Human-Use Analysis:
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Revolving Doors
We've all seen them. We've all probably used them. When we were little kids, they were one of the coolest thing in the world! So what's the big deal?
The whole point of revolving doors is that they are designed as an energy saving alternative to normally hinged doors. Revolving doors permit much less air to escape outdoors when you pass through them, saving energy in heating and cooling buildings.
MIT is actually somewhat of a pioneer in the use of revolving doors as an energy saving tool. In 2007, Dan Wesolowski, a PhD student at the time, ran the numbers and realized that "A single person walking through a revolving door in February saves enough energy to light a 60-watt light bulb for 23 minutes," (ref) and if everyone used the revolving doors on campus more, MIT could save a significant amount of money each year--about $7,500 in natural gas a year in E25 (MIT Medical) alone. (more info here)
That's a lot of dough! But, before all the signs and awareness of energy savings, why weren't people using the doors in the first place? Looks like this is a job for some Human Use Analysis!
The whole point of revolving doors is that they are designed as an energy saving alternative to normally hinged doors. Revolving doors permit much less air to escape outdoors when you pass through them, saving energy in heating and cooling buildings.
MIT is actually somewhat of a pioneer in the use of revolving doors as an energy saving tool. In 2007, Dan Wesolowski, a PhD student at the time, ran the numbers and realized that "A single person walking through a revolving door in February saves enough energy to light a 60-watt light bulb for 23 minutes," (ref) and if everyone used the revolving doors on campus more, MIT could save a significant amount of money each year--about $7,500 in natural gas a year in E25 (MIT Medical) alone. (more info here)
That's a lot of dough! But, before all the signs and awareness of energy savings, why weren't people using the doors in the first place? Looks like this is a job for some Human Use Analysis!
Which door will you choose?