Revolving doors are greener than standard ones
Published Monday, 6th April 2009
Here’s an easy way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions: use revolving doors instead of standard entryways whenever you can.
According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), revolving doors help reduce the amount of heat lost from buildings when people walk in or out. Student researchers there have calculated that an average of eight times as much air is lost to the outside when using a standard door, compared to a revolving door.
In the case of one building on its campus, MIT estimates revolving-door use could save $7,500 in natural gas costs a year (enough to heat five homes) and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 15 tonnes.
The university has embarked upon a “Resolve to Revolve” campaign that’s encouraging those on campus to choose revolving doors when possible.
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The normal operation of heating, A/C, and ventilation systems typically create a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the buildings they supply. When you open a regular swing door, the pressure difference forces a rush of air into or out of a building as the system tries to reach equilibrium. If you picture the way a revolving door operates as you exit a building, the door panel in front of you opens as the one behind you closes. Instead of a rush, the only air that can be exchanged is the volume of air that gets trapped between two door panels as the door rotates.
The heat being produced is being sustained as it is confined. Once it is released by a regular door, variables like temperature and air pressure will change causing a greater need for heat conversion.
The use of revolving doors causes less heat to escape.