Improving the Efficiency of Small to Mid-Sized Buildings: Taking advantage of technological advances previously limited primarily to large buildings

摘要

Over the past few decades, great technological advances have been made in HVAC equipment and system design. These advances, such as variable airflow, unitary direct digital controls (DDC), and building energy-management systems, have greatly increased efficiency and comfort while reducing energy and operating costs. Today's high-performance buildings utilize the latest energy-management strategies for lower utility costs, demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) for improved indoor-air quality (IAQ), and Web-based access for troubleshooting, service, and consistent, reliable comfort. Unfortunately, these advances have been realized mainly on higher-tonnage equipment serving large facilities. Light-commercial facilities, meanwhile, have remained a largely cost-driven market, with only passing concern for efficiency and life-cycle cost. However, with buildings accounting for nearly 40 percent of carbon-dioxide (CO_2) emissions in the United States each year and an aging electrical grid, there has been renewed focus on improving the efficiency of even the smallest facilities. The latest technological advances have made control and system-integration capabilities available and affordable for small and mid-sized buildings, while providing functionality similar to that of large building automation systems (BAS). By knowing how to take advantage of these systems, a variety of savings can be realized throughout a building's life.