Happy December! We hope you are enjoying your holiday season. As you gear up for the new year, take a moment to set your energy goals. If you're in need of inspiration, check out our website and social media pages. Let 360 Energy Group make your 2019 energy goals a reality.
Why You Need a Retro-Commissioning Study
Often the energy systems in a building, such as HVAC and lighting, are not programmed to match the way a building is used - resulting in wasted energy. Not only has your equipment aged since installation but the needs of your building may have changed. Retro-Commissioning (RCx) adjusts your existing equipment and controls to improve the use, comfort and energy consumption of the building.
Our engineers will identify any problems that have occurred over time and suggest low to no cost solutions. A successful retro-commissioning study will look at your building automation system to uncover inefficiencies in the way your equipment is scheduled. For example, you could have a system that is simultaneously heating and cooling, lights powering on when no one is in the building, thermostats that are not set properly, economizers that aren't working efficiently or variable speed drives running at an unnecessarily high level.
At the end of the study, you will have a better understanding of your building and ways to improve its efficiency. Since the implementation measures reflect low to no cost improvements, the payback period is generally low.
Did You Know 360 Energy Group Works in Partnership with the University of Illinous at Urbana-Champaign?
The Smart Energy Design Assistance Center, an applied research program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, helps buildings and communities achieve energy efficiency, save money, and become more sustainable. SEDAC is a public-private partnership that works in collaboration with 360 Energy Group.
Whether you need some quick energy advice, a benchmarking verification, an energy assessment, energy incentive guidance, implementation assistance or a retro-commissioning study, SEDAC is a qualified institution to help. You can also visit their website to learn more about energy code training which includes comprehensive online modules, interactive webinars and on-site training to ensure that your buildings meet and exceed code requirements. Do you have a wastewater treatment plant? Get your facility assessed with SEDAC's free wastewater treatment study.
SEDAC is an Illinois Sustainability Award winner! The Smart Energy Design Assistance Center was one of 27 Illinois organizations recognized for their outstanding work in energy efficiency. We are proud to work in partnership with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to form the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center, and we look forward to our continued growth.
What are Lighting Controls?
Lighting control systems have come a long way in recent years, and the process of installing motion sensors or daylighting controls into your space is entirely hassle free. Don't waste energy lighting up unoccupied rooms, let motion sensors do the work for you by monitoring when lights should turn on or off.
Daylighting controls, on the other hand, can lower your energy bill by automatically dimming light fixtures when natural light is available. If your building has a wall of windows or a row of skylights, the fixtures closest to these elements don't need to emit as much artificial light.
Automatic daylighting controls consist of a photosensor, control unit and dimming controls. The photosensor can be mounted to the wall, ceiling or light fixture to monitor how much light is coming through at any given time. When the amount of light reaches a threshold, the photosensor sends a signal to the control unit that will dim or shut off the fixtures closest to the "daylighting zone." Daylighting controls work best in spaces such as offices, schools and municipal buildings. Think your space could benefit from daylighting controls? Give us a call at 312-265-3971