Buying a New HVAC System

Buying a New HVAC SystemBuying a New HVAC System - If you are in the unenviable position of trying to sell your home or if you expect to be putting your home on the market in the next couple of years, you need every edge you can get to help attract buyers and get a good offer on your home.

Upgrading the energy efficiency of your home can help you get that advantage and pay dividends in the form of lower energy costs until your home sells. Several recent studies have concluded that energy-efficient homes sell faster and at higher prices than less efficient homes. (more…)

Energy Recovery Wheels | HVAC Enthalpy & Heat

Energy Recovery Wheels

Enthalpy wheel in a heat recovery unit

Energy Recovery Wheels | HVAC Enthalpy & Heat - As the cost of energy rises engineers are looking for ways to improve and increase energy efficiency. Aside from HVAC equipment with higher energy efficiency rates, improving structures for less heat loss and heat gain, and building automation systems giving the equipment precision control for the

better efficiency of the equipment, there are other ways to increase energy efficiency inside buildings. One of the ways to increase energy efficiency inside buildings is to add energy recovery wheels to the economizer systems. A US Department of Energy study concluded energy recovery wheels can save over 15% of the energy used in commercial HVAC applications.

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Variable Frequency Drives or VFDs | Energy Efficiency

Variable Frequency Drives VFDsVariable Frequency Drives VFDs | Energy Efficiency - In HVAC variable frequency drives add energy efficiency and precise control for fans and pumps. The VFDs offer demand control for airflow and water in chilled water systems, hot water systems, and air handling systems. Additionally, they are used to control airflow in a variable air volume system. More on how VAV boxes work.

VFDs require inverter duty motors and variable frequency drives can be purchased for three-phase and single-phase applications although the vast majority of variable frequency drives are used in commercial three-phase applications. (more…)

HVAC Inspections Commissioning – Building & Energy Codes

HVAC Inspections and Commissioning - Building & Energy CodesHVAC Inspections Commissioning - How often have you heard someone complain about inspectors or code officials whose job it is to inspect mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other trades work for safety and quality workmanship?

One could argue that workmanship or even design can be horrible even if the work passes a code inspection. However, chances are if the trades have any integrity they want the job to look good whether it is for the inspector or whether it is for pride and quality of work. (more…)

Building Commissioning Benefits | MEP Quality Control

Building Commissioning Benefits

Building Commissioning is a Systemic Process

Building Commissioning Benefits - The Building Commissioning Guide defines commissioning as a systemic process of assuring verification and documentation, from the design phase to a minimum of one year after construction that all facility systems perform interactively in accordance with the design documentation and intent, and in accordance with the owner’s operational needs including preparation of operating personnel. (more…)

Direct Digital Controls DDC | HVAC Control

Direct Digital Controls DDC or DDC Systems offer a high level of control for building mechanical and electrical systems. Additionally, the modern state-of-the-art direct digital controls have the ability to offers trends of data points of HVAC/Electrical equipment. Trending can be used to increase efficiency and troubleshoot problems with mechanical equipment. DDC integration can occur with any type of mechanical or electrical system in the building.

Additionally, the system can communicate via the internet for remote monitoring and control. Alternative names are building automation systems, building management systems, and energy management systems. (more…)