James Bell-Torres

The cheapest kWh is the one never used. Pieces of equipment have a funny way to staying on when they don't have to be. Particular items to stay on the lookout for:

• AHU, EF, and Boiler schedules
• Optimal Start/Stop sequencing
• Boiler and Chiller lockouts
• Lighting schedules

Often times we find that we are using too much of a resource than needed. In particular:

• AHU duct static pressure and temperature resets
• Pump differential pressure resets
• Heating hot water temperature resets
• Chilled water temperature resets
• Condenser water resets
• Night airflow and temperature setbacks: Fumehoods, Bio saftey cabnets, and unoccupied labs
• Exhaust fan stack velocity reduction based on wind speed and direction

Controls are smart in today's industry. We can leverage that with automation. Many ways we can do this are:

• Changing OAT based resets to Trim & Respond based resets where applicable
• Tune AHU, EF, hot water, and other resets
• Widen temperature deadbands
• Minimum VAV airflow setpoint reductions
• Tune economizer and minimum OA damper schedule control
• Implement demand control ventilation
• Building envelope sealing

Thing are forgotten about or ran to failure. A large opportunity, but often timely and costly is to repair it.

• Repair large equipment e.g., AHUs, EFs, Boilers, Chillers
• Zone level e.g., VAV boxes and controls