Jiajun Liao, PhD, CEM, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Retro Commissioning Project Manager, contributed to the ASHRAE technical paper, “Application of VFDs to Multiple Pump Sizes in HVAC Systems.” Variable-frequency drives (VFDs) have been widely applied to chilled-water pumps and heating hot-water pumps to meet variable loads in building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. […]
Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 5.2 OWNERS OFTEN ASK that engineers specify what a “building automation system shall be capable of” in terms of operations or performance. But just because a building’s automation system is capable of doing something, doesn’t necessarily ensure that a particular operation will actually be properly utilized (if utilized at all) once […]
Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 6.1 Companies that get serious about improving sustainability soon discover there is always something else to do to achieve greater efficiencies. They quickly learn that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Spectrum Properties | Emery has taken this message to heart, leading the charge in the Southeast for ongoing sustainable […]
Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 5.4 WITH FUEL PRICES RISING, ENERGY EFFICIENCY HAS BEEN TOP-OF-MIND FOR FACILITY MANAGERS. And, state and nationwide energy-saving programs, mandates and incentives have increased dramatically. These include increasingly stringent energy codes and standards, green building rating systems, federal tax deductions, numerous state-or utility-specific rebates and incentives, building labeling programs, and more. All […]
Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 5.3 WORKING AS A TEAM EARLIER IN THE DESIGN PROCESS FOSTERS CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING Buildings are tremendously complex. Even the simplest facilities require a highly trained team of professionals for their design, construction, and eventually, operation. It is amazing that many buildings are ever built, considering the necessary financing, land acquisition, code […]
Improvements in analytical testing methods and concerns over micro-constituents and emerging contaminants are continuing to drive changes in federal drinking water standards. As this happens, the use of broad-spectrum treatment techniques, like activated carbon, will continue to grow. The use of activated carbon in treating potable water is not new. In fact, historical evidence indicates […]
Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 5.1 Continuous Commissioning® can generate additional energy savings for a building, even after a full Retro-commissioning process. The LEED-EB Gold certified Caterpillar Financial Center in Nashville, Tenn. underwent both the Retro-commissioning and Continuous Commissioning® processes, and is now on track for a payback of less than two years for cost versus […]
Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 4.2 “THE INTENT OF THE STIMULUS BILL is to start construction as soon as possible on ‘shovel ready’ projects so that unemployed workers are put back on the job,” said Donoho. So far SSR has been selected to provide Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) oversight for a bridge-replacement project in Carter […]
Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 4.1 Based on the growth of Greenbuild, and the number of LEED registrations last year, I think we are beginning to see the long awaited market transformation. We have certainly demonstrated that there is a better way of doing things when it comes to building design, construction and operations. Market transformation […]
This paper includes energy benchmarking uses, metrics, tools, operational differences and efficiencies, early benchmarking pitfalls, fuel cost variances, dashboard reporting, multi-year trending analyses, load profiling, utility rates; weather and campus growth impacts on both energy index and utility index, similar/dissimilar facilities, and the pros and cons of the US-DOE CBECS databases. Also included are load […]
The City of Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department (MWSD) currently operates a 15.6 MGD Lime Softening/Mixed Media Filtration plant to provide drinking water to its approximately 25,000 customers. Although the plant has operated well over the last 40 years, increasing tight regulations coupled with concerns over aging filtration underdrains motivated City personnel to consider alternative […]
Last year was the biggest year so far for green building. This is especially true in the commercial sector, where for the first time Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) registered floor area is expected to exceed the total floor area of new construction starts. 2009 was also the year where the House of […]
