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A Fresh Look at VFDs

A variable frequency drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the motor. VFDs have been in use since the 1980s, and today, the combination of energy awareness, energy regulations, and new VFD technologies are driving an increasing demand for these energy-saving products.

The concept of a VFD is fairly straightforward. Frequency (hertz) is directly related to a motor’s speed (RPMs). The faster the frequency is, the faster the RPMs go. If an application does not require an electric motor to run at full speed, a VFD can be used to ramp down the frequency and voltage to meet the requirements of the electric motor’s load. As the application’s motor speed requirements change, the VFD can turn the motor speed up or down to meet the speed requirement.

Speer June Blog 2017

So, if a facility has an application that does not need to be run at full speed (an HVAC component, process system, etc.), then energy costs can be reduced by using a VFD to match the speed of the motor-driven equipment to the load requirement. With electric motors responsible for a high percentage of electric consumption in many facilities, utilization of VFDs can be a major energy reduction strategy. Utilization of energy tax rebates and /or utility rebates can mean quick paybacks for VFD installations.

Demand for VFD installations is increasing. Some experts estimate that this demand increase will be close to 40% between now and 2021, the increase fueled primarily by new regulations and new technology. For example, California recently expanded its energy standards to require VFD installations on motors in HVAC applications down to 5 horsepower in some applications. Other states are either enacting similar standards or are exploring the possibility.

With electric motors responsible for a high percentage of electric consumption in many facilities, utilization of VFDs can be a major energy
reduction strategy.

In addition, rapid technological improvements are impacting VFDs just like other products and equipment. VFDs are quickly becoming interconnected and part of smart machines (think the Internet of Things) with extensive built in communication and BACnet capabilities. Other advancements include VFDs for niche markets such as independent HVAC components and specific process equipment, and like many other technology related products, VFDs are becoming smaller with space saving design features.

Some experts estimate that the demand for VFDs will increase nearly 40% between now and 2021, based on new regulations and new technology.

Maybe it’s time to take another look at VFDs to meet your building needs. Speer Mechanical can help. Contact us at 614.261.6331 for more information.

Indoor Air Quality and Energy Conservation—Working Together For Healthier, More Efficient Buildings

Sometimes it seems that many energy conservation measures related to HVAC systems are incompatible with providing good indoor air quality (IAQ).
However, with a little forethought and proper maintenance, significant energy savings from HVAC-system use can be achieved while still providing
good IAQ. Follow these simple guidelines and see how you can improve air quality and maximize energy conservation for your building.

At a base level, take care to provide adequate ventilation and always meet the standards of ASHRAE 62.1-2016.

A good starting point is to understand the basic HVAC energy conservation or retrofit measures that are compatible with IAQ, including:

  • Tightening the building shell, as long as adequate ventilation is provided
  • Reducing internal loads with lighting or office equipment upgrades (if these measures reduce air flow requirements, be sure to consider the
    increased outdoor air necessary to maintain ventilation requirements)
  • Upgrading fans, motors and drives
  • Upgrading chillers and boilers
  • Installing energy recovery ventilation systems (ERV)
  • Equipment downsizing
Speer Mechanical March 2017 Blog

There are also operational improvements and other measures compatible with IAQ that can positively impact air quality while at the same time improving
energy efficiency. These include:

  • Proper preventive maintenance to remove potential contaminants while ensuring efficient operation of HVAC components
  • Use of economizers (air or water)
  • Night pre-cooling (remember to consider humidity control)
  • Reducing demand charges (use caution with load shedding that reduces outdoor air during building occupancy)
  • Supplying air temperature resets (practice appropriate control strategies and consider humidity concerns)
  • CO2 controlled ventilation (use proper control strategies and consistent calibration)

Be sure to use caution with energy strategies like these:

  • Reducing outdoor ventilation below ASHRAE standards –remember, those standards are in place to provide for dilution of potential pollutants
    in the occupied spaces
  • Reduction in HVAC operating hours – to maintain proper ventilation, be sure to provide appropriate lead-in time prior to occupancy, and do
    not shut down HVAC equipment prior to people leaving the building
  • Relaxation of temperature or humidity set points below industry standards – recognize this can make it difficult to properly diagnose any potential
    problems

Discover how the LEED accredited professionals at Speer Mechanical can help with all your energy needs and concerns to make your building healthier
for occupants and more energy efficient for you. Contact us at 614.261.6331 for more information.

House Bill 264 — A 30 Year Update on Energy Conservation in K–12 Schools

Ohio House Bill 264 was enacted in 1985 to allow school districts in Ohio to make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings and use the cost savings to pay for those improvements. Generally speaking, the cost of the energy conservation improvements must pay for themselves out of the energy savings within 15 years.

The law also allows school districts to issue notes, subject to some restrictions, without regard to the requirements of Chapter 133 of the Ohio Revised Code related to public debt. The debt incurred under HB 264 is not included in the net indebtedness calculation of the school district.

Since its inception, school districts across the state have utilized the benefits of this law to perform and fund energy conservation projects. These projects have saved and continue to save districts money in utility bills and operating costs. Although not exclusive, eligible projects include:

  • Lighting replacements of LEDs and T-5 fluorescents
  • Building automation and controls
  • HVAC system upgrades
  • Domestic hot water systems
  • Occupancy sensors
  • Energy efficient motors
  • Variable frequency drives
  • High efficiency kitchen equipment and exhaust fan controls

Over the past several years, various changes and modifications have been made to the process and rules for HB 264 projects. These have somewhat coincided with the oversight of these projects granted to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). Major modifications have included:

  • Enactment of a specific competitive selection process and evaluation criteria
  • Requirements for contractor guarantees of energy savings
  • Development of common methodology for calculating energy savings
  • Annual savings reporting requirements

The OFCC has information on these requirements on their website, along with sample templates for your use.

Visit OFCC Website

Speer Mechanical helps K–12 school districts understand and realize the necessary energy efficiency requirements to reap the benefits of Ohio House Bill 264. Visit our Energy Services page, or contact us at 614.261.6331 to learn the many ways we can help your district improve operating efficiency and save energy costs.

Tax Deductions for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

In 2005, President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act (EPACT), which provided for Federal tax incentives for businesses that enact energy efficiency and savings projects in commercial buildings. This law has been renewed several times, the latest in 2015, extending the tax benefits through year-end 2016. In general, commercial building owners and tenants who purchase and install products in their buildings that save energy may qualify for tax deductions up to a maximum of $1.80 per square of the affected space.

The deduction may be taken only for energy savings projects or upgrades that impact the following building systems:

  • Lighting system
  • HVAC system including hot water systems
  • Building envelope

The building must achieve a 50% reduction in annual energy costs as compared to a base building defined by ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, for projects involving all three eligible systems. For projects that involve only one or two of the eligible systems, reduced percentage reductions are established by IRS guidelines in order to be eligible for a pro-rated tax deduction of $.60 per square foot per system. Additions to existing buildings or alterations to existing buildings qualify, with the tax deduction rate applied to the new or retrofitted square footage areas of the building.

There are many types of projects that might qualify for the tax deduction including:

  • Continuous insulated roofing upgrades
  • Lighting retrofits
  • Motion sensors
  • HVAC economizers
  • Exhaust energy recovery systems

Once the project is complete, the building owner or tenant must demonstrate that the project or upgrade has met the established energy savings by way of a third party inspection. The IRS sets forth the criteria for inspectors as well as the process and reporting forms required. In addition, the inspector must use Department of Energy (DOE) certified software in order to calculate energy use rates. The owner or tenant claiming the deduction must maintain the inspection report.

Speer Mechanical helps building owners design, build, and upgrade systems to help make their buildings more efficient to earn tax credits. Contact us at 614.261.6331 to learn the many ways we can help, or visit our Energy Services page.

Click IRS Notice 2012-26 for additional guidance on the deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings.

Or, click here to view the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Energy Savings Modeling and Inspection Guidelines for Commercial Building Federal Tax Deductions Technical Report.