The HVAC Factor: Energy Recovery Ventilation

By Stephen J. Pargeter
Originally published in the August 2012 issue of Today’s Facility Manager

Studies have proven that outdoor air ventilation creates a healthful work environment. However, as these intake rates increase, so does the size, cost, and operating expense of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Facility managers (fms) are therefore caught between two powerful forces—the need to lower energy costs and the need to meet or exceed outdoor air ventilation regulations for occupant health and comfort.

During the ventilation process, large amounts of energy are wasted as HVAC systems replace indoor air with fresh outdoor air multiple times per day. The heating or cooling energy is continually lost in the exhaust air stream while new energy must be expended to condition entering outdoor air. Those who fail to capture wasted energy will continue to incur high energy costs.

To address this challenge, one option for fms is a site recovered energy technology such as energy recovery ventilation (ERV). Site recovered energy is any energy recovered on-site and reused to reduce the demand for more energy. Designed to operate with new or existing HVAC units, the ERV technology provides a means to cut energy costs without compromising outdoor air ventilation requirements.

While there are a number of air-to-air heat exchangers used in ERV, the most commonly used type in commercial and institutional buildings is a rotary heat exchanger (also known as an energy recovery wheel or enthalpy wheel). This wheel resolves the conflict between indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy conservation by recovering site energy normally wasted in exhaust air. It transfers energy by rotating between incoming (outdoor) and exhaust air streams to transfer heat and moisture from one air stream to the other, recycling up to 80% of this energy by preconditioning outdoor air for significantly reduced HVAC load and operating cost.

Rotary heat exchanger

Total energy saved depends on the wheel’s effectiveness and the difference in temperature and humidity between the two air streams. A bigger differential means larger energy savings.
For new and replacement projects, energy recovery costs are typically offset by lower first costs for an HVAC system. And significant reductions in fuel consumption provide healthy returns for the life of the HVAC system—instant to two-year paybacks in most North American climate zones. An energy recovery wheel may also be added to an existing HVAC system to improve efficiency.
HVAC systems with ERV improve control over humidity to minimize mold and mildew and reduce the risk of IAQ complaints and sick building syndrome, especially in humid climates. Meanwhile, many gas and electric utilities offer rebates for energy recovery to reduce peak demand and encourage energy conservation.

Organizations Using ERV
To meet new building codes, Dillard’s, a large apparel and home furnishings retailer, sought to increase outdoor air ventilation rates by a factor of three at its store in Palm Beach, FL. The two story building required approximately 50,000 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of outdoor air. Rather than add capacity to meet the increased load, management at Dillard’s installed rooftop units with integrated energy recovery wheels. By reducing the load by 160 tons, the retailer was able to choose units with that much less capacity. And by reducing peak demand by 215 kilowatts (kW), the company qualified for utility rebates that effectively paid for the wheels. The use of ERV is now standard for all Dillard’s stores.

Another example of this technology involves a major renovation at the Providence Career and Technical Academy (PCTA) in Providence, RI. The engineering team there chose to install a dual temperature, two pipe HVAC system with energy recovery wheels to maintain control of humidity during the shoulder season. The improved efficiency has yielded an estimated savings of $28,000 per year.

Another ERV adopter is the Eddy Village Green in Cohoes, NY, a nursing home complex of 16 housing units, each with 12 bedrooms. Each of those units has a 13 ton HVAC system with an integrated energy recovery wheel that supplies 3,500 cfm of outside air. In addition to an estimated upfront combined savings of $20,208 from installing smaller packaged units, the facility hopes to recover an estimated ongoing savings of $23,168 based on local utility rates.

Evaluating ERV Systems
Fms who are interested in finding out about the potential of ERV can begin by looking for the following characteristics in a system. These include products that feature:

• rating and certification by the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI);
• high humidity (not just heat) transfer capability;
• easy accessibility and cleaning; and
• performance modeling software.

Fms should also look for established providers of these systems. Most mainstream HVAC equipment manufacturers offer energy recovery wheel options for new or existing applications.
The energy demand posed by outdoor air ventilation requirements is a pressing issue among fms eager to save money while still providing clean, healthy buildings. Energy recovery wheels offer a way to cut energy costs and supply ample outdoor air ventilation while also garnering a high return on investment.

Pargeter is vice president, Product Engineering, at Airxchange, a Rockland, MA manufacturer of energy recovery wheels. He holds a BSc (Honors) degree in Production Engineering and Production Management and has served on the board of directors of the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

Air Conditioner Shortage In The Valley?

Is it true that there is an air conditioner shortage in the San Fernando Valley? We sent our reporters out to investigate the rumor.

Our first stop was to find out what company makes the most reliable Air Conditioning unit. We know that homeowners in the San Fernando Valley are smart enough to want the very best. The most trusted  independent rating magazine surveyed over 30,000 property owners and hands down the most reliable brand of home Air Conditioning equipment was American Standard.

The manufacturer's top American Standard air conditioner dealer in the San Fernando Valley, Kilowatt is located in Sherman Oaks right where the 101 meets Sepulveda.  We stopped by their cheerful office building to chat with owner Dean Gilford. "It's been over 100 degrees in the Valley every day this week," Dean said. "So people panic a little when their AC shuts down. They worry that there might not be enough product to supply all the extra demand when it gets this hot."

Dean assured us that there is no shortage of AC units. Just to prove that there was nothing to worry about we went to the warehouse in Van Nuys where hundreds of air conditioning units wait to be installed in homes throughout the Valley and Los Angeles.

 

Over the next few months Kilowatt will expertly install these air conditioners in homes and businesses from Malibu to Glendale. So rest assured that the Los Angeles air conditioning supply chain is in tact and ready to fill the needs of our healthy, happy communities.

Can next-gen building materials cut HVAC?

What if your building could regulate it's own temperature?

Smart-building materials have come a long way in the last decade: They're less toxic, more durable and more energy efficient than their predecessors. But the smartest materials available today still can't accomplish something that even the most primitive life forms can do -- keep their internal environment stable as outside conditions change.
It's called homeostasis. Healthy humans, for example, maintain body heat of about 98.6 degrees as outside temperatures vary, manage their oxygen and carbon-dioxide levels and also keep their blood pressures, salt and sugar contents from falling too low or climbing too high. Even amoebas maintain their osmotic pressure at a livable rate. And cells in all living organisms manage their levels of ATP, the substance that enables the production and flow of energy internally from one set of biochemical reactions to another.
"If you look at living organisms, one of the most basic things they can all do is regulate their own internal conditions," says Ximin He, a post-doctorate fellow at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Hansjorg Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. "It's how organisms survive in different seasons and face the constant challenges life throws at them," she says.
Now researchers at Harvard University and the University of Pittsburgh hope to create a new class of materials that can do the same thing. After about two years of research, the scientists have come up with a platform for creating materials that can self-regulate many different factors, including temperature, light, pressure or pH balance. And they've already invented one prototype: a thin water-based gel, or hydrogel, that automatically heats up when it's cold (and stops heating when it isn't) to maintain a constant temperature.
The research, unveiled in Nature in July, could have huge implications for smart buildings in Los Angeles. If future building materials could control their own temperatures, they might be able to eliminate the need for air conditioning and heating. Given that buildings account for nearly 39 percent of the U.S. energy use -- and heating, ventilation and air conditioning make up 64 percent of that 39 percent -- such a feat could significantly cut energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions.
It could also win these materials a piece of the booming sustainable-building market. Santa Monica, Calif.-based research firm IBISWorld expects the U.S. market will total $20.6 billion this year, up 7.3 percent from 2007, and reach $45.2 billion in five years.

For more info regarding energy efficient HVAC technology check out Jennifer Kho

Can You Handle the Heat? 10 Cool Tips

Everyone wants to stay cool when the temperatures are oppressive. People with certain medical conditions, like asthma, allergies, heart issues, the elderly and the very young can find themselves in distress when it gets too hot. Keeping as cool as possible in the summer heat can be a major factor in staying healthy as well as comfortable. We can't always be in places that have air conditioning installed. Sometimes we have use our heads to stay cool. Here are 10 good tips to staying healthy and comfortable in the hot weather coming this week.

1.  Stay damp, sweating helps keep you cool. Another way to stay cool is to spray yourself with a spray bottle filled with cold water. If you do that and sit in front of a fan, it has a cooling effect just like when you sweat.

2. Wear proper clothing. Wearing light colors reflects light where dark colors absorb. Lighter colors will keep you cooler. Light fabrics like cotton can breathe and help to keep you cool as well.

3. Turn off things that you don’t need that generate heat. Phone chargers don’t need to be plugged in if the phone is not charging. Unplug anything with a clock, not only does it use electricity when turned off, it also generates heat. Computers generate a lot of heat. Shut down your computer if you are not using it. Your microwave has a clock on it. That also generates heat. Dust busters or other small appliances sitting in a charger generate heat. If your coffee maker has a clock on it, that generates heat as well.

4. Stay downstairs if possible. A basement is always cooler than the rest of the house because heat rises. Normally a basement is about five to 10 degrees cooler than the other floors of a house.

5. Spicy food can make you feel cooler. Most countries where spicy food is a staple (Mexico, India, etc.) are countries with warmer climates. Eating spicy food and then producing sweat helps cool down your body. Don’t forget to stay hydrated when you are doing a lot of sweating. Dehydration can bring its own set of health problems

6. Soak your feet in a baby pool or bucket of water (don’t do it in the sun, if possible). If you are inside, a cat litter box or bucket filled with cold water has a drastic effect on your body. You can even put a chair next to your tub and soak your feet there. If you are able to have a baby pool outside, that works great too. Just having your feet wet will make your entire body feel more comfortable. This works for dogs too! Some dogs will actually lie down in the pool, where others will just stand in the cool water.

7. Freeze bottles full of water. You can use the frozen bottles (plastic bottles only) to hold behind your neck to cool you off. You can also drink them as they start to melt. Remember to put more bottles in the freezer as you are using them so you always have a supply of frozen bottles. Keep air circulating, draw the blinds. Fans will help cool you off. Even the little hand-held, battery operated fans can have a cooling feeling. There are some little fans that mist you with water, like item number one on this list, to help make you feel cooler.

8. Do exercise during the cooler hours. Exercising in the early morning or evening is much easier during the hotter months of the year. You will have more energy and be able to exercise longer if you are not as hot.

9. Eat cool foods instead of cooking. Salads, fresh fruit and cheese are great options for the summer. Keeping that oven turned off will go a long way to keeping your home cooler.Run the dishwasher and/or dryer during cooler hours of the day. Any appliances will give off heat, even the microwave. If you do need to run these appliances, again, try doing it at night when it is cooler. Or go out while the dishwasher is running, leaving the exhaust fan on in the kitchen, to remove the hot air.

10. That brings us to the last thing, which is to go somewhere cooler. If you have chores to do, do it when the day is at its hottest. Malls, grocery stores, movie theaters, banks and just about any other business will have air conditioning in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Leaving your home when it is at its hottest and going back when it is cooler seems like common sense, but you don’t always think clearly when it is so hot!

Los Angeles Takes The Heat!

Triple Digit Temperatures Hit Southern California

Numerous heat advisories have been issued for Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley this summer. With temperatures reaching triple digits residents are asked to look out for elderly neighbors, vulnerable to Heat Illness.

With the downturn in the economy still affecting property owners many L.A. homeowners have let the maintenance on their HVAC systems lapse. This can lead to system failure, and during this scorching hot weather with high levels of humidity a broken AC system can cause serious health problems.

Local Heating and Air Conditioning Company, Kilowatt, is offering special savings to help Los Angeles residents survive the heat.

Kilowatt is offering numerous ways for Los Angeles homeowners to save on new or replacement Air Conditioning systems installed including 0% financing, Energy Star rebates and government incentives worth hundreds of dollars, government tax credits, manufacturers incentives and energy savings. All told Los Angeles residents can save thousands of dollars installing energy efficient equipment. Dean Gilford is a reputable licenced Los Angeles air conditioning contractor who is committed to helping local property owners understand all the different savings available to them.
"Helping people install the right equipment for the best possible price is a passion for me," explains Dean. "My customers have saved thousands of dollars with the terrific energy efficient equipment available now."

Kilowatt is located in the heart of Sherman Oaks and for 22 years has been providing A+ rated guaranteed air conditioning service to Los Angeles residents, helping neighbors stay cool in triple digit weather! Below are some important tips for staying safe and healthy during the heat wave.

How to Combat Heat Stress

Adequate hydration is the most important step to combating heat stress. When the heat index is high, stay properly hydrated. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink; if you are thirsty you may already have lost 2% of your body's water. The onset of heat exhaustion can begin after losing 3% of the body's water and heat stroke occurs once 8% is lost.

WARNING SIGN: If you are not urinating regularly or have dark urine, you may be dehydrated and at risk for heat illnesses!

Rest in a cool environment. Take fluids and salty foods or an electrolyte solution such as sports drinks.

Los Angeles Opens Emergency Cooling Centers

To provide relief from the heat for the elderly and others who face heat-related health difficulties and stress, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will open cooling centers throughout Los Angeles County, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. A list of the location and times of operation of the 55 cooling stations in Los AngelesCounty can be accessed by dialing 2-1-1.

Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst.

The Department of Public Health recommends several ways to manage the heat:

• Never leave children, elderly people, or pets alone in a parked vehicle.
• Wear light, loose fitting clothing to stay cool
• Drink water often. Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Check on those in your neighborhood who have limited mobility.
• Stay in an air-conditioned area during peak heat hours such as a mall, park, or library.
• Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. When in the sun, wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim.
• Don’t exercise vigorously outside during the hottest hours of the day

Always use a licensed and insured Air Conditioning Contractor in Los Angeles.

A Million Thanks

We are pleased to announce that Kilowatt Electric, Heating and Air Conditioning in Sherman Oaks is an official drop-off location for A Million Thanks. If you want to write a note of appreciation to a wounded veteran or an active duty soldier, Kilowatt will make sure it gets into the right hands.

A Million Thanks is a year-round campaign to show our appreciation for our U.S. Military Men and Women, past and present, for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to our country through our letters, emails, cards, and prayers. www.amillionthanks.org

Kilowatt's location is easy to get to right on Sepulveda at the 101 Freeway.

Please spread the word!

Stay Cool For Less This Summer

What you can do NOW to avoid costly air conditioning problems

There’s GOLD in them there air conditioning systems!

“Gold?” you ask. “Are there air conditioner thieves about?”
 

“Relax,” I say. “Settle down.” I’m not talking suburban pirates—no need to bolt your compressor to the ground or build bunkers around your ventilation ducts. I’m talking about the safe, shiny gold of savings.

The treasure in your AC system will leak out if you don’t lock it down—it’s up to you to guard it. Good property managers know how to mine the savings from their AC systems: regularly scheduled maintenance by qualified service technicians.

You’ve probably heard the old homeowner riddle:

When is SPENDING money also SAVING money?

When you spend it on AC maintenance!

Cars need oil changes, gardens need weeding, and AC systems need tune-ups. Now is the perfect time to schedule a preventive checkup—before summer hits. If your equipment hasn’t had regular maintenance, odds are you’ll be blowing a lot of hot air soon. 

Proper maintenance prevents problems and saves money.

Every AC repairman knows that the number one cause of cooling system failure is a lack of regular maintenance. And every manufacturer, utility company, and consumer protection group—even the Environmental Protection Association— recommends regular service of your HVAC system, no matter how old the system is.

Benefits of servicing your HVAC system:

• SAFETY – Inspection of electrical and chemical connections, exhaust systems, and drains which can become clogged with mold or algae.
• FEWER REPAIRS – A professional technician nips problems in the bud before they need costly repairs.
• SERVICE SAVINGS – If repairs are needed, most AC contractors offer a discount to their maintenance customers.
• WARRANTY PAYOUTS – Manufacturers currently offer 12-year warranties on their equipment, as long as regular maintenance has been performed.
• ENERGY SAVINGS – A dirty filter can increase energy costs by 50% and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.
• EXTENDED EQUIPMENT LIFE – Many properly maintained air conditioning systems run for 30 years or more.
• PRIORITY CUSTOMER STATUS – Most air conditioning contractors give priority to customers who commit to a maintenance program. When it's 110 degrees and the phones are ringing off the hook, maintenance customers are taken care of first.

There is no better way to protect your investment in heating and air conditioning than regular system maintenance.

Maintenance Checklist

What should you expect from your spring and fall checkups? An air conditioning service technician should take all of the following steps:

• Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system will keep you comfortable when you are home and save energy while you are away.
• Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
• Lubricate all moving parts. Operating motors with insufficient lubrication causes friction and uses more electricity.
• Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A clogged drain can cause water damage in your house, affect indoor humidity levels, and cause mold to grow.
• Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the equipment’s starting cycle to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
• Clean the evaporator and the condenser’s air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce a system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
• Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient.
• Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15%.
• Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this.

Most responsible air conditioning companies use a checklist that they will be happy to show you.

If you protect your AC system, it will protect you. Schedule an air conditioner maintenance appointment before it’s too late!