Most commercial building space (60%) is heated and cooled using packaged air conditioners and heat pumps. Any increase in unit operational efficiency, no matter how small, can significantly reduce the 230 trillion BTUs of energy these commercial heating and cooling systems consume annually. This translates to both a reduction in carbon emissions and significant energy savings.
The only question remaining is “HOW?” How can you increase the operational efficiency of your commercial packaged air conditioners and heat pumps? Well, according to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the answer is quite simple: retrofit HVAC controllers.
When packaged units are retrofitted with advanced control packages, energy savings can range from 24 to 35% and cost savings around 38%. These savings vary depending on the square footage allotted per controller and the climate zone.
The best opportunities for energy savings include:
– Integrated differential enthalpy economizer
– Multi-speed supply fan
– Differential dry-bulb economizer
– Single-and two-stage capacity control
– Demand-controlled ventilation
According to the PNNL, retrofitting just half of the packaged HVAC units in the United States with new controls could result in annual savings around 55 trillion BTUs. The maximum cost for a retrofit controller capable of providing a return on investment in three years or less is $2,103 for strip malls, supermarkets, and similar buildings and $540-$1,350 for small office buildings.
For more information about Retrofit HVAC Controllers, please contact Crockett Facilities Services – a commercial mechanical contractor and HVAC service provider for Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. Call 301.262.2771 or email us at sales@crockett-facilities.com. We’re In This Building Together!
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