BUILDING MINIMALLY OCCUPIED BUT ENERGY USAGE NOT GOING DOWN MUCH?
If a building is minimally occupied but its energy use doesn't go down much, why might that be? Technicians can check these areas: Setpoints. Is the building using setbacks for unoccupied operating hours? Check the temperature setpoints and schedules, both occupied and unoccupied. Equipment loads. Is equipment plugged in that should be shutting down or going into sleep mode that isn't? Check copie [...]
FEDERATED INSURANCE PRESENTS ANNUAL ACCA SUPER S.T.A.R AWARD TO BOB McHOLLAND OF UNITED MECHANICAL CORPORATION
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) recently announced that Bob McHolland of United Mechanical Corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the recipient of Federated Insurance’s ACCA Super S.T.A.R. Award. Each year, ACCA Corporate Partner Federated Mutual Insurance Company recognizes an ACCA member who represents the four components of the award: safety, teamwork, accountability, a [...]
ASHRAE AND UNCC COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING HOSTING A JOB FAIR
On April 27, 2021, the Southern Piedmont Chapter of ASHRAE and the William States Lee College of Engineering are hosting a Job Fair at the new Marriott on the campus of UNC Charlotte. This will be a chance for your company to see hundreds of engineering students from UNC Charlotte and other UNC System schools. TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE http://www.spashrae.com/event-4248573 There is a limit of 30 co [...]
ARE YOU MEASURING THE RIGHT IAQ PARAMETERS?
To provide healthy ventilation, your building must meet science-based standards for IAQ or you are not doing enough to guard against viral transmission. Per a recent article in Buildings magazine by Dan Diehl, there are four standards/parameters that most impact IAQ measurements and they should be measured, managed, and reported. Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) Relative Humidity (RH) Airb [...]
HVAC SYSTEMS AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Mitigating the Risk of Spread
The World Health Organization has long held that the coronavirus is spread primarily by large respiratory droplets that, once expelled by infected people in coughs and sneezes, fall quickly to the floor. However, many scientists have been saying for months, “the virus lingers in the air indoors—infecting those nearby.” This makes HVAC systems an important component in the attempt to mitigate the [...]
THE ADVANTAGES OF AUTOMATED BUILDING CONTROLS IN THE CHURCH ENVIRONMENT
Worship facilities have their own unique characteristics, and those characteristics typically make them very well suited to take advantage of Digital Controls (vs. the older pneumatic style) and the most current energy saving features they offer. Some of those characteristics are: * Often exceed 80 hours of operation * Periodic/inconsistent occupancy in various parts of the facility * Tight budg [...]
NOTICE TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS
In light of the Stay-at-Home order issued by the County of Mecklenburg earlier this week, we want to let you know that United Mechanical will remain open and able to service your HVAC needs as we always have. Classified as an “Essential Business or Operation” that supports critical business operations or infrastructures, we have adjusted our operations to keep the safety of our employees and custo [...]
HUMIDITY- CLEARING UP A COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Hot air has a greater capacity to hold moisture than cold air does. Therefore , heating up a building’s air temperature increases its ability to hold moisture. So, with no change in water content in the air, heating the air will cause relative humidity to fall because the air has more ability to hold water. However, water content in the air remains the same. The only way to remove moisture fro [...]
INDOOR AIR QUALITY CAN AFFECT DECISION MAKING ABILITIES
Poorly ventilated meeting spaces can produce enough carbon dioxide to affect the cognitive ability of the people inside. According to ASHRAE, the comfort level for CO2 is 1,000 ppm—with 600 ppm being the optimal indoor level. Per government statistics, at 1,400 ppm the ability of the brain to make the right decisions begins to be impaired. At 2,500 ppm, cognitive dysfunction kicks in. What to [...]
FMs MAY NEED TO UPDATE THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE STRATEGIES
Per an article in facilitiesnet.com, the value of the customer service function is up for debate in 2019. The business environment has changed dramatically in the last 10 years and customer service is not now among KPI categories that show up on the facility management radar most frequently. Among those that do show up are: Finding lowest cost for operating and maintaining facilities without jeop [...]
A STRAIGHT CHILLER REPLACEMENT MAY NOT BE YOUR BEST OPTION
If you need a new chiller, you may have better options than a straight replacement—options that have to do with getting the right size chiller and accompanying energy savings. Chillers are most efficient when they are operating at or close to max load, and many buildings go through occupancy changes over time that result in the existing equipment being less than ideal for the current situation. [...]
Reduce your tax bill when you replace your R22 air conditioner in 2018
The new tax law includes allows businesses to immediately expense heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. Under the new law, you can write off the entire expense of all components in the year you purchase them. That’s a big change from the old tax rules. That can amount to a tax break of $5000 or more for an average system! For a large commercial system with many components, the savings [...]
Benefits of Controls Integration
Controls integrated into one system, with customized programming specific to the unique needs of facility, can reap the following benefits: Single User Interface ¨ No more visiting multiple computer systems Energy Savings ¨ Controls programming that conditions air volume that meets the needs of the space ¨ Free cooling when outside temperature and humidity permits ¨ Quicker reaction to shifts in s [...]
R-22 Phaseout. What Are the Options?
If you have older HVAC equipment that uses R-22 refrigerant (Freon), it is worth knowing that it is in the process of a worldwide phaseout. As of January 1, 2020, R-22 will no longer be produced or imported due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. After 2020, only recovered, recycled or reclaimed R-22 will be available. Taking a proactive approach to the situation going forward, there are [...]
Controls Systems Using Java Formatting Need To Know This
IF YOUR CONTROLS SYSTEM IS BASED ON TRIDIUM’S NIAGARA FRAMEWORK® AND THE JACE IS NOT RUNNING THE MOST CURRENT NIAGARA VERSION-N4—THEN YOU NEED TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING: ISSUE: The most current version of all traditional web browsers is no longer supporting Java. If your building automation system uses Java for the user interface, this means that there will be a day in the near future when your contr [...]
Bringing Your Facility Up To Current Energy Code Standards
During our Lunch and Learn event, we discussed the following opportunities to realize energy savings and upgrade to meet the current energy code. The codes exist for a reason and for that same reason, all new construction adheres to them. You can create a building that is a “21st century state-of-the-art energy performer” without making prohibitive changes to the building envelope. DEMAND CONTROL [...]
Building Automation Energy Audit
Many times, the HVAC system is not given much thought. It might only become a focus when something goes wrong. However, an HVAC system that is not being properly controlled can account for 40 % of a facility’s energy costs, as opposed to the more typical 20% - 25% range. This is often due to improper set up and programming of the building automation system, or lack of one altogether. An estimated [...]
Certified Church Administrator Courses Offered
The Leader Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary has announced several opportunities for those engaged in Church Business Administration, as well as pastors who might share that responsibility. Certification seminars: If you are interested in becoming a Certified Church Administrator through The Church Network (thechurchnetwork.com), Union Presbyterian Seminary is one of only four sites to off [...]
Controls Integration- A Smart Trend for 2017
Increasing energy and operational efficiency will continue to be a focus in 2017. Consider some of the key benefits a fully integrated HVAC Controls integration can offer: The ability to manage multiple building locations and the entire HVAC system from one web-based graphic interface A system that can be customized to deliver conditioned air volume that matches occupancy needs Remote troubleshoot [...]
Develop an HVAC Tracking System
Develop and implement a system of tracking your HVAC equipment. When United Mechanical performs an equipment survey in preparation of offering a Preventive Maintenance quote, a map of the facility showing the location of all HVAC equipment and detailed equipment list is included. This is valuable information that can help start your tracking process and make capital budgeting easier. Chart the f [...]
Money Saving Controls Tip
Before you place a service call, you may want to check your thermostats and/or your building controls program to see they are set to the correct temperature. You would be surprised how often that happens and an unnecessary call charge is incurred. [...]
ASHRAE Provides Data on HVAC Service Life and Maintenance Costs
The purpose of the ASHRAE database is to provide current information on service life and maintenance costs of typical HVAC equipment. Engineers depend on accurate owning and operating data to make decisions involving the life cycle and functionality of buildings. But a lack of sufficient, up-to-date data makes it difficult to provide a solid basis for those decisions. Click here for the most curre [...]
What Preventive Maintenance Can and Can’t Do
It is not all that uncommon for us to be asked, “Why is it that I am spending money on a preventive maintenance program but am still faced with repair costs? Isn’t the purpose of preventive maintenance to keep things from breaking down?” The reality is, that while committing to a routine preventive maintenance program will decrease maintenance costs and emergency repairs, it will not eliminate th [...]