Operating Costs of Air Dome Structures

2024-05-17 11:31:05

As a type of green building, Air Dome Structures have gained significant recognition in industrial, architectural, and medical fields. Despite their clear economic advantages, many people still believe that the operation and maintenance of these buildings incur high costs. In reality, the operational and maintenance costs of Air Dome structures are not as high as one might imagine. Below is a detailed overview of the specific expenses involved in maintaining these structures.

 1. Cleaning Costs

The membrane material of air dome structures has self-cleaning properties, meaning common dust on the exterior surface can be washed away by rainwater naturally. Consequently, the need for manual cleaning is minimal. Even when manual cleaning is required, the process is straightforward and does not necessitate complex equipment or a large workforce. Due to the low frequency and simplicity of cleaning, the cleaning costs for air dome structures are relatively low.

 2. Maintenance Costs

The membrane material of air dome structures is highly durable and has excellent tensile strength. Unless cut by sharp objects, the membrane is unlikely to sustain damage easily. The primary maintenance tasks for air dome structures include:

Maintenance of fans and generators: Regularly lubricating the fan bearings, changing the oil in generators, and replacing antifreeze.

Filter cleaning or replacement: Periodically cleaning or replacing the intake filters to ensure air quality and the proper functioning of equipment.

These maintenance activities are relatively simple and infrequent, requiring minimal labor and material costs, thereby keeping overall maintenance costs low.

 3. Energy Costs

The energy consumption of air dome structures primarily involves fans, air conditioning, and lighting:

Fan energy consumption: The fans in air dome structures do not operate continuously; instead, their operation frequency is intelligently controlled by the air dome control system. When the indoor and outdoor pressure difference is stable within the set range, the energy consumption of the fans is relatively low.

Air conditioning energy consumption: There is usually an insulation layer between the inner and outer membranes, and the top of the structure can include natural light strips. Using variable frequency air conditioners and specialized LED reflective lights can effectively save on air conditioning energy consumption.

Lighting energy consumption: High-efficiency, energy-saving lighting equipment such as LED lights, combined with natural lighting, can significantly reduce lighting energy consumption.

Through these measures, the daily operational energy costs of air dome structures are effectively controlled.

In summary, the operational and maintenance costs of air dome structures mainly consist of cleaning costs, maintenance costs, and energy costs. Thanks to their self-cleaning properties, robust structure, intelligent control systems, and energy-efficient equipment, the overall maintenance costs of air dome structures are relatively low.