Energy and Electricity Saving Products

It's really most of the time. These are some of the conditions when savings occur: Early morning, at night, Spring, Fall, Winter if chillers run, a cloudy day, if chiller is oversized, if chillers cycle frequently, when occupancy is low, when production is less than maximum.

What kind of savings can I expect?

Annual savings are 25-30% but can be more during low load conditions.

If savings are 25-30% what will my dollar savings be?

Actual dollar savings are dependant on the size of chillers, the operating hours, and the kWh rate. The larger the chiller the larger the savings. Also, facilities that operate 24 hrs/day such as hotels, hospitals, or factories will realize the greatest dollar savings often $30-80,000.

Is there an application if my chillers are older or use R-11 or R-12 refrigerant?

Yes, these are perfect applications. Efficiency improvements are greatest on older chillers. If considering a refrigerant conversion to a non-CFC refrigerant the addition of a Chiller Optimizer" provides savings to pay for this conversion. Without an Optimizer, there is no financial incentive as the conversion only solves the environmental requirement and routinely degrades the efficiency of the chiller.

If I have an EMS (Energy Management System), BMS (Building Management System), or BAS (Building Automation System) is there an application for a Chiller Optimizer"?
In most cases, yes. Most control companies (Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Landis & Gyr, Staefa, Alerton, Andover, Siemens, CSI, etc.) only start and stop chillers and do not provide chiller control strategies that improve the operating efficiency. The Chiller Optimizer" provides the link between the EMS/BMS and the chiller to improve efficiency and the Optimizer is controlled by the EMS. An engineer must verify functions of your EMS.

If my chiller has a microprocessor provided by the manufacturer (Trane, Carrier, York, McQuay, etc.) don't they provide the same features as the Chiller Optimizer?

In most cases no! Most chillers are bought from the low bidder and they do not include energy efficient controls unless specified. Even OEM microprocessors such as York's CodePak, Carrier's MP-3200's, Trane's UCP, or McQuay's MicroTech typically provide only digital read-outs of temperatures and pressures. In some cases they do provide a soft-start feature or only 10% of the Chiller Optimizer" benefits.

Do I lose cooling capacity or risk guest or tenant comfort using an Optimizer?

No, the Optimizer provides maximum cooling when required. Even if the Optimizer has off-loaded the chiller on a cool evening and the internal load increases for instance because of a large banquet in a hotel, the Optimizer recognizes this change and responds accordingly.

If I have an absorption chiller fired by steam is there an application?

Absolutely! Especially in New York City where Con-Ed steam is very expensive and many highrise buildings in Manhattan have large absorbers. Savings are huge and paybacks very attractive. Con-Ed may even offer incentives for efficiency. Some large buildings also have both an absorber and a centrifugal chiller. A Chiller Optimizer" can control and Optimize both chillers.

If the Optimizer fails do I lose the use of my chillers?

No! None of the existing chiller controls, safeties, or alarms are removed. A by-pass switch is installed to isolate the Optimizer and for service or failure the original controls can be used.

How does the Chiller Optimizer" reduce utility Peak Demand charges when two chillers are required to meet building load?

Two ways. The decision of when to start the second or lag chiller is usually not a scientific one. It's started at a specific time or temperature because that's the way it's always been done or because a staff engineer believes it's time to start it. For the engineering staff it's better to have too much cooling than too little even though it's not the most efficient. The Chiller Optimizer TM starts the lag chiller only when the load requires it.

Also, when the lead chiller is operating at full load and the lag chiller starts, it too ramps to full load. Now both chillers are operating at capacity. If this condition lasts for 15 minutes it's almost certain the Peak Demand level will be exceeded and depending on location these Demand charges can remain all month or all year and can amount to mid to high five digit figures (dollars).

Under Chiller Optimizer" control, when the lead chiller reaches approximately 90% load the Optimizer begins to soft start the lag chiller. When assured the lag chiller has started, the Optimizer off-loads the lead chiller to 45% load and load the lag to 45%. As load increases each chiller is ramped up in 2% increments. This strategy prevents the chillers from breaching the 15 minute Peak Demand window.

Are there any disadvantages to installing a Chiller Optimizer"?

Absolutely none!. It offers substantial savings, impressive paybacks, improves temperature control, extends chiller life, and enhances manpower efficiency.