Commissioning Rooftop HVAC Units
Rooftop HVAC units are the most common heating and cooling systems for low-rise commercial and multifamily residential buildings. Commissioning, a process of measuring and adjusting equipment for maximum efficiency and occupant comfort, involves these steps . . .
Cool Flat Roofs
For low-rise commercial buildings a cool roof can save 8 to 20 percent of air-conditioning costs compared to less efficient roofs. Roofing materials last longer when they stay cool, which is an added benefit of cool roofs. Cool roofs employ roofing materials that reflect most solar heat and radiate absorbed solar heat readily back into the sky. Roof insulation is another tool that cool roofs use to minimize solar heat gains.
DALI Digital Lighting Control
A building’s lighting efficiency is often poor because light is provided when and where it isn’t needed. Improved lighting controls minimize this loss, and a new generation of control gear has emerged with improved reliability and adaptability. The latest electronic protocol is called DALI, or Digital Addressable Lighting Interface, and describes how lighting ballasts must perform.
Dishwashing Efficiency
The dishwashing process for restaurants and institutions is extremely water and energy consumptive. However, there are a number of ways to achieve cost-effective savings.
Duct Leakage in Small Commercial Buildings
Duct leakage in commercial buildings typically accounts for 5 to 25 percent of the supply airflow. Most of this ducted air escapes into unconditioned spaces (such as cavities above suspended ceilings) and returns to the air handler without doing any heating or cooling. This interior duct leakage can increase the blower’s energy consumption by 10 to 50 percent.
Economizers
Economizers help reduce air-conditioning costs by bringing cool outdoor air into buildings. They are commonly seen on rooftop air handlers. Economizers consist of dampers, linkages, actuators, and controllers. In dry or mild climates, air conditioners with properly functioning economizers typically use 15 to 30 percent less electricity than air conditioners without economizers.
Frictionless Compressors: Are they right for you?
Compressors that run on frictionless bearings are an enticing prospect. Danfoss Turbocor, Inc. is now marketing a line of compressors that use magnetic bearings to provide essentially frictionless operation.
Hydronic Distribution Energy Savings
You can improve hydronic distribution efficiency by employing the following simple heat-transfer improvements . . .
Keeping Air-Conditioning Coils Clean
Dirt on air-conditioning coils is a serious maintenance problem in commercial buildings. Dirty coils reduce airflow, decrease efficiency, reduce HVAC capacity, and are a major cause of compressor failure and indoor air pollution.
LEDs: Where are yhey used?
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are a developing lighting technology with several proven uses and many more applications in the design and testing stages. Lighting manufacturers are designing and manufacturing new LED products at a brisk pace.
Saving Water and Energy with Low-Flow Pre-Rinse Spray Values
Each year restaurant and cafeteria kitchens waste millions in potential profits by ignoring the water and energy running down their drains. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce this waste is to replace older pre-rinse spray valves with low-flow units.
Upgrading Fluorescent Lighting
Depending on your current lighting technology, substantial energy savings may be available to you by investing in more efficient lighting. Today's products not only use less energy and last longer, they improve the appearance of whatever they light.
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