[ SYSTEM RETROFITS]
GETTING STARTED
WITH HVAC RETROFITS
Efficient mechanical systems can contribute
to building energy savings WRITTEN BY RYAN R. HOGER, LEED AP
WHY RETROFIT YOUR HEATING, However, when you add heating, cooling is comfortable for most do-it-yourselfers.
VENTILATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING and ventilating together and treat them as Although there still are millions more light-
SYSTEM? The answer is because it very a single system (as they generally are), you ing upgrades that need to be identifi ed and
well may be the largest energy user in your are looking at about 45 to 70 percent of the completed, we can almost assume you
building. Really? Many folks believe lighting building’s energy use. That certainly exceeds already know how to tackle this topic.
is the largest energy user in buildings today. the usual 10 to 30 percent lighting fi gures. But do you know how to reduce your
That is because most energy analysis and Of course a lot depends on climate, building HVAC energy consumption?
modeling is done by mechanical engineers, type and building usage but, in general, HVAC
and we do a great job of presenting the should be a major target for those who are reduce loads • • •
energy-use data so it incorrectly shows concerned about energy conservation. The fi rst step is to reduce your loads. Do
that lighting energy usage is the problem whatever you can to reduce the amount of
and not our beloved mechanical systems.
STEPS TOWARD
heating and cooling required. This means
Sometimes we will show energy in terms of better insulation and more of it. Get as
dollars instead of BTUs or kilowatts because HVAC EFFICIENCY much insulation as you can afford and
gas is often much less expensive than elec- Fantastic efforts have been made during the install it correctly. Use ASHRAE’s “Advanc-
tricity in many areas. Other times we simply past decade or two to reduce lighting energy ed Energy Design Guide” series for
show HVAC as separate categories—fans/ consumption. Lighting ballast and bulb climate-specifi c recommendations. (Free
pumps, heating, cooling and service-water change-outs have been the low-hanging downloads are available at
www.ashrae.org/
heating, etc.—to make the lighting number fruit of electrical- and energy-services aedg.) Improving your building envelope
stand out. companies for years. Changing bulbs also will reduce your heating and cooling needs.
IN THE NEXT SEVERAL ISSUES, Variable frequency drives Instantaneous water heaters
Retrofi t magazine will highlight Energy-recovery ventilators Demand-controlled
various HVAC technologies and Building-automation systems ventilation
strategies you can implement in Thermostats (programmable, Cooling-tower water
your building or home to reduce intelligent and internet conservation
WHEN IT
your energy use and carbon accessible) Air purifi cation to reduce
COMES
footprint. The magazine also Economizers mold, bacteria, viruses, VOCs,
will demonstrate methods to (air and waterside) smoke and odors
TO HVAC,
improve indoor air quality and Zoning (air and water)
WHAT
conserve potable water through Heat pumps (air-cooled,
HVAC equipment. water source and geothermal)
DO YOU
Solar water heating What would you like to see this
WANT TO
Variable refrigerant fl ow magazine cover when it comes
For example, you can expect to Dedicated outdoor air systems to mechanical equipment?
KNOW?
read articles about the following Temperature-reset strategies Please send us a note at editor@
HVAC retrofi t technologies: High-effi ciency boilers retrofi
tmagazine.com.
62 FALL 2009 // RETROFIT MAGAZINE
Retrofit_sept09.indd 62 9/22/09 8:41 PM
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