Non-residential behavior change programs are becoming increasingly popular. Not only do they move customers beyond widgititis, but can also result in larger, longer lasting savings.
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News Briefs
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Non-residential behavior change programs are becoming increasingly popular. Not only do they move customers beyond widgititis, but can also result in larger, longer lasting savings.
How and when to go about performing a whole-building simulation requires the expertise of an experienced energy engineer who can find the delicate balance between effective results in a reasonable amount of time.
Going way over the code-required amount of insulation is likely going to be very costly and only marginally effective. Save your money for other energy-saving projects like HVAC controls.
Blowers are simple to install, maintain, and replace. Compressed air systems are complicated machines that require a great deal of time to maintain. Blowers reduce that headache.
Knowing what you’re buying is especially important when considering an energy management system (EMS). Buying an EMS is a significant cost for most facilities.
Sequencing controls automatically tell a system which piece of equipment to operate and in what order. Typically, this means operating the most efficient piece of equipment based on demand or loading.
Keeping an eye on generation costs over time can help prepare for successful and cost-effective demand-side management techniques going forward.
Pilots are the superstars of the flying world. Pilot efficiency programs, on the other hand, are a much less known, but equally awesome, superstar of the energy efficiency world.
Such documentation can go a long way in developing a sound technical analysis. At the very least, presenting this information can eliminate the initial email or phone call to the customer asking, “What are you doing?”
Good program goals are an important pillar to program success. Program managers should keep program actor behaviors and responsibilities in mind so goals don’t become barriers to participation.
Energy efficiency (EE) programs operated by utilities are funded by tariff (utility bill) riders . However, some customers prefer to opt-out of such programs and avoid paying the EE riders.
Billing data may appear to be a rudimentary measurement of customer energy consumption. However, it provides key insights into the validity of energy saving projects from a high level.
What is it? Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), which recover heat from exhaust air, are common in commercial HVAC systems but have typically not been included on kitchen exhaust systems because grease build-up hinders their effectiveness. However, new generations of ventilation equipment are overcoming this obstacle to allow exhaust air to be used to pre-heat domestic hot water. How does it work? One approach to heat recovery for kitchen hood systems has been to use systems similar to traditional ERVs and either clean the exhaust air sufficiently upstream or provide wash-down to maintain effectiveness. These approaches have had limited success. A...
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What is it? Carbon dioxide (CO2) is everywhere in nature, but it’s not widely known that it can be used in refrigeration systems. Calling CO2, designated “R-744” as a refrigerant, an emerging technology may be a bit of a stretch. It was originally patented as a refrigerant in 1850; however, it fell out of use with the development of synthetic refrigerants. In recent years, CO2 has become increasingly popular again as a refrigerant with an increased focus on environmental safety and ozone depletion. How does it work? CO2 is used in vapor compression refrigeration systems similar to any refrigerant. When...
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What is it? Membrane air conditioning is a category of cooling technologies that utilizes hydrophilic (attracted to water) membranes to dehumidify air efficiently as part of a cooling system. How does it work? Warm, moist air enters the system and the water (in vapor form) in the air is pulled out in the membrane. A vacuum pump then pulls the water vapor out of the membrane to a condenser, where it is turned back into liquid water for evaporative cooling or use in a heat exchanger. No heat is added or removed during this process. Because the water is removed...
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What is it? Building operators have long abandoned hope of keeping everyone, everywhere comfortable. However, that’s because they have to set setpoints that occupants have little to no control over. Advanced setpoint controls take the guesswork out and allow users to give the system feedback directly. How does it work? Advanced setpoint controls are software systems that sit along the existing building automation systems. The software includes cellphone apps that allow occupants the ability to provide feedback on their space comfort conditions. The system uses this feedback to broaden or narrow the temperature ranges considered comfortable for spaces each person...
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What is it? Lithium ion batteries are familiar to most of us. In fact, there is a good chance one is powering the laptop computer or cellphone you are using to read this. Their high energy density and light weight makes them perfect for these applications. Forklifts have continued to use old fashioned lead acid batteries because they are cheaper, and their weight is actually useful in counterbalance forklifts. However, as the cost of lithium ion batteries continues to fall, their benefits, including energy efficiency, are making them more and more attractive to forklift buyers. How does it work? Both...
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Laser diode lighting is among several next generation lighting technologies that have emerged as a potential successor to LED lighting. It uses laser technology to provide light, as opposed to using diodes, gas, or a wire filament.
The effects of thermal bridging can be very significant. A typical steel-studded wall construction with R-13 batt insulation only translates to a composite R-6 insulation value.
Many simple things done upfront add up to a complex building. Effective use of simulations lets the designers go after as many points as possible during the early stages of design.
It seems as if we have been hearing about LED lighting as the “next best thing” without actually seeing it used where we most commonly need it — in our homes and workplaces.
It’s no secret that the sun provides an immense amount of energy to the earth each and every day and also has the potential to provide a seemingly infinite amount of renewable energy.
Going for LEED certification with all the design bells and whistles? Be sure to verify with the energy modeler that any energy recovery is making a substantial positive impact–or save a bunch of money for construction.
Incorporating renewable energy into your LEED® design can raise your facility to the next level or beyond. This Brief focuses on commercial LEED® building design incorporating renewable energy.
