HVAC System Energy Efficiency Fixes

You are likely familiar with energy-saving advice: Use light sensors, turn off equipment when not in use, use Energy Star products, etc. However, three low-cost, energy-saving strategies are often overlooked.

1. Air Intake Dampers

When performing energy audits, Continuum Services ensures that air intake dampers are set correctly.

Air intake damper settings control airflow, thereby also improving energy efficiency, comfort, and air quality throughout a building. Properly adjusted dampers balance the heating and cooling distribution. Additionally, they prevent energy waste in unused areas, and can help maintain consistent temperatures.  In fact, incorrect settings can lead to inefficient operation, discomfort, and even equipment damage.

2. Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)

VFDs, part of an overall building automation strategy, save energy by reducing the speed of the fan or pump they serve.  The energy used varies, as the cube of the speed ratio, down to about 30%, depending on the application.

Problems occur when VFDs, designed to run at varying speeds, are set to one of three settings and then forgotten:  manual, or bypass.  When Continuum Services performs energy audits, our technicians often find one or more VFDs set to “bypass.” This means they’re operating at a steady 60 Hz, rather than varying the speed according to the needs of the equipment they’re controlling.

3. Coils

Proper cleaning of your building’s HVAC coils goes a long way toward improving energy efficiency, comfort and IAQ. However, many people don’t clean the coils of their system. Today, most coil cleaning involves spraying water and a cleaning solution that will reach only into the first few rows of coils.

Coils should be cleaned with a specialized steam solution that gets deep into the coils, whereby cleaning out the particulate and the dirty and hazardous biofilm. When done properly, steam solution cleaning prevents the fins from being bent out of shape, thereby preserving their efficacy. With proper cleaning, HVAC system efficiency improves from 10% to more than 1,000%.

For additional energy-savings, look at lighting, water use, plug loads, windows and the building envelope.  To find out more contact Continuum Services at 833-378-4088 or cs-sales@continuumservices.com.

Source: Newman Consulting Group, http://www.newmanconsultinggroup.us/green-building-blog/top_three_overlooked_energy_efficiency_fixes_for_hvac_systems