Benefits of working with HVAC design experts
In addition to design and analysis tools, another important step aiding engineers and building owners in selecting the most appropriate HVAC system is tapping into the knowledge and expertise of manufacturer experts who work with various systems and bring focused knowledge when judging which will be most appropriate for a specific application.
Working together with engineers and owners on a project, HVAC manufacturer applications experts can provide leadership and expertise in mechanical system’s design and evolving code requirements and standards. Involved in a multitude of projects and a myriad of applications all across the country, such experts have unique perspectives to make recommendations based on collective experiences and best practices.
HVAC applications experts can also help identify how changes in building usage and needs may affect performance in the future, and how best to provide and implement a resilient design. They bring a deep understanding in applying various technologies to projects. From high-level scoping tools, to more detailed analysis tools and building energy simulation, applications experts can assist with evaluation of technology options at any point in the design process—and then help customers use those tools.
System expertise
With evolving customer needs, it is often hard to navigate through the broad range of varying technologies that can provide individual benefits but may not work well together. The deep understanding and expertise in using various technologies is another benefit HVAC manufacturer applications experts bring to a project. They can help building owners achieve energy savings without spending money in unnecessary ways.
For example, heat recovery and variable-speed drives on centrifugal chillers are two technologies offering significant value to customers. However, they are two technologies that do not pair well together. Variable-speed drives improve centrifugal chiller performance when condenser temperatures can be reduced, but heat recovery applications typically demand higher condenser temperatures. Therefore, these two energy-saving technologies tend to ‘fight’ each other.
Not all system experts have the same level of industry expertise, knowledge, and leadership. This is another consideration to keep in mind when choosing a manufacturer’s system applications expert as a design partner for a project. To identify a trusted expert, it is important to look for engineers that focus on HVAC systems and their application as a core part of their job, that frequently work with consulting engineers, and are respected, active participants in non-profit industry associations like ASHRAE.
Who can benefit?
Working with HVAC system design experts can bring value to projects of all types and sizes. Generally, more sophisticated systems—like those found in healthcare and industrial applications—receive the most value and return on investment (ROI) from leveraging experts. In one recent example, a hospital located in a northern climate was planning to replace four old air-cooled chillers in an effort to improve system efficiency.
In the first phase, the hospital was replacing two of the chillers with higher-efficiency models equipped with variable-speed drives. Working with an HVAC manufacturer applications expert led the hospital to be open to exploring thermal energy storage as a technology to reduce the demand-based portion of their utility bill.
After studying various options, the hospital arrived at a solution using two smaller air-cooled chillers paired with nine ice storage tanks. This earned the hospital a $332,000 utility rebate and resulted in a projected $65,000 annual utility bill savings. The plant was also designed for an easy chiller and ice tank expansion for the second phase of the plan.
In another recent example, an industrial operation in a southern climate was planning to perform a regular overhaul shutdown of their production line. Process cooling is a fundamental part of the production line—operating continuously and thereby requiring constant cooling. The company was looking for opportunities to make changes to reduce energy use during its short shutdown period.
Cooling towers simultaneously supplied water of a constant temperature directly to a process for cooling and to the condensers of chillers providing additional process cooling. The ability to supply an optimized water temperature to the chiller condensers would reduce the system energy use, but the direct process cooling needs could not accept a varying water temperature.
Capital was tight, and after studying various options, they arrived at a cost-effective solution that separated the direct cooling system from the chiller-heat-rejection system, allowing independent temperature control of each heat rejection system. As a result, the chilled water system was able to realize the benefits of optimized control of its condenser water temperature without compromising other parts of the process. This solution was a result of detailed discussions with the chiller manufacturer’s system experts.
However, the efficiencies and benefits that HVAC manufacturer system experts can offer are not limited solely to large systems. They also have expertise helpful with packaged solutions for smaller applications.
