Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) has developed a software in partnership with Boon Edam which confirms that revolving doors cut energy bills and take the load off HVAC systems.

The energy calculation software quantifies the benefits of revolving doors compared to sliding doors when considering energy savings and prevention of draught.

It shows the payback period for installing a revolving door is shrinking rapidly as energy prices accelerate quickly. At current energy prices, Melbourne has the quickest payback time of four years, with Brisbane next at 4.9 years and Sydney at 5.7 years.

Specific facility data is processed with the new software, which calculates and reports on data including:

• Energy savings in kWh per month throughout the year when a revolving door is installed
• Payback time of a revolving door
• The amount of discomfort from draught

The program uses information regarding:

• Facility specific entrance usage
• Local energy costs
• Size and type of building
• Weather data from globally validated sources
• The number of people that can enter per sliding door opening
• The number of people that can enter per revolving door revolution

Boon Edam Australia Managing Director Michael Fisher said through the software, architects and builders can make science-based ROI comparisons that consider the comfort and sustainability objectives of the spaces they create.

“Its science-based approach gives specifiers the chance to demonstrate to their clients what many of them have known for years: Revolving doors offer permanent gains in energy efficiency across the spectrum of commercial building types, both existing structures and new buildings seeking NABERS or National Electricity Market (NEM) measurable sustainability credentials.”