ENERGY SAVING EQUIPMENT
to start is to ensure that critical HVAC equipment is kept clean. Technology such as air intake screens can help. These pre-filtering screens comprise long lasting, weather-resistant filter mesh products which fix to external intakes on air handling units, chillers, and condensers. ECEX Air Intake Screens pre-filter outside air and to ‘catch’ detritus such as dust, pollen, and leaves. By moving the airborne debris to a position in which it can easily be removed (using a soft brush, hose, or vacuum cleaner), the ECEX Air Intake Screen provides a simple, retrofit protective option for on-site equipment. This simple cleaning regime will allow fan motors to run more efficiently, coils to remain unsullied for longer and less frequent changes required for internal filters. Used with air handling units, ECEX Air Intake Screens can increase the life of internal filters by up to 60%. As well as saving energy and reducing
maintenance demands, ECEX Air Intake Screens also help extend the life of coils and ensure they continue to operate at optimal efficiency. Furthermore, they boost energy efficiency because the fans need not work harder to overcome the effects of blockages. Another activity designed to reduce the need for maintenance is good housekeeping practice. The Carbon Trust recommends the following for air conditioning systems: Q Ideally, set timers so that there is no cooling when the building is unoccupied.
Q Time-control each unit in localised cooling systems to avoid out-of-hours operation.
Q Check temperature settings. Find out the tem- perature at which the air conditioning turns on and the heating system switches off; the greater the temperature gap the better.
Q Clean ductwork, fans, and grilles regularly, and ensure furniture doesn’t obstruct air pathways.
Next, examine the potential for chiller maintenance. Begin by turning off unnecessary chillers or sequence the chillers to save energy as well as reduce wear and tear. Schedule chiller maintenance operations on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis and draw up a checklist that is signed each time a maintenance operation is completed so that everybody knows the state of the maintenance plan.
Also, check for condenser and evaporator tube corrosion and clean (clues to potential problems include poor water quality and excessive fouling) and inspect chilled water and condenser water piping systems annually for evidence of corrosion and erosion. Moreover, it is important to lubricate the compressor, pumps, and motors
to comply with the manufacturer’s specifications, check wiring for overheating and tightness of connections, and check refrigerant condition and level annually, and top up if necessary. Have the refrigerant analysed to ensure that it has not degraded. Also, check for refrigerant leaks – excessive refrigerant loss indicates a leak, which you need to fix as a matter of urgency. Finally, test the compressor motor and oil pump motor windings.
Equipment maintenance, however, does
not stop at the chiller parts; coils contained in condensers and evaporators must also be carefully maintained.
These components are placed under additional
strain in the cold winter months and, should they fail, a business could potentially be brought to a halt. So, focus on the two types of coils: Q Condenser coils which dissipate heat absorbed from the refrigerant.
Q Evaporator coils which absorb heat from the surrounding environment rather than the refrigerant.
Airborne particulates such as leaves, pollen and dirt begin to layer up on the fins and tubes of condenser coils over time. As a result, the condensing temperature increases which makes the compressor work harder for longer to achieve the necessary cooling effect. This makes the condenser coil more expensive to run and increases the strain on the unit leading to an increased risk of breakdown. An evaporator coil can also become easily clogged with airborne debris, but the consequences are slightly different. By restricting the airflow through the unit, the pressure drop
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www.ecex.co.uk
Protect and survive As a contractor, you might find it useful to
consult SFG20 – the standard maintenance specification for building engineering services. SFG20 is the benchmark for working standards owned and kept up to date by the Service and Facilities Group (SFG), a specialist section within the Building Engineering Services Association.
The standard is recognised as the industry standard and is an essential tool for planned maintenance. It offers building owners, managers, contractors, consultants, and end users the tools to keep buildings properly maintained and compliant and is made available through a dynamic web-based service that is updated in real-time. X
www.sfg20.co.uk
means the cooling effect of the air is also reduced so the unit must run for longer to achieve the requisite level of cooling. Reduced airflow not only results in the
unit remaining operational for longer than is necessary, but also means that it must work harder to achieve the airflow required. Both these factors place the unit under greater risk of breakdown and more importantly, downtime for the end client or tenant. However, this can be prevented by applying effective maintenance and the right equipment to prevent clogging, corrosion, or leakage. Specialist companies like ECEX can help with this process.
www.acr-news.com • January 2022 23
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