TeamworX Team
21 Mei 2025
Climate change has made people seek sustainable options, including ways to efficiently utilize energy in manufacturing operations. In industrial buildings, one of the biggest contributors to energy use is the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.
Reducing energy use in the HVAC system not only lowers operational and maintenance costs but also minimizes the environmental impact of production operations. For industries that rely heavily on controlled environments, optimizing HVAC performance is a key step toward achieving energy efficiency and long-term sustainability.
What is the role of the HVAC system in an industrial building?
The HVAC system regulates temperature, humidity, and air quality within an industrial facility. It ensures the building remains safe and comfortable for industrial activities. As a result, the HVAC system is crucial for employee productivity, the proper functioning of certain equipment, and maintaining the quality of manufactured products.
“The HVAC system helps ensure a comfortable environment to run the operation, so the company can achieve its desired goals,” says Rangga Nugraha, HVAC Engineering Manager at TeamworX.
In large-scale operations such as factories, warehouses, or production plants, improper temperature and humidity levels can affect both human performance and machinery reliability. Excess heat, poor ventilation, or inconsistent cooling can result in production delays, product spoilage, or even damage to sensitive equipment.
Why do industrial buildings need an energy-efficient HVAC system?
Rangga notes that the HVAC system can absorb up to 60% of the electricity used in an industrial building.
Energy-efficient systems reduce the load on power sources, leading to cost savings and reduced emissions. Over time, these improvements can significantly lower a company’s carbon footprint and support corporate sustainability targets. Moreover, efficiency upgrades also offer indirect benefits such as reduced wear and tear on equipment and improved air quality for workers.
Utilizing BMS and heat recovery wheels to boost energy efficiency
One way to improve HVAC energy efficiency is through smart control technology called Building Management Systems (BMS), Rangga says. It coordinates heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to optimal and efficient work, eliminating energy waste from overlapping functions. These technologies ensure HVAC systems only consume energy when needed and at optimal levels.
“For instance, the system can detect outdoor temperatures and control the HVAC equipment to adjust its capacity accordingly,” Rangga explains.
In addition to the BMS, Rangga said TeamworX also implements a heat recovery wheel on the Fresh Air Handling Unit (FAHU) as part of its energy efficiency strategies. The heat recovery wheel is installed in the FAHU to utilize cold exhaust air from the room and pre-cool the warmer outside air before it enters the HVAC system.
The cold energy from this exhaust air is transferred through the heat exchange wheel to the incoming fresh air, so the air entering the system is already cooler, reducing the workload of FAHU. This process significantly lowers the energy required for ventilation and climate control, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the HVAC system. The heat recovery wheel is particularly effective in large hospitals and industrial facilities, where maintaining consistent indoor thermal conditions is critical yet energy intensive.
“We implemented the heat recovery wheel in the HVAC system at one of our latest projects, to ensure a consistent supply of fresh air for everyone in the building while keeping operational costs under control,” he notes.
