Researchers work in their labs at all hours. And their procedures often require controlled environments and equipment that must be constantly cooled.

This reduces the ability of building operators to save money through nighttime setbacks. Think of a timer on a thermostat that shuts off the fans at 6:00 PM — a common practice in office buildings.

One solution used at the EPA’s campus is to cut room exhausts with nighttime setbacks while providing personal controls in labs that can override the building system. The EPA’s variable air volume HVAC system in labs is controlled by occupancy sensors that maintain user safety and energy efficiency.