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Current category: Energy Management In heating and air conditioning units, motors generally have two speeds – they’re either full speed or stopped. To get an idea of what this means, it’s similar to driving your car by alternating between flooring the gas pedal and slamming on the brakes. In addition to being an enormous waste of energy, it’s also Continue reading Smart Motors — Saving Energy by Running Motors Smart Instead of Hard I was recently interviewed on a local AM Radio Show, hosted by Tech Angel Pam Viveiros from ThinkTech Computers to discuss technology in the field of HVAC. I listened to the recording of the broadcast – I had to, because I was so nervous I didn’t remember what I’d said – and couldn’t help but Continue reading A Day in the Life of a Building Automation System Energy accounts for about 30% of operating costs for a building, according to the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). The total energy consumption for the month accounts for the major part of the energy expenses, but it is only part of the picture. Depending upon how you use energy, a Demand Charge could be a Continue reading Understanding Your Energy Bill Part #3 — Strategies for Reducing Demand Charges As if it isn’t confusing enough that electric utilities charge delivery charges and generation charges, they also have a funky little thing on business energy bills called a Demand Charge. What ARE all of these charges? And how do you make them go away? Every utility has their own billing format and pricing structure. The most Continue reading Understanding Your Energy Bill Part #2 –- What are Demand Charges Anyway? Having just launched our Energy WatchDog Program, I’ve had the…well I don’t want to say pleasure but let’s call it opportunity…to become familiar with energy metrics – kilowatts and kilowatt-hours and the like. Personally I would like to have words with the person who invented the term “kilowatt-hour” as it does not necessarily refer to Continue reading Understanding Your Energy Bill Part #1 — Why Don’t They Write Energy Bills in English? As controls systems age, they can start misbehaving. Because controls systems rely on computer software as well as electronic hardware, they are subject to glitches and performance problems for a whole host of reasons. Sometimes a simple upgrade can resolve issues, other times these glitches are symptoms of bigger problems and an overhaul is your Continue reading When Controls Systems Misbehave –- When to Replace an HVAC Controls System A well-maintained HVAC controls system can last anywhere from 10-20 years, depending on the type of system and its capacity. Controls are extremely powerful tools that will quickly pay for themselves and provide years of energy savings, but they must be selected carefully, used and maintained properly to get that payback. Continue reading How to Get the Most Out of Your HVAC Controls System Rebate programs, at least in the HVAC industry, tend to be cyclical. As prices fluctuate, rebate programs respond, but usually with some delay. During the cycle, there are times when prices have dropped, but the rebate programs haven’t caught up yet. This sweet spot in the cycle is when you can really make a rebate Continue reading Rebates for High Efficiency HVAC Units — Hype or Real Savings? Tighten your belt on energy spending. If you want to cut costs – and in this economy, who doesn’t – you have to know what your costs are, right? Did you know that energy accounts for almost one-third of a typical building’s operating costs? Because energy savings go straight to the bottom line and can Continue reading Can an Energy Benchmark Save you Money? Advance Air & Heat is now a Certified Vykon Systems Integrator (VSI), so we can now help translate. Advance Air technician Frank Tavares recently passed the rigorous training requirements to become certified as a Vykon Systems Integrator, allowing Advance Air to service, install and support all Tridium Niagara Building Automation Controls and Technologies. Advance Air is now Continue reading Are Your Building Automation Systems Having Difficulty Communicating? |
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