Restaurants are the most energy intensive commercial buildings in the United States, according to the Energy Information Administration, and they consume nearly three times the energy of the average commercial building per square foot. Special equipment, lengthy hours, and sheer demand create much of this consumption.
In addition to their costly energy consumption, restaurants are particularly prone to building pressure imbalances. A building pressure imbalance – either negative or positive – often manifests itself as difficult-to-open doors. If building pressure stays out of balance, restaurant buildings can suffer from a number of other symptoms, including trouble maintaining room temperatures, underperforming kitchen hoods, odors due to infiltration, back drafting water heaters (look for moisture, corrosion or melted plastic on top of the top of the heater), and condensation dripping from ceiling diffusers.
Here are some ways a smart building automation system can diagnose, solve, and prevent issues like pressure and temperature imbalances in restaurant buildings – while reducing energy bills by up to 50% in the process.