Since no two buildings are alike, the process of making your building more energy efficient begins with an analysis that takes your architecture, lighting design, access to daylight, quality of insulation and energy needs into consideration. Our three tiered audit options allow you the freedom to choose the scope and detail of the analysis, ranging from a simple walk through to mechanical drawing and BMS specification analysis, electrical engineer consultation and three-year utility cost review.
Analysis
ASHRAE Level I
The ASHRAE Level I audit is the starting point for building energy optimization. It entails an initial review of the property’s utility bills and a brief site survey of the building’s systems and its modes of operation to determine cost saving opportunities. Based on this audit a list of more capital intensive improvements is created and an initial judgment of potential costs presented to determine the buildings comparative performance level and establish a baseline for measuring improvements.
ASHRAE Level II
The ASHRAE Level II audit provides the building owner with a detailed building survey and energy analysis including a detailed fuel use analysis and energy consumption breakdown. Utility rate analysis determines if there are rate change opportunities or if specific utility rate DSM programs are available to the building, while interviews with key building representatives are conducted to determine operational characteristics of the building, explore all potential problem areas, and clarify the client’s goals.
Once the detailed site assessment is competed, an energy model/building simulation and engineering calculations are developed in order to create a detailed and cost effective scope of work. The scope of work will include the cost and savings analysis of all practical measures that meet the owner’s economic criteria, along with a discussion of any changes to operation and maintenance procedures and health and safety recommendations.
ASHRAE Level III
This is the most comprehensive of the approaches to energy management and involves the long term collection of data. This data is used to pinpoint operational opportunities, setpoint adjustments, sensor adjustment and calibration opportunities and other equipment specific ECM’s. This approach is best suited to the complex commercial buildings with very specific payback analysis requirements.
Design
When considering the design of your energy management solution, ITEM is guided by your unique needs. Our design objective is to develop a building optimisation strategy by matching the results of your audit to the available lighting control strategies. Features such as high-end trim, occupancy/vacancy sensing, daylight harvesting, personal dimming control and scheduling allow for between 10-60% in lighting savings. Automatic window shading and HVAC integration leads to 5-20% savings on cooling, while plug load control account for 15-50% less than the current rate. Whether implemented individually or in combination, these strategies will address gaps in the building current energy management system, increasing efficiency and comfort.
Installation
I.T. Energy Management’s installation process is about partnership. We are able to join the expertise of our team’s engineers to the experience of your existing electrical contractors design, train, inspect, validate and commission to industry standards and client’s needs. The Lutron Systems installation process is an involved, multi-pronged approach that ensures that with respect to support post-installation and commissioning the client’s contractors are prepared to address any issues they arise with as little disruption as possible.
Most importantly, the process involves partnering with our clients to ensure that our solutions and systems are programmed to work in tandem with your routine. This entails defining schedules for timeclocks on operating hours, space functionality, precise lighting and HVAC set points and overall building energy consumption where there are adequate control mechanisms in place. ITEM’s and Lutron’s team of commissioning agent will be responsible for the programming of the system once installation is completed.
Maintenance
Our systems are designed with our clients in mind: easy to maintain and easier to use. Even so, system architecture and device upgrades are critical to ensuring that our solutions operate at an optimum level, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This is why we recommend the execution of a comprehensive maintenance plan on either a quarterly or bi annual schedule. Our maintenance service consists of firmware upgrades, floor plan changes that require hi-level access to programmed database, designer changes to space names, time clock modifications and other routine reviews. We also offer Facilities Team training to maximize energy efficiency and emergency telephone support.