Building automation system controls within your facility play an important role in saving energy and creating a comfortable and productive building environment. To optimize savings and comfort, you must regularly recalibrate sensors and controls to match changing weather and operating conditions. Spring is the perfect time to retune your building. Here’s how.
Ask the right questions
Key questions to ask in order maximize energy savings and occupant comfort include:
- Are building sensors calibrated and operating according to specifications?
- Do building equipment schedules reflect occupancy and seasonal changes?
- Are damper and valve controls functioning properly?
- Can we schedule some equipment to operate during off-peak hours?
- Are there any leaks in the pneumatic control systems?
- Can we adjust temperatures to save energy after hours?
- Does the supply of hot water match daily consumption patterns?
With these questions answered, you'll be better prepared to ensure your building operates efficiently.
Line things up
The first step to tune up controls is to align the indoor and outdoor building sensors. Calibrate room thermostats, duct thermostats, humidistats and pressure and temperature sensors in accordance with original design specifications. Calibrating occupancy sensors and lighting controls can reduce lighting system energy use 10% or more.
Inspect damper and valve controls to make sure they function properly.
- Check pneumatically controlled dampers for leaks in the compressed air hose lines.
- Make sure dampers open and close properly; stiff dampers can result in too much or too little outside air.
Adjusting dampers can help lower HVAC energy usage.
Maintaining building controls often requires specialized skills and equipment, such as computer software. Have a qualified technician who has experience with energy management systems inspect and calibrate your building controls.
Keep up with the times
Review your current operating schedules. Although control schedules remain constant, occupancy schedules typically change frequently over the year. This can result in wasted energy and reduced occupant comfort.
Adjust HVAC controls to maintain a comfortable environment during occupied hours. For example, thermostats and other building control settings should reflect higher outdoor temperatures and humidity levels, increased daylight hours and other changing operating conditions.
It's also important to review your rate schedules. Electric rates are different for on-peak and off-peak hours. If possible, schedule equipment to run during less costly off-peak hours. For some buildings, precooling strategies may be beneficial.
Saving energy and money
Although results vary according to facility type and condition, geographic location and other factors, savings for a well-tuned building control system can range up to 30% of annual HVAC costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To optimize savings, add building control inspection and adjustment to your maintenance schedule this spring and regularly throughout the year.
If you want to save even more, find energy efficiency rebates and incentives that are good for the grid and great for your bottom line.