Design Guides for Commercial HVAC Systems Discussed at AEE/NCC Meeting

Recently, the Association of Energy Engineers National Capital Chapter (AEE/NCC) invited Dr. Paul Torcellini, the noted Group Manager for Commercial Building Research of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), to speak at the Association’s monthly meeting. In his talk, Dr. Torcellini presented an introduction to the design guides the laboratory has published for various commercial buildings. Many of these are relevant to the business of designing energy-efficient commercial HVAC systems for Altus Corporation’s clients.

The guides Dr. Torcellini laid out detail design specifications for a wide variety of commercial buildings and cover requirements for 50% and 30% energy savings. The comprehensive list of buildings includes small and large hospitals and healthcare facilities, medium to big box retail establishments, small and medium office buildings, K-12 school buildings, small warehouses and self-storage facilities, and highway lodging, among others.

http://altusmechanical.com/design-guides-for-commercial-hvac-systems-discussed-at-aeencc-meeting/

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Commercial HVAC Services Provider Launches Newly Redesigned Website

Altus Corporation is proud to launch their newly redesigned website to improve the overall browsing experience of visitors when looking up their services. The company offers honest and reliable commercial HVAC repair and replacement options to customers in most of the Eastern United States, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland, among other states.

The website, redesigned by TripleE Fusion, now has a cleaner and fresher look that makes it easier for readers to learn more about the company. The overhaul starts with the updated logo that still uses the same red and gray colors but represents the movement of air in HVAC better and features a cleaner sans-serif font type. In every page, the banner now indicates the toll-free number and has a button that links to the contact page for immediate access to the company’s contact details.

http://altusmechanical.com/commercial-hvac-services-provider-launches-newly-redesigned-website/

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Tips for Energy-Efficient Commercial HVAC Systems

Climate change and improper use contribute to the risks and inefficiency of any commercial HVAC system. In addition, failure to conduct regular cleaning, tune-ups, or preventive maintenance results in costly repairs and, even worse, the need for replacement. Here are some pointers to help keep commercial HVAC systems fully functional and energy efficient.

Calculate your establishment’s energy needs to determine the most effective HVAC system. Decrease HVAC use by reducing lighting use, insulating windows, and sealing duct leaks. Install high-efficiency units with proper sizing, as well as take advantage of timers and fans.

Significant energy savings can be achieved when you enforce the use of your HVAC units only when and where necessary. Proper maintenance of not just the integral components but the entire unit can be the key to longevity and optimum efficiency.

Installation of an entirely new system may be necessary to cut energy costs. Carefully evaluate and compare the pros and cons of repairing and replacement. An experienced HVAC contractor can provide you with reasonable and cost-effective options.

Consult with reputable companies for more appropriate HVAC solutions and services that satisfy your needs. Invest in fully-functional and energy efficient commercial HVAC systems to ensure a pleasant, productive, and safe environment for your employees and customers.

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Improving the Energy Efficiency of HVAC Systems

Dr. Paul Torcellini, the Group Manager for Commercial Building Research of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), spoke at a meeting of the Association of Energy Engineers National Capital Chapter (AEE/NCC) earlier this month. Among other things, Dr. Torcellini discussed the design guides published by the laboratory pertaining to commercial buildings. Many of these guides are relevant to the business of designing energy-efficient commercial HVAC systems for various users.

The guides Dr. Torcellini laid out detail design specifications for a wide array of commercial buildings and cover requirements for 50% and 30% energy savings. The comprehensive list of buildings includes small and large hospitals and healthcare facilities, medium to big box retail establishments, small and medium office buildings, K-12 school buildings, small warehouses and self-storage facilities, and highway lodgings, among others.

The design guides also lay out a step-by-step process for increasing net energy conservation toward the creation of commercial buildings that achieve net zero energy consumption—which basically means that the buildings are able to produce as much or more energy than they consume. This breakthrough is achieved by providing buildings with on-site energy generation capabilities using renewable energy sources. Such improvements, it is expected, will greatly enhance the efficiency of power-hungry HVAC systems.

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Commercial HVAC Maintenance

Commercial HVAC is, in itself, its own league. Unlike residential HVAC, commercial heating and cooling units operate for longer periods in addition to enhancing indoor air quality for a much bigger area.

As the rule of thumb goes, the more frequent HVAC is used, the more frequent the maintenance it needs to keep it in tiptop shape. Studies show that cooling consumption alone in a business establishment can reach up to 3,000 kWh a week while the average home only uses around 940 kWh a month.

Commercial HVAC systems may undergo routine maintenance once every four months to a year. Given the size of a commercial HVAC system including the ducts and cooling towers, no amount of do-it-yourself work will come close to a thorough inspection, repair, and maintenance.

Property owners can keep their heating and cooling units in excellent running condition by contracting professional maintenance services. HVAC specialists can conduct a thorough inspection to determine what measures need to be taken to optimize heating and cooling for your business. They can ensure that your systems are calibrated according to manufacturer specifications and that there are no problems with your units that may turn into costly expenses in the long run.

Putting your commercial HVAC system in the hands of professionals is a must to maximize energy-efficiency and prolong service life. Ask your local contractor about commercial HVAC maintenance.

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Saving on Energy Costs

To maintain the comfort of customers and employees alike; the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems of commercial establishments are typically used day in and day out. Some business owners may be anxious about running the HVAC system all day long because of rising utility bills, but what really affects energy consumption is the condition of the equipment.

There are measures that allows the system to provide comfort without the excessive use of energy. The system can be set at least 1 point down, as long as the temperature is still comfortable for people to continue with their daily tasks. A 1°C difference can give an 8% reduction on the annual heating bill. Ventilation fans should not be running unless they are needed as this accounts for 30% of heat loss and wastes energy.

Proper maintenance is also another way to conserve energy. The simple act of cleaning heating and cooling systems can help save on energy consumption and can even ensure that utilities are in good working condition for a long time. Investing on routine maintenance of commercial HVAC systems can also help owners avoid further damages and costlier repairs. Like all machinery, a well-maintained HVAC system performs better and consumes less energy—definitely a good investment for commercial establishments.

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