Energy efficiency has a front seat in modern HVAC design, especially for commercial buildings. Current systems incorporate efficient energy consumption in the form of programs and appliances in order to limit the overall cost for commercial building owners.
Many of these innovative, technological systems include real-time monitoring that keeps building owners up to date on system settings and allows for changes to be made from anywhere using Wi-Fi capabilities.
Take a look at some of Warner Service's favorite ways to conserve energy in modern architecture:
- Energy Management Systems: Energy management systems (EMS) limit the amount of wasted energy consumed by a commercial building. EMSs incorporate a building management system with advanced computer software to provide efficient energy consumption and comfortable heating and cooling solutions for occupants.
The use of real-time monitoring and remote adjustment of building systems increases the control that a building owner has over the monthly energy costs of their commercial property.
- Energy Recovery Ventilators: Typically in a commercial building, poor indoor air quality is common. Air is polluted with a wide variety of allergens and pathogens from leaks in the basement, mold spores in the office bathroom or under the company kitchen sink, or any conference room or office curtains.
Older commercial ventilators drain all of the stale and contaminated air out of the commercial building, replacing it with fresh air. The underlying problem is that this traditional sequence wastes a large amount of energy.
Modern energy recovery ventilations (ERV) provide a twofold benefit. The ventilators decrease heating and cooling costs and create cost-effective ventilation to improve indoor air quality. In short, ERVs reduce the amount of wasted energy in this traditional sequence. - Infrared Radiant Heat Units: Infrared heating is more efficient in comparison to older techniques, because it heats up -- not down. Since hot air rises, heat that’s pumped from the ceiling tends to linger, which leaves ground levels colder.
Infrared heating systems warm the ground levels before rising. This is beneficial for large commercial spaces, including warehouses, storage rooms, and atriums. Infrared radiant heat units are a great complement to zoned heating. - Comfort Control Systems. The invention of air conditioning completely reshaped how buildings were designed and utilized. The updated development of comfort control systems continue this internal reshaping of modern day architecture.
VAV systems, make up air units, chilled water systems, and smart thermostats all individually contribute to an innovative total comfort control system.
VAV systems combine the functions of a controller, actuator, and airflow sensor, which simplifies the cooling process and adds energy efficiency. This ability to create multiple setpoints to regulate the temperature of multiple rooms is useful when designing office-style projects with cubicles, a handful of conference rooms, and more.
Make up air units are best for commercial buildings with limited air circulation and access to fresh air. Each unit brings in outside air to replace indoor air that can't be recirculated, which is imperative for unique architectural projects.
Chilled water systems cool indoor air and equipment or products that are found in the commercial building. It's a non-corrosive, non-toxic, and cost-effective approach to energy efficiency that continues to limit HVAC maintenance and monthly energy bill costs for the building owner.
Click here to see our latest blog, Why Architects Need Smart, Wireless Thermostats.
HVAC is at the forefront of energy-efficient products and architectural designs. The primary goals of today's architects include limiting environmental impact, specifically carbon emissions, and decreasing long-term energy costs for commercial building owners.
With the help of these four HVAC technologies, architects should be able to conquer energy efficiency. For more information about these techniques, download Warner Service's Architect's Guide To Commercial HVAC:
