Faucet aerators are small parts attached to faucet heads. They are small mesh screens that disperse the flow of water into smaller streams by adding in air. In doing this, aerators significantly reduce the volume of water that can dispense from the faucet. There are various brands available.

Benefits Include:

1. Energy Savings – Reduced need to heat water
2. Water/ Sewer Savings – Actual consumption and disposal
3. Rebates/ Tax Incentives
4. Environmental Benefits: Decreases the strain on the municipal water supply, the amount of water taken from natural water bodies and protects the water cycle. It also the reduces energy use and pollution associated with treating, supplying, and heating water.

Faucets-

1. Original faucets – 2.5gpm
2. High efficiency faucets- 1.5gpm
3. Ultra-High Efficiency faucets – 0.5gpm

High Efficiency Toilets use water velocity instead of water volume to remove waste from the bowl. In doing so, they significantly reduce the amount of water used per flush.

Benefits Include:

Water/Sewer Savings – Actual consumption and disposal
Reduced Maintenance and Failures

Toilets-

Original toilet= 3.5gpf
Standard Toilet = 1.6gpf
High Efficiency = 1.1-1.28gpf
High Efficiency Urinal = 0.25gpf

High Efficiency Urinals use water velocity instead of water volume to remove waste from the bowl.  This significantly reduces the amount of water used per flush.  There are also Waterless urinals that require a minimal cleaning regiment as well that require zero water to operate.

Benefits Include:

Water/Sewer Savings – Actual consumption and disposal
Reduced Maintenance and Failures

Toilets-

Original toilet= 3.5gpf
Standard Toilet = 1.6gpf
High Efficiency = 1.1-1.28gpf
High Efficiency Urinal = 0.25gpf

Shower heads come with various options. Flow comes in two options – aerated and restricted flow.  Aerated flow uses parts attached behind the shower head to disperse water flow with air.  Resulting in a 50-75% reduction in water consumption.  Restricted flow is designed to pressurize the water, restricting the volume of water allowed to come out.  Benefits are similar to the aerated design.

Chillers are typically the single largest energy-consuming piece of equipment within a commercial building. With upgrades or replacement, you can reduce energy consumption by over 30%.

Upgrading Benefits:

• Allows system to operate closer to real building load profiles.
• Improved Operational efficiency and runtime
• Variable primary flow systems allow chiller and pumps to throttle lower then in the past
• Smaller footprint
• Internal storage tanks for refrigerants
• Digital controls and building automation integration
• New refrigerants enhancers sustain better heat transfer rates
• Lower maintenance
  • Balance loads with cooling towers

Can achieve up to 55% energy savings over unitary equipment and come in two-pipe or three-pipe systems.

Older systems often use constant volume configurations. These systems usually have electric or hot water heating elements that are used for their thermal units.

Upgrading to a VRF system can achieve energy efficiency by:

• Breaking the units into individual units that can cool or heat as need
• Individual units can operate at varying speeds and loads that achieve the ideal temperature for the occupants rather then use in an on/off mode.
• Give greater control to occupants over their space

Insulation plays a major part in reducing the exchange of heat through surfaces such as walls, attics, ducts or roofs. It works for year-round protection, less warm air escapes during the winter, and less cool air escapes during the summer. Insulation has a direct positive impact on the reduction of energy needed for heating and cooling.

Depending on building type there are various options:

• Fiberglass: is one of the most common types of insulation. It is available as blown-in or batts and made of tiny glass fibers.
• Cellulose: is environmentally friendly option that consists of up to 85% recycled material.
• Spray foam: Is usually made of polyurethane and is applied wet. This type is used to get into hard to reach crevices and can help reduce air infiltration.
• Radiant barrier: keep buildings cool by helping reflect heat from the sun. and are installed under rooflines.
• Vinyl: typically the go to for achieving energy efficiency in metal buildings

By utilizing more efficient heat exchangers, new commercial water units can reduce energy consumption by up to 15% more than conventional commercial units.

The two major types include:  gas-fired storage and gas-fired instantaneous, aka tankless

Gas-fired storage, are individually sized, to keep water on hand and use energy efficient technology to deliver thermal efficiencies

Gas-fired instantaneous, provide hot water only as it is needed. Since they do not produce excess heated water to be used at a later time, the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters is eliminated. They are typically used in lighter load situations.

To determine the best type/ variation a detailed audit will need to be conducted.

A boiler system needs to be capable of meeting the building’s peak demand while also efficiently working during variable load conditions. Proper sizing of a boiler is key and requires in-depth knowledge of the total load profile.

In a commercial space, loads are typically variable, and it is recommended that installing modular boilers and modulating burners is the best way forward.

Benefits:

• During low demand, some boilers can be isolated and reduce any standby losses or cycling losses.
• Can be programmed so that each boiler is running at its most energy efficient operating point without having additional cycling.

Other options to consider for greater energy efficiency:

• Water temperature reset
• Low mass
• Remote monitoring
• Precise air-fuel ratio control
• Optimum start control
• Electronic ignition devices
• Boiler and piping insulation

When upgraded, high-efficiency rooftop units can provide the ability to reduce energy consumption year-round. An RTU, with increased full load efficiency, can reduce energy costs during hot months when the cooling demand is high. RTUs with increased part-load efficiency, can reduce energy costs during variable months when cooling demand is lower.

Typically units that are over 15 years in age see the greatest return and should be considered for audit.

Individual heating and cooling are measured wirelessly in real-time with precise accuracy. The web-based thermostat controls provide an effective way of maximizing efficiency for occupants and owners.

• • Real-Time Heat and Cooling Monitoring
  • Web Based and Wireless Controls
  • Management/Tenant Controls from Computer, iPhone or Android
  • Fully Programmable
  • Eliminate Vacant Unit(s) Utility Costs
  • HVAC Maximize Temperature Set Points
  • Boilers & Chillers HVAC monitoring