Approaching small businesses regarding energy efficiency programs is a challenge. Energy consumption in most small businesses is not high enough to justify the fixed cost of an energy efficiency program
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The Utility Cost Test is sometimes referred to as the Administrator Cost Test. This test determines whether a DSM program or portfolio is cost effective from the utility's perspective.
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These tests are important as they provide a measure that can be added and/or compared between programs and measures to determine net impacts on cost-effectiveness.
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Free riders include prescriptive measures where incentive applications and program guidelines clearly apply only to retrofit situations. Many VFDs installations can fall into this excess of program dollars.
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This week I was gleeful to find American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy released a study on my two favorite subjects on which to rant: taxes and energy efficiency! Yeah! I blogged about tax-distorting effects of EE about a year ago in EE V IRS,with many of the same arguments noted in the recent ACEEE paper. The ACEEE paper points out that: Since the cost of energy is a business expense, it is tax deductible and therefore, the tax code penalizes to the tune of 35% the bottom line improvement from saving energy. As I mentioned in EE V…
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VFD installations can save 30% to 80% of energy use, but only in some installations and only if the systems are properly set up. Below are a few common VFD issues regarding savings potential.
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EMCSs are only as good as (A) the engineer who writes the control specifications, (B) the controls contractor who installs and programs the system, and (C) the facility manager who uses the EMCS.
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Install variable frequency drives (gas pedals) on your fans and pumps that require variable output or constant part-load output. Practically every building has numerous potential applications.
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When a system has high static head requirements, the range of power consumption that the VFD can modulate over is reduced, which in turn reduces the potential energy savings.
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The purpose of heat rejection equipment is to remove heat from chilled water, refrigeration, process and other equipment. Heat rejection equipment includes cooling towers, fluid coolers, and condensers.
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