Project Summary:

  • 66,053 square feet of research laboratory space.
  • Expected utility savings per year of $38,667.
  • Reduction of electricity usage of 121,252 kwh.
  • Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 189 metric tons CO2.

Project Highlights:

  • Motion detectors installed to control existing lighting and provide future temperature set back control.
  • Converted radiant heat from pneumatic to DDC.
  • The existing pneumatic FCU’s are being replaced in phases with new DDC controlled units. As that work is done, the new motion detectors will be used for occupancy set back control.
  • Re-commissioned air & hydronic systems.
  • Calculated energy reduction (using 2011 utility data as a baseline): electricity 4.1%; chilled water 5.2%; and steam 5.1%.

Project Description and Approach:

The project consisted of a lighting control systems upgrade, a conversion of radiant heat in common spaces from pneumatic to DDC control & re-commissioning of existing HVAC systems to maximize energy savings and improve overall operation. The project duration was August to December 2012.

A large percentage of the existing lighting fixtures have been previously upgraded with 30W lamps and compact fluorescent bulbs. Some older fixtures still exist including incandescent lighting and 32W T8 lamps. A partial lighting fixture upgrade scope was defined and recommended but not implemented as part of this project. Occupancy sensors were installed throughout to control the existing lighting fixtures. The same motion detectors will be used in the future to provide optimization / unoccupied temperature set back control for all fan coils in the building as they are replaced with new DDC units over the next 5 years.

The HVAC infrastructure, including air handling systems, exhaust systems, hot water radiation systems and hot & chilled water distribution systems were re-commissioned and optimized. The first step in the process involves a thorough point to point identification and repair of system components. After all required repairs were made, functional testing was performed and trend reports are being generated to review operation over time.

Throughout the project, a third party commissioning agent (CXA) maintained a log of all action Items identified, and re-verified subsequent repairs. The CXA also performed functional testing and trending of all systems at the end of the project to verify that the new sequences are operating as intended.