GREEN CORNER Green HVAC

 

The GREEN phenomenon seems difficult to keep track of.  Questions like where to build, how to build, how to get the building materials and what materials they should be are always being asked.  We also may ask how to clean and cool the building, along with how to get our energy credits.  Those of us in the mechanical fields are dealing with only one component of GREEN, but it is a HUGE component.  Mechanical systems that heat and cool buildings may account for 40 to 60% of the operating and energy costs of running a building, and this is where we can really make a difference.  We can affect the energy costs savings and carbon foot print of a building, while also improving thermal comfort and the indoor air environment.

 

HOW?  There are two items of note here.  One is the new ASHRAE standard S 180 which defines minimum standards for inspection and maintenance of mechanical systems in commercial buildings. (click here to view the draft standard).  The purpose of the standard revolves around minimum maintenance requirerments for the purpose of energy savings, thermal comfort, and indoor air environments.  The other is a study published in the ASHRAE Journal in Nov. '06.  This study (click here to see study) proves that maintenance dollars spent on properly cleaning coils and restoring HVAC air handlers has a quick and positive payback time in energy cost savings.