standards 90.1, 55, and 62.1.

This month’s ASHRAE Bluegrass Chapter meeting will take place January 15, 2010 at Thermal Equipment Sales Lexington. Lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. and the presentation will begin at 12 p.m. For more information, visit http://bluegrass.ashraeregion7.org/bluegrass/newsletter/list.

About Big Ass Fans

Big Ass Fans designs and engineers contemporary 6- to 24-foot diameter fans for industrial, agricultural and commercial settings. Every Big Ass Fan uses an energy-efficient motor to generate air movement in large spaces, providing occupant comfort and energy savings year round. More than 40,000 Big Ass Fans have been installed worldwide in applications such as industrial plants, dairy barns, hangars, schools, lofts and health clubs. Product solutions include Powerfoil®X™, Pivot™, AirGo™, Element^® and Isis™. Big Ass Fans has been featured in Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Popular Mechanics and on television networks such as MSNBC and Discovery Channel. For more information on Big Ass Fans, visit www.BigAssFans.com or call 877-244-3267.

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