14 minute read
Student Housing Weathers The Storm
by IdeaSoil
amounts to an approximate 22 BTU/sq. ft. for heating, and 20 BTU/sq. ft. for cooling, though this does not include some interior spaces such as stair towers and mechanical rooms.
In each mechanical room, four Taco 1900-series pumps, each dedicated to a boiler, circulate system fluids. A 1 1/2-hp Taco KV-series pump governs domestic hot water circulation. Taco 2400-series circulators were installed as backups for the hot water circulation pumps. The loop system and cooling system pumps are Taco FI series pumps.
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CONTROLS: THE SYSTEM BACKBONE Eight Taco iWorx controllers act as the backbone for each building’s mechanical system, controlling the automation for all pumps and allowing the system to operate fl uidly as a whole.
“Each controller manages different components of the HVAC system, whether it’s the air handlers, pumps, thermistors, you name it,” said Todd Daniels, Emerson Swan Distribution , Randolph, MA, sales rep for the state of Vermont.
“Taco’s modular iWorx controls give each mechanical component a module of its own, making it possible for the technician to easily program, diagnose, and schedule all aspects of mechanical system operation,” he added.
“iWorx makes maintaining and monitoring the mechanical systems a simple task. I can log in online with an IP address and see how each mechanical system is running,” explained Blair. “I don’t even have to step into the mechanical room to make changes to heat pump operation. I can be in my office working or out in the field; if anything goes wrong—a pump shuts off, there’s higher static pressure that may indicate the need to replace a filter, or a sensor goes above a set point—I receive an email alarm that goes directly to my phone.”
In such cases, Blair can log in on his smart phone, turn pumps on or off, raise or lower temperatures, or perform a series of diagnostic procedures immediately. “In most instances, we learn about problems before there’s any noticeable change of conditions within the living spaces—before they’re real problems,” he said.
Although the polar vortex wreaked havoc across the U.S. in 2014, student tenants at Redstone Lofts had luxurious comfort, thanks to state-of-the-art technology.
“Not once have we received a complaint about loss of heat or hot water,” said Matt Blair. “Even though last winter was one of the coldest we’ve seen in a long time, the systems kept up with the heating and hot water demands effortlessly.” CBP
Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/mar2015.
Circle the following numbers on the Reader Service Card for more information:
13 Taco pumps and systems
14 Laars boilers
15 Baltimore Air Coil cooling towers
16 Renew Aire energy recovery systems
Read about Laars NeoTherm boilers/volume water heaters.
Learn about Baltimore Air Coil cooling towers.
Download a Laars M4 boiler control manual.
Download a Renew Aire energy-recovery catalog.
Learn about Taco 1900 series pumps.
Explore Taco KV pumps.
Read about the Taco iWorX control platform.
The Look Of Metal
THE PROTECTION OF FIBERTITE
EDITORS’ CHOICE
Custom-fi t pipe insulation Fiberglas pipe insulation from Owens Corning Insulating Systems provides a custom fi t for Aquatherm’s polypropylene pipe for use in pressurized plumbing and mechanical systems. AQ Fiberglas insulation in, more than nine sizes and 22 SKUs covering pipe as large as 4-in. dia., provides a custom-fi t solution that matches the outer dimensions of the German-manufactured, metric-sized piping systems.
Aquatherm, Lindon, UT Circle 94
Integration controller, customer service
Diamond Controls Solutions, DC-600E:
Product-services package for integration control Uses DC-600E integration controller Allows control of multiple sites
Diamond Controls Solutions and the DC-600E integration controller provide building managers and owners a product-services package that pairs complete building controls with customer service from the company’s Professional Solutions Group (PSG). PSG is involved in each step of the integration process, including design, programming, installation, training, and follow up. O ering a single, integrated solution, the DC-600E integration controller improves the speed of the integration process and reduces the risk of integration mishaps. Diamond Controls Solutions allows building managers to control multiple tenant spaces within the same building, multiple buildings on a site, and multiple sites. e controlled systems can come from any manufacturer.
Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating, Suwanee, GA Circle 93
Radiator Tetra radiator joins individual heating masts to form a single heating unit. Said to easily mount on a wall, the heater’s square heating elements and clean lines provide a contemporary design and increased surface area for optimized heating output. Mounted with or without a towel bar, the unit is available in a variety of colors, including sandblasted gray, brown, and black.
Jaga Climate Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia Circle 95
Germicidal UV-C fi xture GLO (germicidal light overhead) upper-air germicidal UV fi xture is said to provide the industry’s greatest amount of ultraviolet-C energy dosage, without the use of additional power, heat, or special UV lamps. The unit reportedly provides 350% more irradiance than conventional systems. The wall-mounted unit installs in a variety of areas to destroy airborne viruses, bacteria, and mold spores.
UV Resources, Santa Clarita, CA Circle 96
Vanity collection Viva collection is a sleek, contemporary vanity available in three fi nishes with tone-on-tone glass or solid-surface tops. Available in Glossy White, Matte Titanium, and Glossy Graphite, the units measure 27 1/2-in. and 35 3/8-in. wide. Vanities are made in and imported from Italy.
Hastings Tile & Bath, New York Circle 97
Laser-cut rooftop curb adapters Retro-mate laser-cut, all-welded-construction adapters replace rooftop HVAC units. The product is installed on top of the existing curb to adapt it to the new unit. Factory prefabricated of heavygauge galvanized or Galvalume steel, the unit includes 1 1/2-in. to 3 lb. insulation, transitions, baffl es, and structural supports that connect the new unit to the existing curb and ductwork.
Thybar Corp., Addison, IL Circle 98
Heat pump The 7 Series 700A11 variable-capacity geothermal variable-capacity geothermal unit uses variable-speed technology, a soft-start compressor, ECM blower, and compressor, ECM blower, and variable-speed loop pumps. variable-speed loop pumps.
This allows the unit to scale output to the needed level output to the needed level rather than the high or low speeds found in conventional systems. The unit reportedly ramps to 20% of normal operation or to130% output using operation or to130% output using SuperBoost for periods when extra SuperBoost for periods when extra cooling is needed. It also uses an cooling is needed. It also uses an Aurora logic board to continuously Aurora logic board to continuously monitor and optimize operation.
WaterFurnace International Inc., Fort Wayne, IN Circle 99
Energy-management motor starter Model MSEM energy-management motor starter adapts to user needs. Available for single-phase (to 15 hp) or three-phase (to 300 hp) applications, the unit has a hand/ off/auto keypad with LCD display to adjust settings. The starter has fi ve control inputs including two separate inputs for auto run, permissive input, and emergency shutdown and fi reman’s override.
Greenheck, Schofi eld, WI Circle 100
INTRODUCING GUARDIAN SUNGUARD SNX 51/23
SunGuard SNX 51/23 from Guardian is a glass industry rst — the rst product on the market with visible light above 50% and a solar heat gain coef cient below 0.25. Along with low re ectivity and a neutral blue color, it represents a breakthrough combination of light, appearance and solar control that meets increasingly strict energy codes. For complete performance data — and other ways to Build With Light — visit SunGuardGlass.com. Or call 1-866-GuardSG (482-7374).
Vibro-Curb... Seismic/Wind-Load Isolation Curb
Combines adjustable spring isolators and a roof curb into a single unit! Airtight plenum available. Can be fabricated to match roof slope. Deflections of 1”, 2”, or 3” may be provided.
56 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Illinois Ohio Texas Kentucky Nevada 800-666-CURB 800-837-CURB 800-777-CURB 800-993-CURB 866-917-CURB LICENSED P.E. ON STAFF!
www.thybar.com info@thybar.com fax: 630-543-5309
Thybar
Chiller, rooftop lines Modular chillers are available in 15- through 85-ton-capacity modules and can be confi gured to 1,000 ton/bank. The systems provide application fl exibility across air-cooled/water-cooled (cooling only), heat recovery, geothermal heat pump, and simultaneous heating and cooling (SHC) heat pump/heat recovery projects. The units have an independent electrical feed and dual independent refrigeration circuits on each module. Rooftop systems from 40- to 90-ton capacities provide a green solution for dehumidifi cation, heat-recovery, and air-quality applications. The systems integrate plenum supply and exhaust fan assemblies.
ClimaCool Corp., Oklahoma City Circle 101
Condensate pump
PlenumPlus condensate pump removes condensate formed in venting and air ducts. Made of fi re-resistant materials, the unit has enhanced pumping capacity and three levels of motor-bearing protection from steam and water splash. A large reservoir and serviceable check valves with standard provisions for low-level inlets facilitate an array of installation options and easy maintenance.
Hartell, Ivyland, PA
Circle 102
NSF-listed tank lines The company’s line of CA (full-acceptance bladder) expansion tanks includes a broad range of vessels for potable water that meet NSF61G requirements. The tanks can be used in potable-water systems in all 50 U.S. states. Tanks range from 23.78 to 2,641.72 gal. (90 to 10,000 liters) and have stainless-steel connections. All parts of the tanks are NSF compliant.
Taco Inc., Cranston, RI Circle 103
New Light At The Museum San Diego History Center retrofit improves lighting, cuts costs, and helps protect priceless exhibits.
The existing lighting at the San Diego History Center (SDHC), in the city’s Balboa Park, consisted of a mix of technologies and lamp types, including halogen PAR and MR16 lamps and incandescent R20 lamps from 50 to 75 W, creating color inconsistency across the facility and exhibits while also driving up maintenance costs associated with stocking lamps.
SDHC wanted a new way to illuminate its galleries, shops, foyer, and public common areas that would save on its energy bill without compromising the appearance of the space. Of particular importance was the impact of lighting on the displays that were especially susceptible to deterioration and damage. After a lengthy research and evaluation process, with the help of Travis Nixon of Nixon & Christophers Lighting Design, San Diego, the History Center chose to retrofit its lighting with a complete system of LED lamps from Osram Sylvania, Danvers, MA.
By installing 250 Sylvania Ultra PAR30 10-W and 175 Ultra HD Professional PAR30 15-W LED lamps, the museum was able to achieve the primary goals of the retrofit project, including improving the quality of light in the halls and reducing overall energy consumption, while fulfilling the requirements for funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by its deadline.
Because many of the historical items in the History Center are textile, paper, or oil-based, concern about deterioration from constant, focused halogen lighting was keeping display cycles quite short. Using a method called the British Blue Wool Test, SDHC and Nixon and Christophers confirmed that the susceptible coloring of the materials on display degraded much slower with LED illumination versus the previous halogen and incandescent lighting. The new lighting system potentially extends the life of the museum’s precious artifacts and the exhibit cycles, allowing the History Center to provide guests with the full experience for longer than was possible with the old lighting.
The LED lamps provide even, color-consistent illumination
The San Diego History Center wanted a new way to illuminate its galleries, shops, foyer, and public common areas that would reduce its energy bill without compromising the appearance of the space.
Project Highlights
• LED lighting sources emit radiation in only the visible spectrum, which creates a gentler environment for delicate artifacts.
• The lighting system (sources and controls) reduces energy demand by 20 kW/ hr., with an estimated additional 6 kW/hr. in space cooling mitigated seasonally.
• The lighting system automatically dims gallery lighting when galleries are unoccupied, adding another level of energy savings and irreplaceable artifact protection.
• A central lighting control allows the staff to easily change the facility-wide time clock, occupancy, or intensity settings from any internet-connected device.
across the space with a high color-rendering index (CRI) of 85 to 95, ensuring the History Center’s attractions are viewed in the best light possible.
The Sylvania Ultra LED lamps use LED technology to provide energy-efficient alternatives to traditional lighting technologies. Designed to be a direct replacement for standard incandescent, halogen, and compact-fluorescent lamps, the Ultra series of lamps offers increased lumen output, dimming functionality, attractive styling, and the flexibility of indoor and outdoor use.
While achieving the goals of preservation and improved illumination, the LED lamps also reduced the center’s lighting energy consumption by 61,500 kWh annually, a roughly 80% reduction from the previous system, resulting in an annual energy cost savings of $9,840. Additionally, the LED lamps have a 50,000-hr. lamp life, 25 times longer than the incandescent lamps they replaced, resulting in $2,656 in annual maintenance cost savings.
“Our lighting system is simple to use. It’s perfect for a museum as far as function, maintenance, artifact care, and the visitor experience. We enjoy using it both for regular operations and special events. We plan to carry this retrofit even further in the future for the archive/library level,” Oscar Urruita, facilities manager, SDHC, stated on the museum’s web site. CBP
Above. Of particular importance in choosing replacement luminaires was the impact of lighting on the textiles, paper, and oil-based displays.
Right. The newly installed LED lamps reduced SDHC’s energy consumption from lighting by 61,500 kWh annually, a roughly 80% reduction.
Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/mar2015.
Circle 5 on the Reader Service Card.
Listen to the Commercial Conversation podcast, “The Lighting Landscape.”
Watch a video on Nixon & Christophers’ work with Balboa Park Cultural Partnership on multiple museum lighting retrofi ts.
Download a data sheet on Ultra Pro and Ultra Pro HD LED PAR Lamps.
Watch a video about the Ultra Pro lamps.
