Best Practice Guide

Food and Beverage Growers and Processors

Introduction

Planning an Energy Program

Funding and Approval

Commissioning

On-the-Farm Energy Use

Lighting

Building Envelope

Central HVAC System

Industrial HVAC and Energy Use

Reducing Loads

Optimization

Condenser/Chilled Water Subsystem

Heating Subsystem

Air Handling Subsystem

Natural Ventilation and Air Infiltration

Boilers

Steam

Combined Heat and Power

Compressed Air

Refrigeration

Motors

Demand Response

Distributed Generation

Water Use


Fetzer Vineyard

J Vineyards and Winery

Mission Foods

S. Martinelli and Company

Sara Lee

Vineyard 29


View the Glossary

Central HVAC System

Reducing Loads

Printer-friendly version

Share your thoughts

Sometimes the easiest way to increase heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) capacity is to focus on everything but HVAC equipment. Many factors contribute to temperatures within a building, including the building envelope, lighting, and process equipment. Improving energy efficiency of such non-HVAC equipment often reduces heating or cooling loads, meaning that the HVAC system does not need to run as hard or as long to maintain the correct temperature. Replacing an old T12 fluorescent lighting system with T5s, for example, reduces heating loads significantly while simultaneously cutting energy use and improving visual acuity.

Consider your entire energy action plan, and analyze the affect each measure has on HVAC operations. Schedule energy efficiency measures that have a significant impact first, then reassess whether or not adding HVAC capacity is warranted. Should installation of new equipment still be necessary, you will be able to right-size equipment, generally saving on the cost of equipment purchase and installation as well as future costs related to running the new HVAC equipment

Equipment or SystemAffect on temperature
LightingHeat buildup from fixtures, addes to cooling loads.
Building EnvelopeAir infiltration leaks conditioned air
Motors, pumps, fans, and compressors Heat buildup adds to cooling loads; can be used as a source of heat in the winter
BoilerHeat buildup adds to cooling loads

Business Examples

Mission Foods sought to reduce space-cooling loads at its new RanchoCucamonga facility as part of the measures adopted to improve the energy efficiency of the HVAC system.


Lighting Systems
Energy-efficient lighting was one feature chosen to reduce space-cooling loads. T8 fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts are installed throughout administrative areas, with motion sensors that shut off lights when offices are unoccupied. In manufacturing areas, skylights provide daylighting, which supplements the electric lighting system.


Building Envelope
Window glazing was another feature installed to manage cooling loads. Low-emissivity glazing on windows in the administrative areas and on skylights partially blocks solar heat gain without affecting the amount of daylight available.


Premium efficiency motors
Mission invested in premium motors for process equipment, as well as inverter drives and soft starts, an electronic control system that boosts power to a motor at start-up, yet reduces energy use and helps protect against equipment wear.


Resources

Roos, C. Overview: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Northwest Food Processors Association webpage, Building and Facility Efficiency.

Energy Star. Building Upgrade Manual. Chapter 4, Fan System Upgrades, and Chapter 5, Heating and Cooling System Upgrades.

North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance.
Energy Efficiency in Industrial HVAC Systems
. September 2003.