BREATHE-SAFE SYSTEMS can be cost justified as a capital expenditure by the savings the UVGI application provides. SanUVAire’s systems provide savings in energy and maintenance costs as well as the enormous benefits of a healthier indoor environment. Irradiating cooling coils with UVGI
virtually prolongs the life of the HVAC system in a transit vehicle by improving the efficiency and extending the life of the coil.
Once a BREATHE-SAFE SYSTEM is installed, a payback period of two to four years can reasonably be expected, but there is evidence that the payback period can occur within as little as eight months. That is, the cleaning action of UVGI on fouled coils is so effective and the reduced maintenance costs and the savings in energy are so significant that the retrofit of a BREATHE-SAFE SYSTEM pays for itself.
Transit Agencies can expect energy savings results from two effects: 1) the reduced pressure loss through the coils; and, 2) the increased heat transfer in the coils when the fouling film is removed. Both of these can be significant, as can the reduction or elimination of maintenance for the cooling coils. Since the coils will be maintained in a clean condition, there is virtually no requirement for periodic cleaning. And, the elimination of surface contamination on the coil itself restores cooling coil performance to original design values.
A Transit Agency’s ROI or economic savings resulting from the installation of a BREATHE-SAFE SYSTEM can be measured by comparing operating costs after installation with the operating costs before installation, minus the cost of installing and operating the UVGI system. Testimonials from current SanUVAire customers reveal that BREATHE-SAFE SYSTEMS are fully capable of restoring a fouled cooling coil to approximately the original design operating conditions. The cost savings then depends on how much coil fouling has occurred and how far the system capacity has been diminished in comparison with the original design conditions.
BREATHE-SAFE SYSTEMS include transit specific accessories designed from decades of testing and accompanying industry feedback. No other product or system compares.
SanUVAire filters are constructed of 100% woven AAA 81591 TN-Polypropylene on the front and back layers and 100% woven AAA 7154WL-Polypropylene in the accumulation layer. The holding capacity of ASHRAE is 120 grams, dust arrestance (i.e., measures of the ability of an air filtration device to remove synthetic dust from the air) of 88% ASHRAE, and initial resistance of 0.14 inches W.G @ 1200CFM across all layers. The innovative construction enhances the BREATHE-SAFE SYSTEM benefits and makes these one-of-a-kind filters environmentally friendly and reusable. The filter can be refreshed easily by rinsing with water.
EXAMPLES OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT PER BUS:
DRIVER SAVINGS
SanUVAire estimates the saving of just one day per year from driver illness based on an average yearly wage with benefits of $50,000.00 and a 200-work day year equals the loss of $250 per day for the driver plus the cost of a replacement driver at potentially time and a half wage rate or $375 per work day.
MAINTENANCE SAVINGS
HVAC Evaporator Cleaning is estimated conservatively as follows:
- 1 ½ hours per HVAC unit, $50.00 labor rate per hour equals $75.00.
- Four (4) cleanings per year (x $75.00) equals $300.00 per year per bus.
- Average cost of cleaning product $10.00 x 4 cleanings equals $40.00 per year per bus.
FUEL SAVINGS
Estimating a conservative average of 50,000 miles per vehicle per year as follows:
- 200 days of operation at 250 miles per day and an estimated 4.0 miles per gallon diesel equals an average 62.5 gallons of diesel per day.
- With an average 280-horse power engine, the A/C compressor requires approximately 10% of engine horse power for operation.
- The compressor power requirement is reduced by 1 hour per day (10-hour day) through continuously clean evaporators for both heat and cooling which equals 10% x 62.5 gallons or 6.25 gallons of diesel fuel savings per day.
- The yearly fuel savings: 6.25 gallons of diesel fuel savings per day times 200 days of operation (6.25 x 200) equals $1,250.00 per year per bus savings.
TOTAL COST SAVING PER BUS PER YEAR
- One day less driver absenteeism $250.00
- One day less driver replacement $350.00
- Labor cleaning evaporators $300.00
- Cleaning Material $40.00
- Fuel Saving $1250.00
- TOTAL $2,190.00
Total Cost Savings Per Bus Per Year Estimated Total is $2,190.00.
A 100 bus fleet equipped with BREATHE-SAFE SYSTEMS savings:
100 x 2190 = $219,000.00 savings per year
Can Your Agency Afford Not To Equip Its Fleet?
COST SAVINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY
- Bus interior odors are eliminated.
- Less pollution by reducing diesel fuel use.
- Fewer passenger complaints.
- Safer operating environment for drivers and passengers.
- Less engine maintenance, longer life because of less demand.
- Longer HVAC component life.
