Articles & Presentations

ARTICLES

High Performance HVAC

The National Institute of Building Sciences is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that successfully brings together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests, and regulatory agencies to focus on the identification and resolution of problems and potential problems that hamper the construction of safe, affordable structures for housing, commerce and industry throughout the United States. Authorized by the U.S. Congress, the Institute provides an authoritative source and a unique opportunity for free and candid discussion among private and public sectors within the built environment. The Institute's mission to serve the public interest is accomplished by supporting advances in building sciences and technologies for the purpose of improving the performance of our nation's buildings while reducing waste and conserving energy and resources. Click Here

BUILDING COMMISSIONING: A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR REDUCING ENERGY COSTS AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The Energy Analysis Group at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Labs recently published the results of a comprehensive cost-benefit assessment of building commissioning and existing building re-commissioning (http://cx.lbl.gov/documents/2009-assessment/lbnl-cx-cost-benefit.pdf). The study included building commissioning data from over 600 buildings representing 100 million square feet. The results demonstrate that commissioning is arguably the single-most cost-effective strategy for reducing energy, costs, and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings today. To view entire article Click Here

SATISFACTION THROUGH SIX SIGMA
(Reprint from Engineered Systems, March 2003) Originally developed for Motorola's production line, the Six Sigma approach translates to one message for all facilities: Before throwing money at new HVAC equipment, take steps to understand precisely what is going on in the current systems and how it is failing to meet goals. More thorough evaluation using measurable parameters can lead to smarter solutions through wiser spending, or sometimes simply through better practices. To view entire article Click Here

BENCHMARKING: THE FIRST STEP IN REDUCING UTILITY COSTS
With the increased application of microprocessor based controllers on mechanical equipment, additional operating information has become available to use in optimizing the operation of these systems. Benchmarking of system operation and energy use is the first step in the process of optimizing the operation of a building's HVAC systems. To view entire article Click Here

COMMISSIONING NEW AND EXISTING FACILITIES:
THE ENERGY MANAGER'S CRITICAL ROLE
Commissioning provides energy managers with the opportunity for a last look at systems so that problems can be addressed and systems can be improved upon before the initial start-up if needed. To view entire article Click Here

WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR AGING CHILLER PLANT
Replacing a chiller plant is often one of the largest end of useful life expenditures facing building owners. There are many factors to consider when determining when to replace an aging chiller plant. Property managers should consider using a life-cycle analysis as a decision-making tool.
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OPTIMIZING THE OPERATION OF HVAC SYSTEMS THROUGH TRENDING
HVAC energy use is one of the largest variable loads on our nation's electrical utility system. The application of microprocessor-based controllers on mechanical equipment provides data to use in optimizing the operation of these systems. To view entire article Click Here

OPTIMIZING THE OPERATION OF HVAC SYSTEMS THROUGH TRENDING
OR INTRODUCTION TO TRENDING
For many of us with a touch of gray in our hair, (or for that matter, a touch of hair on our heads), HVAC control systems were traditionally made up of electro-mechanical or pneumatic components. With the advent of distributed microprocessor-based controllers, critical operating information is now accessible. To view entire article Click Here

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS IN EXISTING BUILDINGS OR HVAC SYSTEM SURVEY
E3 Designs was hired to perform an assessment of the mechanical systems in eight schools. The scope of the project included a site survey to evaluate HVAC components, a review of available historical information, and the identification of any operational problems. The goals of this project included a complete life cycle analysis of the HVAC systems: operating efficiency, maintenance requirements, remaining useful life, and an estimate of replacement costs. To view entire article Click Here

STUDY CONFIRMS BENEFITS OF RE-COMMISSIONING
A newly released study by Berkeley Labs division of the Department of Energy confirms that building re-commissioning benefits far exceed the costs in all 600 buildings that were included in the study. The energy savings alone more than offset the cost of the re-commissioning projects.  Following the logic that a person would not fly in a plane that has not been regularly serviced, or sail on a ship that has not undergone scheduled maintenance (which, in fact, is the origin of the term re-commissioning), or even live in a house that is not operating efficiently, why would individuals work in a building that has not been re-commissioned on a regular basis? Finally, a study confirms what The Watson Group/E3 Designs has been telling prospects and clients for 25 years!  To view the entire article Click Here

PRESENTATIONS
Listed are descriptions of PowerPoint presentations offered by E3 Designs’ Sr. Project Engineer, Joe Watson.  (For a copy of complete presentation contact us)

WATER ASSESSMENTS: PROVING THE POTENTIAL FOR SAVINGS
(Presented at NFMT, 2010) There are often opportunities for reducing the quantity of water used in commercial office buildings. Savings can be realized by reducing the flow requirements for toilets, urinals, sinks, and showerheads, as well as non-domestic usage including kitchens, ice machines, HVAC cooling towers, and landscaping. There are proven techniques that can be applied to address savings opportunities beginning with a detailed audit to identify the types and quantity of water used at any given facility. This presentation provides examples of the opportunities that may be uncovered as part of a detailed water assessment, and reviews the steps required developing a successful facility water efficiency program.  Learning Objective(s): 1. Identify the uses of water in your facility; 2. Compare actual usage to calculated usage based on a similar building practicing good conservation methods; 3. Develop a process for implementing a successful facility water efficiency program.

PERFORMING EFFECTIVE BUILDING SYSTEM RECOMMISSIONING STUDIES
(Presented at NFMT, 2009) The benefits of building system re-commissioning are spelled out in the US Green Building Council’s LEED program, and include: Improved air and water quality; reduced operating costs; enhanced asset value and profits; improved employee productivity and satisfaction; and, optimized life-cycle economic performance. There is a wide range of assessments that can be considered including HVAC/Controls, electrical distribution, lighting, building envelope, water usage, and renewable resources including solar, wind and geothermal.  Learning Objective(s): 1. Understand opportunities that may be uncovered in each of the building systems as part of a comprehensive re-commissioning program; 2. Learn ways to conduct re-commissioning studies; 3. Comprehend operating data that can lead to developing improved strategies for optimizing building system performance.

SUSTAINABLE HVAC DESIGN AND OPERATION: THE MYTHS AND THE MAGIC
(Presented at Facilities Decisions, 2008) This session reviews actual operating data from multiple system types including VAV, fan coils, water-source heat pumps, package equipment and a wide range of central plant designs.  Innovative design concepts, including geothermal applications, ice storage systems, hybrid chiller plants, radiant heating and cooling, and under-floor distribution, will also be discussed.  You will learn to develop a methodology for evaluating alternative system designs and sustainable concepts that provide practical and effective methods for optimizing HVAC system performance.

IMPROVING EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE, REDUCING ENERGY COSTS
(Presented at NFMT, 2007) our goal is to provide building managers and operators with a methodology for evaluating the performance of their existing equipment, and to provide justification for renovating and upgrading systems through improved environmental quality and reduced operating costs.

BENCHMARKING HVAC DATA
(Presented at NFMT & USGBC, 2005) In the late 1990’s, E3 Designs began a program of collecting HVAC operating information directly from building energy management systems. Key operating information was identified and trends set up to collect data hourly. To date, the firm has collected HVAC operating data on over 10 million square feet including commercial office space, schools and educational facilities, medical buildings, and manufacturing facilities. The data has been used to compare the operations of the HVAC systems between these facilities using a number of key metrics to define the effectiveness of the various systems. This presentation describes E3 Designs’ approach including defining the parameters used to measure an “effective” HVAC system, methodology for collecting and evaluating the data, and the results of the evaluations to date.

IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HVAC SYSTEMS IN NEW BUILDINGS
(Presented at NFMT & Energy 2004) One of the most difficult challenges facing facility managers and building operators is the transitioning of a new building from the construction process to the building operations group. This is especially true of the HVAC systems, but techniques applied throughout the process can help the transition from construction to operations. In this presentation experience the design and installation of HVAC systems from the perspective of the operations and facility management teams from a recently completed headquarters office project in the Northeast and review of the construction process from initial design concepts through the installation and warranty period. This presentation includes a case study reviewing the operating data as well as problems identified and recommendations made to improve overall HVAC system effectiveness.

APPLYING SIX SIGMA PRINCIPLES TO HVAC PERFORMANCE
(Presented at NFMT 2003) Learn how the Six Sigma approach, an analytical method comprised of specific steps aimed at achieving near perfect results, can be applied to improve the design, operation and efficiency of HVAC systems. This PowerPoint presentation provides a review of the parameters that define effective HVAC systems and includes a case study that outlines the steps to achieving superior performance.

DETERMINING HVAC LIFE-CYCLE COSTS
(Presented at NFMT 2002) Life-cycle costing - the most widely recommended method for determining the overall economic impact of HVAC systems -takes into account all associated expenditures over the useful life of a system. Consequently, the biggest problem facing facility managers is one of estimating the true costs for each life cycle component. In this presentation, given to the 2002 NFMT Conference, we discuss efforts currently under way to gather and summarize life cycle data as it pertains to installed costs, operating costs, maintenance costs and service life.

For more information about our programs, please contact an E3 Designs Representative at 252-255-1843.