CO2 Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV)
CO2 sensors modulate outside air to cut HVAC load while protecting air quality.
What is demand-controlled ventilation?
Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) uses CO2 sensors to measure how many people are in a space and adjusts outside air to match. Instead of heating or cooling a fixed, maximum volume of hot Nevada air, the system brings in what occupants need, cutting HVAC load while protecting indoor air quality.
What is CO2 / Demand-Controlled Ventilation?
Ventilation systems are often set for maximum occupancy all day. In classrooms, gyms, meeting rooms, ballrooms and retail floors, occupancy swings widely.
CO2 sensors provide a proxy for occupancy. The controls modulate outside-air dampers to keep CO2 within target while avoiding over-ventilation.
How does it lower your bill?
- Less outside air to cool in summer and heat in winter.
- Lower fan energy when paired with VFDs.
- Documented air-quality data for occupants and facilities teams.
- Works with existing RTUs that have economizers in many cases.
Typical savings
Typically 5–20% of HVAC energy in variably occupied spaces (typical, varies by facility).
Typical, varies by facility. Confirmed through an on-site audit and metered M&V.
Ideal facilities
- Schools and universities
- Gyms, ballrooms and meeting spaces
- Retail floors
- Offices with variable occupancy
Utility capital pays for part of the upgrade
DCV is usually packaged with HVAC controls and evaluated through NV Energy prescriptive or custom paths depending on scope.
- We identify every eligible NV Energy prescriptive and custom incentive.
- We stack lighting with controls to raise the incentive 20–50%.
- We prepare and submit the application, then verify savings under IPMVP.
Measured under IPMVP, monitored 24/7/365
We follow the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP). Before work starts we set a metered or engineering baseline. After installation we measure the same loads and adjust for weather, occupancy and operating hours. The difference is your verified savings, and it is reported in kWh, kW and dollars.
About Virtual Energy ManagementAudit
On-site survey of lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, motors and metering. We document baselines and operating hours.
Engineering & Financial Model
Measure-by-measure design with kWh, kW, cost, incentive, SIR, IRR and payback.
Incentive Application
We prepare and submit NV Energy prescriptive and custom applications and track approval.
Installation
Licensed crews install on your schedule, nights and weekends included, with minimal disruption.
M&V / VEM
IPMVP-compliant verification and 24/7/365 Virtual Energy Management keep savings in place.
Estimate savings: CO2 / Demand-Controlled Ventilation
Adjust the inputs for a planning estimate. The full calculator adds incentives, payback, CO2 and a 10-year view.
Assumes $0.10/kWh and $12/kW-month. Change rates in the full calculator.
Planning estimate only. Actual savings and incentives are confirmed through an on-site audit and utility program approval.
Related solutions
Frequently asked questions
Does DCV reduce air quality?
No. It keeps CO2 within target levels and avoids over-ventilating empty spaces.
Do CO2 sensors need calibration?
Quality sensors use self-calibration; VEM watches for drift.
Can DCV be added to existing RTUs?
Often yes, if the unit has a working economizer and controllable damper.
Which spaces benefit most?
Spaces with large, variable occupancy such as classrooms, gyms and ballrooms.
Turn Your Overhead Into Net Profit.
Book a no-pressure consultation with a veteran energy consultant. We will show you the savings, the incentive and the payback before you commit.
Every month you wait is money lost to inefficiency. Incentive funding is limited per program year.