Ventilated Caging-Strategies for Reducing High HVAC Costs

Michael Semenuk, Lenderking Caging Products

Present ventilated cage designs circulate air above the bedding in order to clear the cage of harmful contaminants. Air change rates of 60 ACH, or more, are not uncommon causing substantial HVAC operating costs. A recent study has confirmed that one ventilated cage design, is ineffective in removing enough ammonia to prevent upper respiratory lesions in rodents. The inability to reduce the moisture content of the bedding allows the formation of ammonia. One recommendation was to increase the air changes which would only result in higher energy costs. Rodents are burrowing animals spending a significant amount of time with their noses in wet, contaminant producing bedding material. The very thing that is to provide them enrichment, is itself, contributing to the formation of harmful contaminates and animal discomfort due to moisture in the bedding.

Current designs address the symptoms of cage contamination by exhausting already produced contaminants. I will present a new ventilated cage design in which the source of contamination is addressed by introducing air into the cage below the bedding. Pulling air through the bedding keeps it dry and reduces the formation of harmful bacteria. Attacking the source of the cage contaminants can reduce airflow requirements as much as 75% over existing systems to as little as 15 ACH. Reducing HVAC costs by such an amount will significantly reduce daily operating costs. Dramatically reduced airflow requirements will reduce rehab and new construction costs by reducing the size of HVAC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

Presently, manufactures are looking for ways to make there blower units more energy efficient, primarily by reducing electrical consumption. New fan blade designs and control technology is available that can reduce HVAC consumption as well. These new controls are able to be accessed remotely by a WiFi interface that will alter the amount of information available to the researcher.

In this briefing I will examine current ventilated cage models, their energy usage and costs. I will discuss strategies to reduce ventilation costs with present designs. I will also present a new cage design which uses a unique airflow design that dramatically reduces HVAC costs by up to 75%. Results of computational flow analysis and physical test results will be revealed and I will contrast HVAC costs between present designs versus the new. I will discuss how the new WiFi enabled blower controls can interface with at least one manufacturer's building management system putting powerful information literally in the hands of the researcher via their tablet or smartphone.

Biography:

Michael Semenuk has served as president of Lenderking Caging Products since 1987. Lenderking, a family business, is a manufacturer of a complete line of caging equipment for all species of laboratory animals, providing high quality and innovative solutions to animal housing needs. Mr. Semenuk is responsible for designing many of the housing features that are considered commonplace today, and, holds various patents for animal research housing innovations. As a sales/engineer, Michael brings a unique perspective when consulting with clients and strives to create products that offer solutions to typical problems found in the laboratory environment. This past year, Michael was focused on designing caging and facilities for U. S. customers that will allow researchers to compete globally for contracts that require compliance to ETS 123 standards. His present efforts are directed toward an individually ventilated cage that reduces the volume of air required to service the ventilated racks, which will reduce operating costs. "It takes America's Oldest Caging Company to bring you the Newest Innovations." Mr. Semenuk is a frequent speaker at AALAS meetings and other industry forums involving topics relevant to the research community.

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