Dominion Power Rebate Program for Commercial HVAC Systems

Your contractor must be on Dominion’s approved contractor list. The performance of each contractor and project will be closely monitored. Please allow for multiple visits by Dominion’s personnel and a third party Measurement and Verification (M&V) contractor. Local governments do not qualify. Customers with single meter loads greater than 10 megawatts do not qualify. Dominion has $30 million dedicated to this program. Although it sounds like...

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NOTES FROM AN AEE/NCC TOUR OF A LOCAL POWER PLANT

Gas turbine generators also add to the viability of wind and solar power generation. Conventional power plants use fossil fuels to fire boilers which create steam to drive the generators. Boiler plants can take one to two days to bring on line and do not handle fluctuations in load very well. Nuclear plants are also best run at a steady load. Gas turbines can be brought on line in a little as 15 minutes and easily modulate to handle the load fluctuations...

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Troubleshooting a Broken Thermostat

The thermostat serves as the control center for an HVAC system. When it goes bad, the entire unit follows suit. When the entire HVAC system doesn’t seem to budge, a damaged thermostat is one of the most likely causes. Here are a few troubleshooting tips. The thermostat must be installed in the proper location. Owners need to ensure that the thermostat is installed in the correct place; for instance, a thermostat installed on a wall with high heat gain or heat loss will never work properly as it will mainly react to the temperature of the wall...

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A Brief History of HVAC Systems

HVAC doesn’t always mean air conditioning. In fact, the acronym stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning”, which covers everything related to controlling thermal comfort. HVAC systems have come a long way since their inception, and this blog post will delve into several main points of HVAC history. 1000s-1400s – During this period, the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, and Indians all churned up pioneering heating and cooling solutions. One notable invention was the Roman hypocaust, which is a central heating system consisted...

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Serious Commercial HVAC Epidemics: Gone Underground or Gone for Good?

The term “building related illness” grew in use during the 1990s, starting with the sick building syndrome (SBS). Workers exhibit signs of dizziness, fatigue, and skin problems, among others, in the workplace for reasons unknown. The odd thing about SBS is that afflicted workers claim relief the moment they step out of the workplace.Twenty years later, SBS has disappeared from media as mysteriously as it appeared back then. New indoor air quality (IAQ) standards and commercial HVAC equipment improved the working conditions a great deal, reducing...

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Installing Commercial HVAC Systems Needs Some Serious Heavyweights

Contractors like the Altus Corporation often use heavy machinery to hoist HVAC units to the roofs of commercial buildings. A helicopter may be a bit overboard, but there’s nothing wrong with it as long as it gets the job done. Cranes are the common choice for the job, their arms reaching up to almost 30 stories high.Why can’t good commercial air conditioners be like their lighter residential siblings? The answer lies in their purpose.As commercial HVAC systems need to heat or cool a wider area (supermarkets, workshops, and offices), they require...

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Facts about Commercial HVAC Maintenance

Property managers should see to it that they know just about every aspect of what makes the inner workings of their commercial buildings function properly, and a large part of that job is maintaining the HVAC system. Air conditioners and heating equipment can be quite troublesome, so it’s always important to keep these facts and tips in mind when dealing with them: Get Professional Help Don’t even try to DIY any problem with your HVAC that you know couldn’t simply be fixed with a mere adjustment in the thermostat or temperature control. These...

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The Value of an HVAC Professional

If you’re like many property owners, you probably have a commercial contractor that your rely on for any and all servicing that your property needs. For basic construction repairs to plumbing issues, this arrangement will do just fine. However, when it comes to your HVAC system, only the expertise of a true HVAC specialist will do. There are a few reasons why this is s...

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A Look at When to Change Your HVAC Unit

As a business owner, you cannot possibly expect good results if your employees are not comfortable enough to focus on their jobs and responsibilities. This is why an HVAC system is important for businesses, especially if the majority of your employees work inside a building and are in front of a computer screen from nine to five. However, just like any other type of machinery, HVAC units will eventually malfunction. While most errors can be repaired by a trusted contractor, it is important for business owners to decide whether to call it quits...

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Is It Time to Integrate Commercial HVAC, Lighting, and Electronics?

What can integrating three of the most energy-hungry aspects of commercial operations bring in a world that’s increasingly stringent about efficiency?The “Big Three” of commercial operations—HVAC, lighting, and electronics—account for almost 70 percent of a commercial building’s energy requirements. These modern-day conveniences are nothing short of necessities for a conducive and productive work environment.Quality commercial HVAC repair and maintenance can indeed help lower energy costs. At the same time, many businesses want to make the most...

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Installing HVAC for Warehouses

Every company’s complex or industrial estate will have at least one warehouse within the premises. The place can be used to store predetermined products or simply to add some office space. However, the demands of activities inside the building will warrant extensive solutions for installing HVAC systems. When the warehouse is, say, several years old and fans are the only air circulation systems you see inside, you may want to invest in something newer. Your team must define the objective for setting up the HVAC system– and most of the time, they...

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Never Call a Residential Technician to Repair Commercial HVAC Systems

One of the major red flags Union-Bulletin writer Sheila Hagar pointed out involved the inspection process. A local appraisal company recommended a home inspection company to search every nook and cranny of the building for problems, which the county hired. However, county officials failed to realize that residential and light/heavy commercial HVAC systems are different.According to Michael J. Brandemuehl, professor and Professional Engineer from the University of Colorado Boulder, commercial heating and cooling systems have more hardware in place...

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Indicators that HVAC Maintenance Is Necessary

One more season to go and it’s summer again. The smell of the beach is getting more fragrant to vacationers. However, for office workers who are not going on a vacation anytime soon, this could mean additional stress as heat can worsen their working condition. Fortunately, with a fully functioning cooling system, any job in summer won’t be too hard to take on. No wonder business owners invest in regular HVAC maintenance. They don’t want their employees to suffer while working, which could affect their productivity. Before calling in experts,...

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Storm Winds, Hail, and Lightning Could Damage Commercial HVAC Systems

Powerful storms can easily wreak havoc in any given area. Strong winds, lightning bolts, and hailstones can all contribute to property damage. Unfortunately, Mississippi residents are expected to face poor weather conditions—and the possibility of damage—by the first week of April.Most commercial HVAC units are situated on the roof of a building, leaving them vulnerable to hailstorms. One of the more common signs of hail-damaged air conditioning systems is bent condenser fins.Fins that have been bent to roughly ¼ to 3/8 inches deep are usually...

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Warm Weather Marks Inspection Time for Commercial HVAC Systems in TN

The warmer weather should be well-received in the area, especially after a seemingly endless and unprecedented winter. The favorable weather conditions are sure to encourage people to spend time under the sun and enjoy the warmth on their skin. However, as the temperatures eventually become warmer, they are also sure to send people back inside their homes or into the malls to seek refuge from the heat.Fully-functional commercial air conditioners are noisy machines, constantly blaring a loud whirring sound. This noise is completely normal and should...

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Tips When Buying HVAC for Your Business

One of the vital factors that determine the success of a business like restaurants and malls is the level of comfort they provide their customers and employees. When you talk about indoor comfort, a huge responsibility lies on how efficient your commercial HVAC systems are. If you are upgrading your old cooling and heating systems, keep these simple tips in mind in order to make the right purchas...

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Up-to-date Commercial HVAC System Will Help Avoid Heat Wave Problems

An urban environment only exacerbates high temperatures with its lack of natural foliage and other things that may help people cool down. Thus the primary way for people to keep cool are through the commercial HVAC systems in their buildings. Lacking them only increases their chances of suffering a heat stroke.A trusted commercial HVAC service can help make sure that a building’s HVAC systems are up-to-date, ensuring that no breakdowns or malfunctions happen even on the hottest of days. Altus Mechanical and other dependable HVAC providers should...

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Rising Natural Gas Prices Demands Efficient Commercial HVAC Systems

Heating up a home or a place of business often depends on natural gas. The above price surge means that the cold snap made it more costly for households to keep warm on cold nights and even days. Commercial heating and cooling systems are even more susceptible to this price increase because of the often large facilities that they have to handle.The key to saving money in the face of future harsh weather is to have efficient commercial HVAC systems. Well-maintained heating systems make sure that gas is well-spent and not wasted. Regular maintenance...

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DOE Wants to Help You Improve Your Commercial HVAC Systems Efficiency

Our AEE chapter meeting in January was the kick off meeting for the George Washington University’s new student chapter. The speaker was Ms. Karen Butler, EPA’s National Manager Commercial Building Design Initiative – Energy Star.As you might imagine, EPA’s interest in efficient building design and operation is to promote the reduction of energy consumption and the avoidance of the pollution that results from producing the unnecessary energy. The ‘Target Finder Tool’ is part of the EPA’s ‘Energy Star Portfolio’ a collection of no cost, on line tools...

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Variable Frequency Drives in Single Zone Rooftop HVAC Units as Installed by Commercial HVAC Contractors

It is our understanding that VFDs are now required in single zone units in California and that other states may follow. ASHRAE standard 90.1-2010 requires VFDs in single zone, direct expansion (DX) units with cooling capacities of greater than 9.1 tons. If you are not familiar with the term, DX units are your typical package rooftop units which have internal compressors. ASHRAE standard 18931-2009 also requires VFDs in single zone DX units with cooling capacities of greater than 9.1 tons and, in addition, two stages of cooling in units with cooling...

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Benefits of HVAC Maintenance for Businesses

The recent American cold wave has affected a lot of American cities. The record low temperatures and high levels of snowfall has affected education, services and transportation. The extreme weather reminded a lot of communities of the importance of heat in people’s lives. Heat is usually provided to homes and buildings by furnaces and similar heating systems. Like a lot of other machines, however, furnaces tend to malfunction after a certain period of time. This is the reason why HVAC maintenance is required for both commercial and residential...

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Air Conditioners for Human Comfort & Efficiency

Air conditioners are a must-have among many office spaces and commercial buildings. This is especially true of areas whose temperatures are too high for comfort. An article on Bright Hub Engineering lists common sources of rising temperatures. The sun is the major cause of heat generation inside the room of an office or a building. Sun rays enter the room through the roof, walls, and windows of the building which results in the generation of heat within the room. Other sources of generated heat are electrical and electronic appliances...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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