Prior versions of LEED focused on commissioning the dynamic energy-consuming building systems for confirmation of successful implementation of LEED’s sustainability objectives for each project.
With over-specialization and silos on their way out, the value of well-used data and human-centric building automation is on the rise. Ken Sinclair surveys several thought leaders to point BAS to the future.
In this section of our post-AHR/ASHRAE coverage, your intrepid editor traverses the carpeted hallways of Las Vegas, taking copious notes at gatherings to discuss two specific standards past, present, and possibly future.
A funny thing happened on the way to the “Should ASHRAE Pursue A Net-Zero Standard?” forum sponsored by ASHRAE TC 2.8 – Building Environmental Impacts & Sustainability.
Why do ground loops in moist soils sometimes perform better than expected? What ground loop design tactics can address building system imbalance? Engineers need to take more responsibility for their full GSHP designs, and these questions are a good place to start.
With a little guidance on ground-source heat pump design temperatures and a few rules of thumb for ground loop flow rates, most engineers are pretty comfortable designing the building side of a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system.
It might seem like an odd objective, but the potential efficiency gains are real. And from heat recovery chillers to modified humidification targets so are the opportunities to replace steam production with hot water generation and to manage remaining steam needs more intelligently.
The production of thermal power is critically important in carrying out the mission of health care facilities where it is used for space heating, humidification, domestic water heating, and for processes in dietary, laundry, and sterilization departments.
Leaning on experience and data from various K-12 cities and projects, the authors pursue some less conventional design approaches. They may revolve around radiant heating and/or cooling, but depending on school size and other factors, the smart use of heat recovery, DOAS, and improved central plants could also put a project on the HVAC honor roll.
A few circumstances in a data center make it ripe for a CHP design to boost efficiency. Let’s get into the options within both relevant chiller types, why payback may be shorter than expected, and the assorted potential benefits from lower costs to higher reliability. Some tips from an array of manufacturers’ reps round out this useful investigation.
It’s not necessarily a plug-and-play situation, but these chillers can play key roles and deliver meaningful savings in several scenarios. Waste heat, CCHP, standalone, and even renewable solar as part of the refrigeration cycle can all provide the setting for absorption success.