Smart Solutions Category: HVAC

With Daikin, Olson Plumbing and Heating Stands Up COVID-19 Care Facility in Record Time

Olson Plumbing and Heating partnered with Daikin Applied to retrofit a Colorado medical center to house patients recovering from COVID-19, moving from planning to project completion in just 30 days. In response to the rapid spread of the pandemic, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, CO, was redesigned to provide post-COVID-19, non-critical, isolated care, freeing up intensive care isolation units in other facilities. Daikin is a sponsor of MCAA’s 2021 Virtual Education Conference.

Despite attempts to “flatten the curve” through travel, business and social restrictions, in spring 2020, Colorado officials knew they would need additional capacity and hospital beds for COVID-19 care. Accordingly, state administrators, working with the Colorado Hospital Association and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, developed a plan to repurpose several health care facilities.

In just 30 days, a Colorado hospital was reconfigured to care for patients recovering from COVID-19, thanks to Daikin’s ability to speed up the manufacturing process and Olson Plumbing and Heating’s dedication to working nonstop to get the job done.

The Rush to Reconfigure

Eight Daikin Rebel DPS units with gas heat and DX cooling were selected for their ability to run on factory controls and handle 100-percent outside air to serve neutral, make-up air to the fourth and fifth floors of the six-story medical facility. The two floors are pulled negative by 18 utility set exhaust fans. All the duct work was installed on the exterior of the building. The Rebel units also feature inverter compressors and electronically commutated motors to maximize energy efficiency.

While the Daikin Rebel units were an ideal solution for converting two floors of general recovery rooms into isolation rooms, the more critical challenge was delivery and installation speed. The virus growth models suggested that the Colorado health care system would be overburdened by early May—and building integrators LONG Building Technologies only learned about the St. Mary-Corwin project on April 11. When Daikin factory workers in Minnesota learned about the job and the dire need, they assured management they could get the system built and shipped in a matter of days.

“There was no way this project would have been completed without our partners. And Daikin more than stepped up to the plate.”

 —John Hill, Construction Manager, Industrial Plumbing and Heating (part of Olson Plumbing and Heating)

“We knew from the first phone call that we needed to take on this time-challenging project. But we needed to do it with a team we could trust,” said John Hill, construction manager at Industrial Plumbing and Heating, part of Olson Plumbing and Heating. “There was no way this project would have been completed without our partners. And Daikin more than stepped up to the plate.”

Gary Venable, president of Colorado Sheet Metal, agreed. “It was really amazing the way everybody came together as a team on this project,” he said. “We started the design and planning process on Easter, and a week later, we started construction. We were working seven 12-hour days for three weeks to make this thing come together. Everybody put extra effort into meeting the schedule, from team delivery drivers to cranes being set on weekends. The engineers were on site the entire duration of the project, tweaking ducts and designs to meet codes and facility requirements,” Venable said.

The entire project, from manufacturing to commissioning, was completed by May 10—approximately 30 days from plan to completion. It is typical in the industry for the bid and spec process of similar jobs to take up to six weeks.

A Breath of Fresh Air

The Daikin Rebel units have performed flawlessly and have been effective in balancing negative and positive air pressure to isolate the fourth and fifth floors of the facility. The integral gas heat system ensures a continuous supply of neutral air in colder months.

The rapid project completion is a testament to the dedication of Daikin factory workers in providing quality solutions that meet the needs of the customer. Yet, it is also a testament to the cooperation of Olson Plumbing and Heating and the rest of the contracting team.

For more information, visit www.daikin.com.

MCAA thanks the Daikin Group for being a sponsor of MCAA’s 2021 Virtual Education Conference.

Daikin Magnitude Chiller & Optimized Controls Save Hospital More Than $70,000 per Year

When it came time for Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) of Lanham, MD, to update its aging HVAC infrastructure, it quickly awarded the business to the Daikin Applied team in Washington, DC, which has helped the hospital meet its patient care and comfort needs for years. The project leads helped LHDCMC secure a $160,000 energy efficiency rebate from the local utility provider, and the updates will save the facility over $70,000 per year in energy costs. The work had to be completed in the midst of a shutdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Founded in 1975 by a team of physicians committed to improving local access to care, the center provides medical and surgical services to residents in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties in Maryland (suburbs of Washington, DC) and across the state’s Eastern Shore. It joined the Luminis Health system in 2019 to form LHDCMC and is a nationally recognized nonprofit hospital that has grown into an ultramodern operation with more than 200 beds. 

To minimize the effects of the HVAC overhaul on patient care and staff productivity, the project was divided into phases. Phase one was slated to take place during the winter months to help moderate the demand on the equipment for chilled water. Phase two was scheduled for summer to help reduce the demand on the hospital’s boiler for steam and hot water. “I have never worked with a group that is so efficient and can get things done with minimal disruption,” said Jerry Dyer, LHDCMC’s director of Plant Operations.

Installing Daikin’s Magnitude magnetic-bearing WMC and Pathfinder AWV chillers earned Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center a $160,000 energy efficiency rebate and is projected to save the facility over $70,000 per year in energy costs.

The turnkey package included new air- and water-cooled chillers, hot water and steam boilers, cooling towers, chilled and condenser water systems, hot water pumps, and chiller and boiler plant controls. The Daikin team partnered with an MEP engineer to ensure an efficient and code-compliant design. In addition, the team employed seasoned partners in the mechanical, electrical, and controls trades to ensure a high-quality outcome. 

The solution included Daikin’s Magnitude® magnetic-bearing WMC and Pathfinder® AWV chillers to form a hybrid that uses a combination of air-cooling technology in the winter months and water-cooled technology in the summer months to meet hospital loads. Magnetic-bearing technology eliminates oil, mechanical seals, wear surfaces, and gears, resulting in longer machine life and increased reliability.  

Using direct drive technology, integral variable-frequency drives, and ozone-friendly R134a refrigerant, the Magnitude chiller can be up to 40 percent more efficient than standard centrifugal chillers. The variable drive responds according to cooling demand rather than operating at a constant rate. The award-winning Pathfinder is one of the most efficient air-cooled screw chillers on the market. It features proprietary, variable-volume ratio®, single-rotor compressor technology and fully-variable-speed ECM condenser fan motors. Further, the chillers operate quietly and reliably—ideal for the health care environment. 

To further optimize energy consumption, the Daikin team specified a state-of-the-art controls platform, leveraging the latest techniques for running the chillers and accessory equipment at the lowest energy consumption rate possible. The controls also provide facility operators with real-time energy data in terms of kilowatts per ton of performance. 

In the midst of the carefully-timed schedule—but just after the chillers and cooling towers were set in place—Maryland initiated a COVID-19 shutdown, except for essential services. Daikin Applied and its dedicated partners worked to finish the project with a renewed sense of urgency and care. The upgraded HVAC system, with magnetic-bearing chillers and controls optimization, will cut LHDCMC’s energy use to 23 percent of the current chiller plant consumption.

Calculate the true cost of ownership with Daikin’s chiller payback calculator: https://chillerpayback.daikinapplied.com/chiller 

For more information, visit DaikinApplied.com. MCAA thanks Daikin for being an MCAA sponsor.

IMI Hydronic Engineering Describes Keys to Perfect Hydronic Climate Control

The ultimate goal of every heating and cooling installation is to provide the desired indoor climate at the lowest possible energy cost. Today’s advanced control technology means that, in theory, achieving this goal is possible. In practice, however, even the most sophisticated controllers do not always perform as promised. The result is lower-than-desired comfort level and high energy expenditure. The controllers can only perform their functions as specified if the three key conditions for hydronic control are fulfilled:  

  1. The design flow must be available at all terminals. 
  2. The differential pressure across control valves must not vary too much. 
  3. Flows must be compatible at system interfaces.  

The best way to attain these three conditions is to perform a balancing procedure to ensure that the plant performs and operates as specified by the designer. Balancing can help find and remove issues ranging from incorrectly implemented balancing calculations to assembly errors, such as incorrectly installed check valves, and blocked filters. The balancing procedure allows you to immediately reveal the effects of any disturbances, identify the cause, and take corrective measures. This article summarizes IMI TA’s expertise in the three key hydronic conditions, describes how to identify when the conditions are not being met, what caused the problem, and how to solve it. 

Condition 1 

To ensure that the design flow is available at all terminals, hydronic balancing is necessary. Hydronic balancing prevents overflows in certain circuits from causing underflows in others. Balancing helps to detect possible oversizing of pumps and verifies that the plant provides the functions and performance as intended. See Table 1 for symptoms and solutions.

Table 1: Design Flow Must Be Available at All Terminals

Condition 2 

For stable and accurate control, the differential pressure across the control valves must not vary too much. Again, hydronic balancing is required to meet this condition. In fact, hydronic balancing is the only way to identify and resolve the real causes of operational problems in the plant. See Table 2 for symptoms and solutions.

Table 2: Differntial Pressure Across the Control Valves Must Not Vary Too Much

Condition 3 

For perfect hydronic control, flows must be compatible at system interfaces. To fulfil this condition, hydronic balancing is necessary so that the installed power in the plant can be delivered. The balancing procedure allows you to localize and resolve any hydronic problems. It also reveals possible oversizing of pumps and helps reduce pumping costs. See Table 3 for symptoms and solutions.

Table 3: Flows Must Be Compatible at System Interfaces

Other Benefits 

Achieving the three key hydronic conditions can also bring the following benefits: 

  • Faster system balancing and commissioning using the right balancing products and following proper engineering methods  
  • Quicker return on investment and lower risk for owners with a well-optimized system, detailed commissioning reports, and happy tenants
  • Added flexibility for any system changes and future expansion (with no rebalance needed) for the designers and contractors

IMI TA’s Engineering Support Centers provide free help with project review for functional checks, possible problems, solutions, takeoff, selections, preset, and energy calculations to simplify the overall installation and balancing/commissioning process: https://www.imi-hydronic.com/sites/EN/international/Pages/Engineering-Support-Center.aspx 

IMI Hydronic Engineering invites you to attend Hydronic College to get in-depth product training: https://www.imi-hydronic.com/sites/EN/en-us/knowledge-centre/Pages/Hydronic-College.aspx 

For more information, visit www.imi-hydronic.com, call 855-55-ASK TA (855-552-7582), or email trainings.na@imi-hydronic.com.

Installing Hydronic Systems in Health Care Facilities: Tips from IMI Hydronic

The performance of any health care building is linked to the HVAC ecosystem, as accurate indoor temperature and air quality are critical in health care settings. However, each project comes with its own set of challenges. IMI Hydronic Engineering has over 300 years of combined experience on hydronic systems. 

Renovation Projects 

Renovating health care facilities requires finding solutions for individual system problems and also improving the system performance. Some of the most common HVAC problems involve system noise, temperature fluctuations, and power disruptions. 

System Noise 

Disruptive system noise is the result of vibrations across valves and pipework. Noise can come from air and dirt circulating in pipes, high flow speed, or a too-high pressure drop in valves. 

Air vents, dirt separation, and degassing solutions help keep the system “clean” and avoid air bubbles that lead to system noise. They also increase system efficiency. Oxygen in the system can significantly reduce the efficiency and durability of equipment. 

Installing differential pressure (DP) controllers on the floor circuit helps control the available pressure and, if needed, rectifies the pressure interval entering that specific zone. Controlling the pressure helps avoid overflows that lead to large pressure drops, vibration, and noise. Proper balancing is also critical to prevent overflows. Installing a pressure independent balancing and control valve (PIBCV) can perform both balancing and DP control. 

Air Temperature 

Different areas of a health care facility have different temperature requirements. A difference of 2° F too hot or too cold can increase energy consumption by 6 to 11 percent. Hospitals have five to seven times high¬er annual consumption than conventional office buildings. Ensuring the right temperature can have a significant impact on energy bills. 

Most buildings operate under 20 percent of flow during 80 percent of the heating or cooling season. Switching from constant to variable flow allows delivery of just the right amount of flow required at a given time. Valves with the equal percentage characteristic (known as EQM) ensure precise control even in low-flow conditions. A PIBCV adjusts the design flow independently of the DP variation, so complex calculations and commissioning are no longer necessary.

Power Disruptions 

Power disorders or outages can sometimes be inev¬itable. Installing actuators with a fail-safe function, like IMI’s TA-Slider, a digitally configured actuator, mitigates the consequences. With the fail-safe feature, the actuator moves to a predefined position in case of a power failure, ensuring that a safe power flow is achieved. 

New Build Projects 

Building a new health care facility requires meticulous system design. The correct selection and sizing of prod¬ucts ensures accurate performance, reliability, and durability. Also, diligent follow-up during the installation and commissioning ensures that the system startup matches design conditions. Following are some critical considerations for a good hydronic system design and smooth operation. 

Smart HVAC System 

A smart HVAC system offers multiple benefits, including easy access to critical system parameters, remote troubleshooting, and automation. IMI’s digital actuator connects the controls’ system to any building management system, where operation can be monitored and analyzed and equipment can be controlled. 

The IMI connected valve (TA-Smart) takes smart systems to a whole new level with internal control feedback. It continuously measures the flow, delta temperature, and power, and logs this information in a smartphone app even without a building management system. In addition, it communicates those data to its own actuator to change its input signal, ensuring the desired conditions for smart autonomous control. TA-Smart can also be used for energy metering purposes by zone.

Good Design 

Well-designed controls have fewer variants and more installation possibilities and can adapt to on-site conditions, saving time and mitigating risk. IMI’s solutions are fully configurable via a smartphone app, HyTune, so you do not have to climb into dark ceilings with screwdrivers to set dual in-line package switches. 

Confidence in Commissioning 

System start-up is a lot smoother if the system design and product sizing are properly done. IMI’s software tools simplify this process. For example, system information can be uploaded to TA-Scope, a diagnostic measuring instrument, to validate system conditions. IMIs’ centralized technical team, the Engineering Support Center, is available to review your HVAC drawings and support you with hydronic calculations, product selection, and sizing. 

For more information, visit www.imi-hydronic.com. 

IMI TA’s Support Center Cuts Energy Costs at Oklahoma Public Safety Facility

In recent years, the power needed to heat or cool buildings has fallen dramatically with the focus on reducing energy consumption and minimizing the environmental impact of HVAC installations. The flow rates in our installations are much lower now than in the past, especially if we use modulating controls on the terminal units.

Installations must be designed to guarantee a minimum flow rate for boilers and chillers so that their power output can be controlled and they keep running reliably. The same applies to variable-speed pumps requiring a minimum flow rate. Here, IMI Hydronic Engineering explains the issues around low flow rates in boilers, cooling units, and pumps; solutions to guarantee the minimum flow rate; and effective ways to control low flow rates.

Alongside control precision and stability, the system designer should consider the overall output of the installation depending on the control type recommended for the terminal units. The flow rates in an installation are directly linked to the necessary power and the temperature difference. In general for 85 percent of the heating period and 73 percent of the cooling period, the installation operates below 50-percent load. For 50 percent of power, a flow rate on the order of 20 percent is sufficient.

Issues With Low Flow Rates

Care must be taken to guarantee the minimum flow rate required for boilers, chillers, and heat pumps. Variable speed pumps also require a minimum flow rate.

In terms of distribution, low flow rates will affect circulation speeds, which can result in problems with sediment and air pockets. Low flow rates result in a greater temperature drop from the source unit (boiler, chiller, or heat pump) to the terminal unit. Finally, control valve characteristics must be considered for controlling lower flow rates.

How to Guarantee the Minimum Flow Rate

One simple and popular way of ensuring a minimum flow rate is to use a “static” bypass for a constant flow rate through boilers or chillers. This bypass is sized to create a slight pressure drop that will create hydraulic decoupling between the source unit and the terminal units. Variable flow on the distribution units will not affect the flow rate in the chillers.

Operating chillers and boilers with variable flow improves production efficiency. To achieve this, a “dynamic” bypass is used that stays closed until the primary flow rate approaches the minimum flow rate required by the production equipment.

The table summarizes ways to guarantee the minimum flow rate. Each approach has benefits (plus signs) and drawbacks (minus signs).

The minimum flow bypass with a balancing valve (A) should be adjusted below two thirds of the minimum flow rate to account for overflow when other control valves close.

As seen in (B), a bypass can be designed with a bypass valve that opens when the differential pressure passes the setpoint. These are diaphragm-spring technologies that are most effective with a proportional range on the order of 20 percent. This approach limits pumping costs and unwanted changes in the return temperature.

Three-way diverting valves (C) on the last terminal units are also used for maintaining minimum flow. This solution is easy to install but creates unwanted changes in the return temperature.

The best bypass design is with a motorized valve (D). The valve is opened according to the primary flow rate measured by a flow meter. As the flow rate approaches the acceptable limit, the valve gradually opens. The valve should not open or close too suddenly, causing surges.

Effective Control of Low Flow Rates

We need to accurately control the power output at low flow rates. For this, system designers must pay attention to the characteristics of two-way control valves. The two main criteria are the valve characteristic and the turndown.

The equal percentage (EQ%) flow characteristic is a way of compensating for the non-linearity of the exchangers. To control a flow rate between zero and 20 percent, an EQ% valve would operate between zero and 50-percent opening, which is 2.5 times more than a linear valve that is suitable for on-off application.

The other important criterion is the turndown. A turndown of 25 means that the minimum controllable flow rate is 4 percent of the nominal flow rate.

Controllable power is a function of the authority and the turndown of the control valve. The authority depends on the valve size and the available differential pressure. Authorities between 0.5 and 0.8 offer excellent control and can be achieved with differential pressure controllers or pressure-independent control valves.

For example, with an authority of 0.6 and a turndown of 25, the minimum controllable power is 20 percent, which corresponds to about 30 percent of the operating time. In other words, if no solutions are used to stabilize the available differential pressure in a circuit, the authority of a standard modulating control valve can go below 0.25, which could cause the control valves to operate in on-off mode with very low controllability for 30 percent of the operating time.

 Compare Costs and Benefits

Our installations require us to manage lower and lower flow rates correctly or risk decreasing the life cycle of the equipment (pumps, boilers, and chillers). Compared with the cost of energy or premature wear, the investment needed to correctly control minimum flow rates is relatively modest.

To maintain a minimum flow rate and controllability in a hydronic system, IMI Hydronic Engineering recommends that system designers take into account minimum flow bypass using solutions like fixed bypass with bypass valves or bypass with motorized valves to get more precise flow and temperature control throughout the system. Particular attention should be paid to the characteristics of the control valves. High turndown, the EQ% flow characteristic, and high control valve authority are the criteria that will ensure effective control of exchanger power for most of the operating time of HVAC installations.

For more information, visit www.imi-hydronic.com.

IMI TA’s Support Center Cuts Energy Costs at Oklahoma Public Safety Facility

Close collaboration between IMI TA, a branch of IMI Hydronic Engineering, and building designers led to a 23-percent savings in annual energy consumption (equivalent to $19,341) for an Oklahoma public building. The Lawton Public Safety Facility in Clay Coe, OK, is a 100,000-square-foot, four-story building with 350 working stations. The original design strategy for the facility included proportional control valves with no balancing valve on each terminal and a variable speed pump (VSP) differential pressure (DP) sensor.

IMI TA offers free service through its Engineering Support Center to help with project review for functional checks, possible problems, solutions, take off, selections, and energy calculations. IMI TA worked closely with the building designer to implement a design with proportional control valve with manual balancing, a Δp controller on each branch, and a VSP DP sensor. An analysis using IMI TA’s energy estimation tool found substantial energy savings.

A well-balanced system can help identify issues and provide energy savings on your pumps and chillers. Strategic balancing also allows manual balancing in modules, so contractors can balance and commission large projects by phase. Similarly, DP control provides added flexibility. Sections can be added or removed independently of the existing parts, so contractors can work on any part of the system without affecting the part that is already commissioned.

For more information, visit www.imi-hydronic.com.

Daikin Expertise Ensures Smooth Chiller Installation in Urban High-Rise

A construction project at a senior living facility presents a specific set of challenges. For the Brookdale Senior Living Center in Chicago, Daikin overcame those challenges by combining customized products, advance planning, and know-how for successful installation of a new chiller, ensuring the project stayed on time and within budget.

Daikin North Central Regional Owner Sales Manager Robert Ambrose and his team set out to upgrade the HVAC system at the 42-story high-rise senior living residential complex. “The original machines from construction were approximately 30 years old. In the course of conducting a comprehensive inspection of one of those machines in the summer, it was discovered that to continue with those machines just didn’t make any financial sense,” Ambrose said.

Brookdale Senior Living Center is located in a busy residential neighborhood along Chicago’s famous Lake Shore Drive. Installing a chiller in an active neighborhood is a big task on its own. Adding on the needs of an on-site population of seniors to the mix, the installation became that much more of a challenge. “We had a chiller made to order,” said Ambrose, specifically a Magnitude® magnetic bearing water-cooled chiller to serve approximately 158,000 square feet of space. Daikin’s Magnitude WMC chiller is up to 40 percent more efficient than standard centrifugal chillers.

Working closely with the city, Daikin erected a crane to install Brookdale Senior Living Center’s new chiller, removed the old machine, and disassembled the crane in less than 24 hours, so services to residents and neighbors continued without interruption.
Replacement of the Brookdale Senior Living Center’s 30-year-old chiller with a new Daikin Magnitude® magnetic bearing water-cooled chiller stayed on time and within budget thanks to advance planning and Daikin’s expertise.

To install the chillers, “We made a pretty prolific rig,” Ambrose stated. “It was a significant lifting process that involved coordinating emergency medical services, city street access, and the care and well-being of 200- plus senior residents.”

Ambrose explained, “We had to consider a route in the event of any medical attention being needed, for services to enter uninterrupted and unimpeded. We were occupying the entire means of getting to this building. We were using almost two blocks to build the crane. There was a hospital one street over, so we made sure their route was open. We had to make sure we could get to this building and do all this within the methods of operation of the city of Chicago.”

With so many moving pieces to consider, getting the work done in a speedy fashion was vital. “The work began at 7 p.m. on December 7th,” Ambrose said. “It took 12 hours to build and erect the crane. It was ready to go by 8:30 a.m. on December 8th. We removed one machine and brought out the other machine in pieces, disassembled the crane, and gave them back access to the site by 10 p.m.”

Even with the quick turnaround, the need for emergency access did come into play. “There was an ambulance call,” Ambrose noted. “We didn’t impede the emergency medical services’ ability to get in, remove the person, and go. We got an ‘attaboy’ from the fire department for that.”

Along with coordinating with the city and emergency services, Ambrose’s team also established a strong working relationship with the management and residents of the building. Jeffrey Ludwig, Brookdale Senior Living’s regional director of property management, was impressed by Daikin’s extensive planning and communication in advance as well as throughout the execution of the project. “Watching the chiller lift was like watching a well-composed orchestra,” said Ludwig. “The Daikin team did an outstanding job. There were no issues. We beat the time and made the budget. It was a mutually successful project.”

Ambrose said it was fortunate that some uncontrollable factors never came into play. While the weather was obviously beyond the team’s control, the Daikin team did its best to plan even for that. “We tried to forecast this,” Ambrose said. “We had everything ready to go four weeks before we needed to do it. We weren’t playing around. This wasn’t a roll of the dice. We were waiting and waiting for the weather to break at the right time, and it did.”

For more information, visit www.DaikinApplied.com.

MCAA thanks the Daikin Group for being a benefactor of MCAA2020 and supplying beverages on Wednesday evening.

Hospital Cuts Energy and Maintenance Costs with Cutting-Edge Daikin Chillers

When Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, NH, started having problems with its antiquated chiller system, the facility was eager to make an upgrade and chose Daikin chillers primarily for the energy efficiency. As a result, it has cut energy use in half and reduced maintenance costs.

Keeping patients, staff, and visitors as comfortable as possible is a top priority for any medical center. The HVAC systems “serve the entire building, including operating rooms and patient rooms and general use in the building,” said Alex Finlayson, field supervisor of Daikin Applied’s Boston Service office, explaining the glaring need for new equipment. “They had three non-Daikin centrifugal chillers that were 25 years old [and] that had leaks and control platform issues. The platform wouldn’t support it anymore, so the customer started to look at options to replace the machine.”

Investing in Efficiency

Finlayson gives credit to a diligent administrator for making the right call. “The facility director did his homework. He compared the competitor’s machines they already had and similar replacements with what Daikin had to offer. The energy efficiency of the Daikin chiller he selected was significantly better.”

“It was mainly energy-based,” Finlayson explained. “That was the reason for investing in these chillers. That, and a magnetic-bearing chiller is certainly a cutting-edge piece of equipment. We got involved and introduced to them our WME magnetic-bearing compressor, which improved efficiency and decreased costs.”

Daikin’s Magnitude® chillers can, in fact, save building owners up to $4 million over the life of the chiller. Proven through installations all over the world, the oil-free design may reap up to 40-percent efficiency gains and reduces maintenance costs by eliminating the oil, mechanical seals, wear surfaces, and gears.

Difficult Installation Stays on Target

Despite the clear decision, the team faced obstacles in the path to installation. Removing three aging chillers from a hospital basement was not a simple task. Fortunately, the chiller project was scheduled alongside several other renovations, including new lighting and a new pump system, which helped make the Daikin project less obtrusive.

Even so, Finlayson said it was still a major undertaking. “It was a very complicated rig to get the old chillers out and the new chillers in.” To fit into the basement space, the chillers had to be disassembled, dropped through a pit to the mechanical room level, reassembled, and installed.

“It was very time-consuming,” said Finlayson. “Long days, 12-hour days to get the new machines down into the basement and the old ones out. It was a year-long project, one chiller at a time.” Still, the project came in on time and under budget. In the end, the hospital had three new, highly efficient Daikin Magnitude magnetic-bearing chillers.

Daikin’s magnetic bearing technology eliminates oil, bearing wear surfaces, and gears for longer machine life and increased reliability. The design eliminates the risk of contamination from efficiency-robbing oil buildup onto heat-transfer surfaces. For Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, that translates to lower maintenance costs.

Decision Pays Off

The long-running labor effort paid off. In the two years since the project was completed, the facility has seen improved energy efficiency and a significant drop in mechanical issues. Finlayson said the facility director has been pleased. “The maintenance costs were substantially less as well, because the chiller uses a magnetic-bearing compressor, and he didn’t have to deal with changing oil every year.”

It may have been a long process getting the chiller system upgraded, but now the staff at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center can be assured that they are delivering superior indoor air quality for the best patient outcomes. That is an upgrade that every hospital visitor should be able to appreciate.

Read Daikin’s blog post on the effect of air quality on health outcomes.

For more information, visit www.daikinapplied.com.

With Close Collaboration, Hill York Saves Time, Carrier Saves Money

Carrier’s New Global Headquarters Achieves LEED Platinum Status

Hill York Service Company worked closely with Carrier Corporation for nearly a year before construction began on Carrier’s new headquarters, and Hill York’s input saved Carrier $1 million. Moreover, Hill York introduced a novel approach to installing Carrier’s chilled induction beams that allowed the contractor to save time on the project’s tight schedule. Thanks in part to Hill York, Carrier’s new headquarters also met stringent indoor air quality (IAQ) standards and received LEED® Platinum certification.

Building a Model Facility

When Carrier was building a world-class, first-of-its-kind facility, selecting the right HVAC contractor was key. As the new global headquarters for Carrier—the inventors of modern air conditioning—the Center for Intelligent Buildings in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, required a high-caliber contractor to install and configure the HVAC equipment that Carrier designs and manufactures. Carrier chose Hill York, an EMCOR Company based in Ft. Lauderdale.

Hill York, founded in 1936, designed and installed the first air conditioning systems in Miami Beach hotels after World War II. It has since played a key role in ensuring that premiere Florida facilities achieve indoor comfort and energy efficiency. “Historically, Hill York has worked closely with Carrier to deliver the best solutions and pricing,” said Jeff Phillabaum, Hill York’s president.

Products in Action and on Display

Completed in 2018, the 224,000-square-foot building was designed to showcase new technology for customers from around the world. The building reveals the unseen, putting the most advanced integrations of Carrier’s solutions and services in action and on display.

Every product displayed is in use somewhere in the building, and visitors can see how they function in real time. The building was designed specifically to demonstrate what is possible in the building technology space. Critical building technologies—typically hidden in mechanical rooms, behind walls, or on rooftops—are openly displayed.

 

To meet the tight construction schedule for Carrier’s state-of-the-art headquarters, Hill York recommended setting Carrier’s ActivAir chilled induction beams in place before the ceiling contractor’s installation—a dramatic timesaver.
Hill York’s recommendations contributed to a $1 million savings on Carrier’s building project and included a final design that used 350 chilled induction beams.

Hill York Showcases Innovative Solutions

“The Center for Intelligent Buildings is truly iconic,” said Phillabaum. “It was one of those rare projects that, for HVAC professionals, comes along once or twice in a lifetime. It allowed us to showcase our full range of innovative solutions and craftsmanship on a world-class stage.”

Hill York’s solutions and uncompromising quality not only met the stringent technical and comfort specifications, but also substantially reduced costs. “Our recommendations helped contribute to a $1-million savings on the project and included a final design that used 350 chilled induction beams,” said Phillabaum.

But Hill York would take the chilled induction beams installation one step further.

“All the Carrier ActivAir™ units were set in place prior to the ceiling contractor’s actual installation,” commented Anthony Scalone, Hill York’s onsite project superintendent for the installation. “We worked very closely with the ceiling contractor to confirm each unit’s precise measurements and position. This proved to be a critical and successful part of the puzzle,” he noted.

Hill York “worked very closely with the ceiling contractor to confirm each unit’s precise measurements and position. This proved to be a critical and successful part of the puzzle,” said Anthony Scalone, Hill York’s onsite project superintendent for the Center for Intelligent Buildings’ installation.
To shave time off the installation timetable, Hill York prefabricated offsite many of the piping components that typically would have been done onsite for Carrier’s new headquarters.

Scalone continued, “One of the most significant challenges was the tight schedule of this project, but we knew that getting the chilled beams in position first would be a dramatic timesaver.”

To further shave time off the installation timetable and help their overall cost-reduction strategy for the building owner, Hill York prefabricated offsite many of the piping components that
typically would have been done onsite. During the construction phase, Carrier Rentals supplied five portable packaged units ducted directly into the site throughout construction.

The Center for Intelligent Buildings illustrates the value of collaboration and communication between Hill York and the in-house engineering staff. “We worked very closely with engineering, both during the construction phase and through the commissioning of the project,” said Scalone. “Furthermore, we enjoy an ongoing relationship with them.”

Taking Technology to the Next Level

Visitors to the building can use augmented reality—a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world—to see the airflow in the four-story entryway. Building tours are customized to the visitor, so an HVAC consulting engineer and a security professional would receive different content relevant to their areas of expertise.

In the Customer Experience Center, solutions are highlighted across all product segments so that customers see products at work in the building. A prominent residential space built to look like an actual home shows how HVAC, fire, and security products all connect. Here too, Hill York installed all of the HVAC components.

Efficiency and Productivity

The Center is designed to meet IAQ conditions found by Harvard University researchers to double occupants’ cognitive function test scores, compared with a conventional building environment. “The building owners were adamant about meeting the stringent IAQ standards, and we executed the testing to ensure that they were, indeed, met,” said Scalone.

From its inception, every component of the Center for Intelligent Buildings was developed with sustainability in mind. As a result, it is the first commercial building in Florida to earn the coveted LEED Platinum version 4 certification. The Platinum rating—the highest designation—was awarded under the stringent LEED green building program for building design and construction from the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We take great pride in knowing that Hill York’s HVAC installation in the Center for Intelligent Buildings project helped the building achieve efficiency ratings that contributed to obtaining the LEED Platinum v4 certification,” Phillabaum said. “As a testament to this, we have used the facility to host events for various professional organizations that we support, and we held our annual sales meeting there.”

Phillabaum has also used the Center as a selling tool, taking prospective clients on tours of the facility to illustrate the level of craftsmanship, skill, and expertise involved. “It’s a project that distinguishes Hill York and clearly defines who we are,” he concluded.

For more information, visit www.carrier.com/commercial.

Design Flexibility of Daikin Applied Solutions Ensures Comfort, Efficiency for New York School

Built in the 1950s, White Plains High School in New York has stood the test of time, so when an HVAC upgrade was needed, school administrators wanted to keep it simple—and minimize cost and downtime. They selected Daikin Applied variable refrigerant volume (VRV) solutions to replace their aging systems with new, more efficient ones that fit the bill. Now, the school not only has a comfortable climate but also a more energy-efficient, quieter, and healthier classroom environment.

Because of structural beams blocking condenser airflow, White Plains High School used Daikin Applied’s VRV IV heat pump condensers to reject heat in a remote location. The units’ compact footprint provided multiple options for placement at ground level, where they could be installed with short, noninvasive refrigerant pipe runs.

Overcoming Hurdles

White Plains High School’s B-Wing is one of two original structures on campus and leverages the common architectural design methods of the era in which it was built. Exterior structural beams have ensured the integrity of the 12,000-square-foot building over time. However, the original design posed some challenges when it came to updating the HVAC system.

School administrators knew they wanted a like-for-like replacement of the current unit ventilators (UVs) to minimize downtime, avoid the added expense associated with designing a new solution, and continue using the existing hot water system. In designing the replacement system, it was recognized that the exterior structural beams were blocking the free-air space for the new, more efficient compressorized UV design, which required higher condenser airflow than the older UV models.

To eliminate the need for condenser airflow, the school installed Daikin Applied UVs, which come with factory-installed electronic expansion valves (EEVs) and use remote Daikin VRV IV heat pump condensing units. These UVs can bring up to 100-percent outside air directly into the classroom, and without the need for condenser airflow, the existing louver opening was sufficient.

The VRV condensers were placed outside on ground level, where there is ample space and airflow to reject heat in cooling mode. The UVs were also able to use the existing hot water heating system during the cold New York winters. The UVs were ideal for the school because they allow for individual control of heating and cooling and direct integration of fresh air into the classroom.

The design included demand control ventilation, a feature which increased operating efficiency for the school and translates into dollars saved for the district. EEVs in the system modulate the precise amount of refrigerant to each zone, meeting the requested set point in a gradual and efficient manner. The demand control ventilation feature continuously monitors carbon dioxide levels in the classrooms and brings in fresh air accordingly, optimizing the volume of outside air supplied to the space and reducing energy waste.

The single air filter in each unit removes particulate from outside air before it is conditioned and supplied to the classrooms. The filter is easy to access and replace, easing the burden on facilities staff.

Comfortable and Quiet

Daikin’s ductless solutions also mean less noise in the school. The absence of ductwork removes potential audible distractions such as rattling, humming, and buzzing. The outdoor air processing capability bolsters indoor air quality, creating better learning environments Daikin VRV IV condensing units also played a large part in providing an environment that promotes productivity. The VRV IV’s compact footprint offered multiple options for placement, and the best choice was at ground level, where the units could be installed with short, noninvasive refrigerant pipe runs.

VRV condensers come with a corrosion-resistant coating, test-rated for 1,000 hours of salt spray, which makes the equipment suitable for harsh weather and coastal areas such as White Plains, NY. The hydrophilic coating also washes away dirt after rainfall, further extending the life of the system.

White Plains’ Director of Facilities, Frank Stefanelli, was pleased with the solution Daikin provided, adding that the students are the ones who are most thrilled. Before the upgrade, “We got many calls from students and teachers saying that the classrooms were too warm,” said Stefanelli.

“When I went to walk the B-Wing you could see the kids were sweating,” he continued. “Even in the winter, the rooms would get too warm from the lack of temperature control. It pained me to see the windows open on my way home from work.” This winter however, the windows have been closed, and students are thankful for the enhanced comfort delivered by Daikin.

For more information, visit www.daikinapplied.com. MCAA thanks the Daikin Group for being a benefactor of MCAA19 and supplying beverages on Tuesday evening.

ACCO Installs Daikin Self-Contained HVAC Systems, Helps 49ers Stadium Score LEED Gold

By working closely with Daikin on design and modeling, ACCO Engineered Systems successfully installed 875,000 tons of sheet metal, miles of condenser and hot-water piping, and 21 large-capacity Daikin Self-Contained air conditioning (AC) units on a fast-track schedule with no room for delays. The energy-efficient HVAC systems helped the premier $1.2-billion Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, become the first NFL stadium to achieve LEED® Gold certification.

Tall Order, Short Timeline

Stadium construction began in April 2012 and was scheduled to finish in time for the first preseason 49ers game in August 2014. The South Bay microclimate and energy performance were chief considerations for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Thermal comfort of the football players and visitors’ comfort were also considerations.

A condenser, tower water system for heat rejection of the packaged AC units, and a highly efficient heat pump for the domestic hot water system were determined to be the best HVAC solution for the stadium. Mechanical equipment also had to meet the energy performance requirements for LEED Gold certification and the California Energy Commission’s Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

The entire HVAC system was specified as variable flow with enhanced controls to optimize the performance and improve energy savings. The ventilation system was specified as centralized VAV with airside economizer. As part of the energy modeling, the equipment and system evaluation was critical because of the unique peak demand of event days, such as football games and concerts.

Daikin water-cooled Self-Contained AC units were the clear choice given the equipment specifications and “required on job” dates. While commercial grade AC equipment was the engineering baseline, the flexibility of using an original equipment manufacturer was important so that contractors could incorporate preheat coils, air flow measuring stations, and control interfaces such as smoke control. The efficiency of the Daikin Self-Contained AC units and the refrigerant specifications exceeded the minimum requirements for Title 24 standards.

Daikin worked closely with ACCO by providing 3D CAD files of the 100-ton water-cooled Self-Contained AC units to assist with the modeling of the equipment rooms, ductwork, and piping systems, which made for a smooth installation process.

Equipment room space was at a premium both in the belly of the stadium and in the upper luxury suites and office areas. The compact design of the 21 large-capacity Self-Contained AC units, sized up to 100 tons each, enabled the designers to save space in the equipment rooms by having fewer units. The units were semi-customized to include preheat coils for winter conditions. Normally, the hot water coils would be ordered separately. For this project, the Daikin engineers were able to insert the hot water coil into the standard cabinet, which also saved space. In addition, some of the stadium mechanical rooms are located near occupied spaces; the plenum fans on the Daikin Self-Contained AC units generate less noise than similar models of other manufacturers, so they met the stadium’s low noise requirement.

Complex Construction Schedule

To speed the construction effort, Levi’s Stadium was developed in a sequenced plan for logistics, stocking, and installation. The facility was built as three
independent projects running concurrently: suite tower section, bowl side (main and upper concourses), and event level (lower bowl). The construction sequence was incorporated as part of the engineering efforts to avoid start-up issues, given the common ductwork and piping systems between the suite tower, bowl side, and event level.

ACCO installed the sheet metal, piping, and HVAC systems, maintaining cleanliness in compliance with indoor air quality standards for LEED certification. Daikin worked closely with ACCO by providing 3D CAD files of the 100-ton water-cooled Self-Contained AC units to assist with the modeling of the equipment rooms, ductwork, and piping systems. The modeling and design efforts made for a smooth installation process.

Building the stadium required complex sequencing among various trades. ACCO alone employed 125 engineers and field personnel to design and install the sheet metal and condenser and hot-water piping. Deliveries of materials and equipment, including preassembled ducts and piping components, were made on a just-in-time basis, with multiple daily transfers made to the jobsite from a nearby receiving yard.

On-Time Opening

As part of the ventilation system start-up, local and factory Daikin technicians were on site to verify the packaged AC unit controls. Work included preparing the interfaces to the stadium’s building automation systems (BAS), firmware updates, and operational settings among numerous HVAC applications. Start-up and commissioning efforts began in summer 2013 to ensure the entire construction and operations teams were synced for a successful delivery of MEP, various BAS, and food service systems. Systems were operational in time for the stadium’s soft-opening event in April 2014 to include commissary and other early move-in spaces.

After a record-setting and fast-tracked building process, Levi’s Stadium hosted the first 49ers preseason game and received LEED Gold Certification for Building Design and Construction of a new facility. Visitors can view a live dashboard display, located inside the stadium near the 49ers Museum, featuring current energy measurements, water and air monitors, and other dynamic green features.

After the inaugural season in 2014, the HVAC systems were reevaluated, and performance was compared with the energy modeling. The Daikin Self-Contained units performed as specified.

On February 7, 2016, Levi’s Stadium was the proud host of Super Bowl 50 and accommodated nearly 72,000 visitors.

For more information, visit www.DaikinApplied.com.

Daikin Modular Central Plants Speed Installation, Eliminate Downtime for Data Center

With fast installation as high a priority as efficient cooling, Herakles Data of Sacramento, CA, chose pre-engineered, pre-assembled Daikin Modular Central Plants to meet their cooling demands. “Our number-one requirement in selecting a new system was speed,” said Laurence Stancil, director of facilities at Herakles Data. “The new cooling system had to be installed and operating as fast as possible, with minimal interruption.”

Four Daikin modular systems were successfully installed in just one week, resulting in no downtime for the data center. Moreover, the new systems
slashed energy use, earning Herakles Data a substantial municipal rebate.

Cooling Is Critical

Positioning itself as the ultimate data center, Herakles Data offers uninterruptible power, improved cooling, and redundant internet bandwidth to its co-location customers seeking to outsource their primary or disaster recovery IT infrastructure. At a co-location data center, corporations rent specific spaces to operate their data servers in a common physical location alongside the servers of other companies.

“Final site assembly was a very clean process—fast, easy, and efficient. … I would never do it the old way again.”

—Laurence Stancil, Director of Facilities, Herakles Data

With all the critical servers housed in the facility generating heat, “cooling is essential to our business,” said Stancil. “In fact it’s the number-two essential factor after uninterrupted power for our customers.”

Herakles Data President and CEO Lou Kirchner stressed how important cooling is to their success. “We’ve had customers come to us after leaving a previous data center because cooling was inadequate or unreliable,” Kirchner said. “And with the newer servers being more powerful and more compact than ever, they produce even more heat. With our facility near 100-percent capacity, it’s critical that our cooling capacity be able to handle the heat of the newest generation of servers.”

Herakles Data realized that its rapid business growth meant that it had outgrown the capacity of its existing four air-cooled Daikin chillers. It now needed additional capacity that could meet the demands of its mission-critical interior space and ambient temperatures that typically reach 95° F during the summer. “Under California’s Title 24 standards, we couldn’t add a fifth chiller to meet our growing capacity needs, so we had to consider alternatives outside the box,” said Stancil.

“Modular central plants are a simple yet brilliant solution to today’s business requirement for consistent, quality design and zero downtime. It’s the only way to go.”

—Lou Kirchner, President and CEO, Herakles Data

A Pre-Engineered, Pre-Assembled Solution

Herakles Data evaluated its alternatives and selected Daikin Modular Central Plants. Modular central plants are pre-engineered and pre-assembled, with the chiller, pumps, cooling tower, and interconnected piping from one supplier, and then shipped to the jobsite for final assembly. Their unique modular configuration reduces site assembly time compared with traditional “site built” cooling plants, with the chiller, cooling tower, pumps, and piping all coming from separate sources.

Stancil was initially skeptical of the modular central plant concept, but the installation process made him a believer. “Our first four modular ventral plants were dropped, bolted, and wired—fully assembled—in a week. I’d compare it to changing a propeller in flight,” Stancil said. “You have to get it right the first time. And we did. Final site assembly was a very clean process—fast, easy, and efficient.”

It was so fast and easy that Stancil now prefers the modular central plant concept to the traditional site-built central cooling plant. “I would never do it the old way again,” he said.

Kirchner was especially pleased that the one-week installation process resulted in zero downtime for the data center. “It was seamless for our customers,” said Kirchner.

Capacity Goals Surpassed

A total of six Daikin Modular Central Plants provide chilled water to 59 computer room air conditioning units in the 52,500-square-foot data center. Each of the modules consists of a 500-ton Daikin centrifugal compressor water chiller pre-engineered and pre-assembled with pumps, piping, cooling tower, control panel, and associated water treatment system.

Kirchner’s original goal of increased cooling capacity to meet Herakles Data’s projected growth was not only achieved, but also surpassed. “We provide N+1 business solutions for our customers, meaning we meet their needs plus provide redundancy,” he said. “Today, however, we have surpassed that goal, because we typically run only two of the four original modular central plants. That results in 2N cooling capacity today available to our data center customers.”

Daikin Modular Central Plants - Interior View
Each of the Daikin Modular Central Plants consists of a 500-ton Daikin centrifugal chiller pre-engineered with pumps, piping, cooling tower, control panel and associated water treatment system. Because they were pre-assembled, these four modules were successfully installed in just one week, resulting in no downtime for Herakles Data.

Energy Savings a Bonus

In addition to fast-track construction and commissioning, the new Daikin Modular Central Plants resulted in impressive energy savings compared with the old system. “Our old system used 3,600 kilowatt hours (kWh)/ton a day; the new system uses 2,800 kWh/ton a day for a 22-percent reduction in energy,” Stancil noted. That reduced energy usage earned Herakles Data a $50,000-rebate from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District for the new system.

With the energy savings, the benefits of the Daikin Modular Central Plant extend beyond the initial benefits of the fast, easy installation. “Those energy savings were a very good bonus,” Stancil said. “With our new modular central plants, we not only got the increased capacity that we needed, we also got significant energy savings over the life of the equipment.”

Kirchner sums up the entire experience as phenomenal. “Modular central plants are a simple yet brilliant solution to today’s business requirement for consistent, quality design and zero downtime. It’s the only way to go.”

For more information, visit www.DaikinApplied.comMCAA thanks Daikin Group for being a benefactor of MCAA18 and providing beverages on Wednesday evening.

CFI Mechanical, Carrier Work Together to Keep School on Schedule

Carrier Equipment Expected to Deliver High Efficiency with Low Maintenance for Houston’s Northside High School

Close coordination with Carrier on a “just-in-time” delivery schedule is helping CFI Mechanical keep a Houston school renovation project on track while saving the contractor installation time and costs. By using Carrier HVAC systems, CFI mechanical is also meeting the school’s energy-efficiency goals.

Growing Student Body

The Houston Independent School District (ISD) is the largest school district in Texas, and the seventh largest in the United States. The population of Houston has increased significantly in recent years. In 2012, Houston voters approved a $1.89-billion bond to repair or replace 44 schools, including Northside High School. Houston-based CFI Mechanical was selected to deliver a high-efficiency, low-maintenance HVAC system solution for Northside.

CFI Worker Installs Carrier Equipment
A CFI Mechanical technician installs a motor for a new air handling unit for Northside High School, one of several Carrier products selected to provide high-efficiency, low maintenance cooling in warm, humid Houston—and to help the school qualify for LEED status.

The approximately $66-million renovation is extending the footprint of the original 1926 school building and its 1978 addition to provide much-needed space for 1,500 to 1,700 students in grades 9–12. In addition to its general education curriculum, the school provides a magnet program for culinary arts and hotel management. CFI Mechanical chose Carrier equipment to provide Northside High School with reliable and precise comfort for its students, faculty, and staff, with a minimum of time and effort invested by the school’s maintenance staff. They also recognized that Carrier products would contribute to the Houston ISD’s goal of building to LEED® standards.

 

Tried and True

Given Houston’s warm and humid climate, the HVAC system for Northside must address temperature, humidity, and indoor air quality in every space within the facility. Houston ISD had previously chosen Carrier equipment for other projects, so district leaders were familiar with Carrier quality and reliability. When the HVAC system was being selected for the Northside High School expansion project, Carrier became the basis of design.

However, Carrier did not rest on their laurels. Ron Dauzat, senior project manager at CFI Mechanical, said, “Carrier was very competitive at bid time.” CFI Mechanical has completed successful installations in diverse sectors of the private, public, and government markets. They recognize that each project is unique, so they perform a complete analysis of individual job conditions prior to installation.

With school fully in session, meeting the HVAC equipment delivery needs of the Northside High School project required a coordinated effort between Carrier and CFI Mechanical. As the full project will take approximately 18 months to complete, multiple releases and delivery of Carrier’s equipment was essential. Precise just-in-time delivery of the necessary HVAC components to the project’s lay-down areas facilitated CFI Mechanical’s project schedule—saving the contractor both time and related installation costs. Required delivery times that range between 48 and 72 hours entail ongoing communication between Carrier and CFI.

A Carrier AquaEdge® 23XRV screw chiller and AERO® 39MW and 39S series air handling units were specified to serve the main areas of the building, including a facility for the culinary arts students, along with several Comfort™ 24ACC air conditioning units to serve ancillary spaces not on the chilled water loop.

CFI Worker Installs Carrier Equipment
CFI Mechanical chose Carrier equipment, such as the air handling unit shown here, to provide Houston’s Northside High School with reliable and precise comfort for its students, faculty, and staff, with a minimum of time and effort invested by the school’s maintenance staff.

High Efficiency, Low Maintenance

During the planning stages, project engineers visited Carrier’s Green Done Easy event at their factory in Charlotte, NC, where they saw the Carrier 23XRV screw chiller in action and realized the benefits it would bring to the school. The Carrier AquaEdge 23XRV screw chiller is a high-efficiency, variable-speed, water cooled chiller that uses non-ozone-depleting R-134a refrigerant. It provides integrated part-load values as low as 0.299 and is designed for both long-term reliability and minimal maintenance. The AERO 39MW air handling units offer variable frequency drives for excellent part-load efficiencies and include features such as double-wall casing for ease of cleaning.

To give the school’s staff precise comfort control in real time, the new HVAC system at Northside High School will have digital controls to integrate all its new and legacy HVAC equipment components. Rusty Bell, project manager at CFI Mechanical, said, “The BACnet® controls will enable us to integrate both the new and existing HVAC equipment into one network that we can optimize for efficiency. The digital controls will also make it easier to expand the system in the future if that becomes necessary.”

Back to School in 2018

Fortunately, Northside High School was not damaged by Hurricane Harvey when it struck Houston in August of 2017, and construction is on schedule. “We’re piping up the chiller right now and will be phasing in the new equipment with the existing system,” said Bell.

The Northside High School project represents the successful combination of a quality-oriented contractor and Carrier products. CFI Mechanical’s demand for high quality in all phases of their operation, coupled with ongoing communication and coordination with Carrier, will translate into a productive educational environment for Northside’s students, faculty, and staff. Additionally, CFI Mechanical will deliver an efficient, energy-saving, and precise system solution that will help positively impact the school’s bottom line.

The finished building is expected to be ready for students by next fall, providing spacious, modern facilities for all the students of Northside and enabling the Houston ISD to continue pursuing their goal of providing top-quality education to their diverse and growing student body.

For more information, visit www.carrier.com/carrier/en/us/.  MCAA thanks Carrier Corporation for being a major sponsor of MCAA18 and co-sponsoring the Golf Tournament.

IMI Empowers Foremen With Rhumbix, Improves Productivity in the Field and Home Office

Manual collection of paper time cards in the field is prone to errors, takes too much time, and, most importantly, takes attention away from important jobs in the field. Since rolling out Rhumbix so their foremen could go paperless, Independent Mechanical Industries, Inc. (IMI) has found, “Foremen use the Rhumbix app on their iPhones to record time cards in just minutes, [which] allows them to clear their minds and attack the work in front of them,” said David Reynolds, IMI vice president.

Reynolds and the executive team at IMI, based in Illinois, are constantly looking for new tools for their project teams in the field to “help them run their jobs more efficiently,” he said. Furthermore, IMI wants to attract and retain the best people in the business. “We want to show our field that IMI is advancing in terms of using technology and tools they need. I hope they see IMI as the best place for them to continue their career,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds is the fourth generation of his family to work at IMI. One of his responsibilities as vice president is overseeing operations and information technology. He led the effort to incorporate Rhumbix as a key tool for IMI’s foremen and the home office.

Since rolling out Rhumbix, “all I need to do is log into the Rhumbix dashboard and review hours. I don’t have to put out fires anymore.”

—David Reynolds, Vice President, IMI

Before Rhumbix, “We were faxing over time sheets or snapping pictures on cell phones and sending them in. Sometimes the picture or fax quality wasn’t great either,” Reynolds noted. “The result could be as simple as the payroll clerk not being able to read the timecard, or worse, the time is incorrectly entered and a check gets cut for incorrect time. On top of this, and most importantly, the back-and-forth between payroll and our foremen on correcting errors took valuable time away from production. That’s too much time taken away from the office and the field correcting errors.”

“[Rhumbix] is eliminating errors, saves time, and frees up our payroll clerk for other important jobs.”

—David Reynolds, Vice President, IMI

Reynolds continued, “The ability [of Rhumbix] to eliminate errors from reporting time from the field to the home office was a major draw for IMI to start using Rhumbix.

“At the Home Office, Rhumbix is, without question, an efficiency improvement and timesaver,” said Reynolds. “We simply upload an Excel file from Rhumbix right into our accounting software
(Viewpoint) for payroll. [Rhumbix] is eliminating errors, saves time, and frees up our payroll clerk for other important jobs.”

Since rolling out Rhumbix, the time-card-to-payroll process at IMI runs more smoothly and does not require costly reconciliation. “I’ve been able to become more handsoff. … All I need to do is log into the Rhumbix dashboard and review hours. I don’t have to put out fires anymore,” Reynolds stated.

IMI is continuing to roll out Rhumbix to additional foremen, and the company is seeing even more time go back into production-based activities. Furthermore, IMI is reviewing Rhumbix Pro, which introduces automated reports and dashboards to measure budget vs. actual production data.

“We want to make sure our field knows that IMI is going to give them the best tools to run their job as smoothly as possible,” Reynolds observed.

For more information, visit www.rhumbix.com.

MCAA welcomes Rhumbix as a new member.

John E. Green Company Saves Installation Time, Ensures Energy Efficiency With an Array of Johnson Controls Products

John E. Green Company (JEG) trusted its longtime partner, Johnson Controls, to help them meet the demands of Detroit Medical Center’s (DMC’s) new tower and identify products that could save the contractor installation time. YORK® YMC2 centrifugal magnetic drive chillers paired with the Metasys® building automation system (BAS) with Central Plant Optimization 10 (CPO10) optimized energy efficiency, while using YORK Solution Air Handling Units and SimplexGrinnell’s addressable notification system ensured speedy installation.

From JEG’s perspective, complex projects run better when working with trusted a partner that carries a diverse portfolio of products and technologies. “There’s a real nice synergy when there is one supplier across the different platforms. Having one person at the forefront makes a much smoother process overall,” Chief Operating Officer Rob Martin said.

The new $155-million tower at DMC’s Children’s Hospital of Michigan in the heart of Detroit is a six-story, 248,000-square-foot facility with state-of-the-art systems and technology. Hospital leaders never wavered in their quest to build a comfortable, safe, healing environment that optimized space, improved efficiencies, and reliably delivered leading pediatric care to 90,000 visitors a year. They gathered architects and designers to work with families, patients, and staff and then methodically evaluated needs and workflows—at one point building a cardboard mock-up of six floors of the proposed tower.

Armed with valuable input, leaders immersed themselves in an integrated design process to drive out waste and boost efficiency. DMC formed a team of key partners and contractors, all leaders in their industries, to carry their vision forward.

“There’s a real nice synergy when there is one supplier across
the different platforms. Having one person at the forefront
makes a much smoother process overall.”

—Rob Martin, Chief Operating Officer, John E. Green Company

Tackling Challenges Together

JEG and Johnson Controls have a long history of collaboration, which helped ensure success, according to Martin. “Nobody likes surprises,” Martin said. “It helps to work with a company who is familiar to you and provides technologically innovative products and solutions while meeting schedules and deadlines.”

While patients and families would never see the chilled water plant on the top floor of the new tower, the location raised some challenges. High-capacity chillers could produce enough sound to reach lower floors where children were recuperating. Johnson Controls and JEG chose two YORK YMC2 centrifugal magnetic drive chillers. The energy-efficient design could reduce noise by about 50 percent compared with other chillers on the market.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency

Reliability and energy efficient systems drove the discussion around other products and technologies. For example, chilled water plants can offer the greatest opportunity for energy savings—but only if configured and run correctly. The consulting engineer wanted a BAS that could capture that
energy savings throughout the lifecycle of the plant. Johnson Controls and JEG chose the Metasys BAS with CPO10. Instead of controlling a collection of independent components and controls, Metasys and CPO10 integrate and
harmonize the plant’s entire operation through documented best practices,
algorithms, and ASHRAE recommendations. With CPO10, Metasys can squeeze out five to 15 percent more energy savings compared with standard automation.

Addressing Other Concerns

With existing facilities staff stretched thin, to manage the additional space of the new tower, the new BAS needed to be intuitive and offer easy-to-use remote monitoring. The advanced graphics capabilities and new reporting features of Metasys make it easy for facility staff to view information by location, access
trends, and drill down on the cause of alarms.

Another concern was selecting air handling units with enough capacity and performance for the job. Customization drives up cost, so Johnson Controls proposed its YORK Solution Air Handling Unit, with standard features (factory-
mounted controls, humidifiers, and split coils) that meant installation onsite would happen much faster.

The fan array was also unique for a standard line. It included eight fans instead of one for system redundancy. If one fan went down, the hospital could still maintain 96-percent air flow. Redundancy is especially important in hospitals, because downtime is not an option when operating rooms or entire hospital wings are at risk.

To ensure patient safety, DMC needed redundancy and flexible features in a fire safety system, so SimplexGrinnell’s addressable notification system was selected. The system’s flexible wiring design could lower installation costs by 50 percent,
but addressable notification was also a key selling point. Fire notification testing can be upsetting to young patients and disrupt the peaceful, healing environment. The SimplexGrinnell system tests itself quietly in the background. Each device reports its location and status, giving facilities staff confidence that
the system is performing properly. SimplexGrinnelll is the JCI fire sprinkler
product line.

Benefits of Partnership

By the end of 2017, patients and staff will be completely moved in to the new critical care tower. Silently in the background, the products and technologies carefully chosen by key partners will support the extraordinary work of skilled clinicians and staff. Now, DMC’s Children’s Hospital of Michigan stands ready to
embrace the expanding needs of the communities they serve.

For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.

Daikin Rooftop Units Paired With Intelligent Equipment Protect Museum’s Collections

Remote Troubleshooting Ability Saves on Service Calls

To meet the stringent standards for climate control required to protect its treasured artwork and artifacts in storage, the University of California Berkeley’s Regatta Museum installed Daikin Rebel® commercial rooftop systems, paired with the Daikin Intelligent Equipment® solution that provides real-time data. Using the software solution saved time and money during the 6-week startup and commissioning process of a critical control application where rooftop package units are seldom used. “With some fine-tuning, Daikin optimized the control of the Rebel units to meet required tolerances of +/- 2 degrees and +/- 5-percent relative humidity,” said Matt Dodds, Daikin application engineer for commercial rooftop units.

For the major renovation of 21,000 square-feet of its warehouse space, the museum specified two 10-ton Daikin Rebel rooftop systems to maintain optimal cooling and tight humidity control. “The variable speed compressors on the Rebel rooftop units have the capability to provide temperature and humidity control at significantly less cost than the installed price of an air-cooled chiller desiccant system with storage tank,” said Daikin representative Steve Dobberstein.

University of California Berkeley’s Regatta Museum’s storage facilities contain thousands of historic artifacts. The museum installed Daikin Rebel commercial rooftop systems paired with the Daikin Intelligent Equipment solution to meet its stringent standards for climate control and to preserve the integrity of the collection.

Each Rebel rooftop unit is connected to the Daikin Intelligent Equipment solution, which gives the museum real-time data it can use to anticipate and respond to operational needs. Intelligent Equipment is factory-installed, so there is no need to call in a controls-specific contractor during equipment installation. At the Regatta’s climate-controlled warehouse, Intelligent Equipment was used to calibrate the rooftop equipment during the commissioning process. Intelligent Equipment controls give almost 350 diagnostic points on the Rebel units. By allowing technicians to dive deep into unit diagnostics, Intelligent Equipment identifies potential problems. During the set-up for the museum, technicians could see and adjust equipment settings remotely, eliminating the need for the facility manager or building owner to make a service call.

“The customer trusted using Rebel rooftops and Intelligent Equipment in this climate-control application. The fact that a Daikin applications engineer halfway across the country can be virtually hands-on with Intelligent Equipment allowed us to sell the job,” Dobberstein said.

“Intelligent Equipment provides a window into basic trending information on base temperature and humidity and other control points such as compressor speed, fan speed, and unit state, giving engineers the ability to adjust the settings and troubleshoot,” said Dodds. “On a remote basis, you can go into the data for a deeper level of insight than you would by talking to a service technician standing by a unit on the roof.”

Dobberstein added, “Intelligent Equipment gave access to hundreds of diagnostic points unobtainable from the facility’s building automation system. [It] is also a helpful application because of the high cost of technician services,” noting the platform’s remote troubleshooting capability eliminated several service truck rolls during commissioning.

With highly secure Ethernet LAN or high-security cellular network connections available, the museum always knows that the only individuals accessing their equipment are those who keep their system running at its utmost peak efficiency.

For more information, visit www.DaikinApplied.com.

Apartment Complex Boosts Energy Efficiency by 20 Percent with Daikin Chillers

Owners Earn $62,000 Rebate from City Utility

Daikin Magnitude chillers maximized the return on investment through energy savings and utility rebates for the Washington, DC, apartment complex.

Owners of a Washington, DC, apartment complex undergoing renovation selected Daikin products for their reliability and energy-saving potential. The choice not only improved comfort and energy efficiency in the buildings but also netted a $62,000 rebate from the local electric utility, enhancing the owners’ return on investment.

The renovation involved 648 apartments in three 1960s-era buildings at Capitol Park Plaza and Twins in southwest Washington, DC. At nearly 20 years old, the four screw chillers serving the complex were near failure and no longer providing redundancy. “When looking at capital improvements, my goal is to try to maximize return through savings,” said Brian Wilson, owner with Capitol Park Apartments LP in Middleburg, VA. “I needed research. In looking at who did what, it became clear Daikin had our solution with its magnetic bearing technology.”

Analysis Aids Decision

Sean O’Brien, district service manager with Daikin, explained that Daikin offered the owners a complimentary in-depth energy study of the buildings. Panda Aumpansub, P.E., a Daikin representative energy performance engineer in Columbia, MD, conducted the analysis. “Her study gave owners an accurate view of the energy consumption and load requirements at Capitol Park with a lifecycle cost analysis on the proposed replacement equipment,” O’Brien said. Owners also moved forward with other energy-related improvements, such as lighting retrofits.

As an owner, Wilson appreciated touring the Daikin factory in Staunton, VA. “The entire Daikin organization is first-class, and it was validating to see the production of the chillers. Daikin has far and away the best technology, but also probably is the best organized group of people I’ve ever worked with,” he said. Wilson was impressed with the digitally controlled magnetic bearing system on the chiller compressors, which reduces maintenance costs. He also knew the variable frequency drives (VFDs) on the chiller’s dual compressors would contribute to significant energy savings over standard centrifugal chillers.

“The entire Daikin organization is first-class, and it was validating to see the production of the chillers. Daikin has far and away the best technology…”

—Brian Wilson, Owner, Capitol Park Apartments

For example, the two Magnitude chillers in the Plaza building can communicate with each other, so only one compressor on each of the chillers needs to be operated. The system can also easily be adjusted to meet the reduced demands of unoccupied spaces in the apartments during the day because of the VFDs.

Daikin Service Group provided installation and start-up of the chillers and air handlers, beginning in November 2014 and working in stages across the three buildings. Installers had limited access to the lower-level mechanical room, which required disassembly of the chillers prior to installation, including draining of the refrigerant system.

Daikin’s turnkey solution included a complimentary subscription to energy management software that allows the owners to remotely monitor the performance of their buildings at Capitol Park.

Efficiency Pays Off

Installers overcame the challenge of limited access to a lower-level mechanical room with carefully planned coordination.

The chillers have been fully operational at Capitol Park since April 2015. “I think everybody has seen the improvement on the consistency of comfort,” said Wilson. “Before, in really hot months, on the higher levels of the buildings, the old chillers couldn’t cool enough. We don’t have that problem anymore with the Daikin chillers.” Wilson frequently monitors electrical usage of the entire complex through the energy management software portal and values the access to actual consumption data, which allows him to audit bills from the electrical utility. “The ability to manage your costs on a real-time basis is quite significant, and it’s really helpful from an environmental standpoint to see how you stack up against the rest of the country,” he said. Wilson pointed out that the new Daikin chillers have reduced cooling consumption by about 10 percent over the former chillers.

With the Daikin chillers, air handlers, lighting replacements, and other energy improvements, the Capitol Park complex is 15–20 percent more efficient than similar buildings across the country. The energy-efficient chillers have contributed to impressive energy savings. Calculations by the energy management software over two periods (totaling about eight months in the 2015 and 2016 cooling seasons across the complex) reveal consumption savings of 550,160.39 kilowatts per hour (kWh), reflecting electric utility cost savings of $53,430.63—the carbon equivalent of taking about 81 cars off the road. Owners expect even greater savings once an upgrade is made to a cooling tower.

Based on the kWh savings of new HVAC equipment, owners received a $62,000 rebate from the District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility, which further accelerates the owners’ return on investment in the new chillers.

For more information, visit www.DaikinApplied.com. MCAA thanks Daikin Group for being a benefactor of MCAA 2017 and providing beverages on Wednesday evening.

Honeywell’s Detailed Guide to Retrofitting R-22 AC Units

With the phase out of R-22 by 2020 driving up pricing, contractors are looking for more options to retrofit R-22 air conditioning (AC) units without having to change the oil. “Generally speaking, you can see system improvements after a retrofit as a result of recommissioning the equipment,” said Ron Vogl, global technical marketing and services manager for Honeywell Refrigerants.

“These performance improvements are the result of properly setting the controls and system operating valves such as thermal expansion controls, which may have wandered from setpoint due to lack of maintenance, etc.,” Vogl explained.

“For proper performance, it is a must to evaluate the head pressure management controls (if present) during the retrofit. Setting up the evaporator operating pressure and the system’s condensing pressures for the selected replacement’s specific pressure-temperature relationship is imperative. Leaving R-22 set-points will lead to subpar performance or increased energy consumption.

“Technicians must be aware that all new HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) substitutes for R-22 are blends and possess glide. The technician must get comfortable with terms such as ‘bubble’ and ‘dew’ and know which values to apply and how,” Vogl continued.

In retrofitting an existing air conditioning system, following a systematic albeit simple series of steps can help ensure successful completion of the job.

Record Baseline Data

Compare the current system operating data with normal operating data before any hardware changes are made. Compare deficiencies, if any, and make note of the final data as a performance baseline, including superheat and subcooling temperature and pressure measurements throughout the system.

Isolate R-22 Refrigerant Charge

Remove the HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) refrigerant charge from the system with an approved recovery machine that can meet or exceed the required evacuation levels and collect it in a recovery cylinder. Record the weight. Do not vent the refrigerant.

Choose Compressor Lubricant

Honeywell recommends using a miscible lubricant approved by the compressor manufacturer. In this case, polyolester (POE) oil is recommended for R-422D. A lubricant change is warranted when it is contaminated or indicates high levels of acidity.

Evaluate the Expansion Device

Consult with the equipment manufacturer before retrofitting. Most HCFC-22 AC systems with either expansion valves or capillary tubes will operate satisfactorily with Honeywell’s Genetron® 422D (R-422D).

Replace the Filter Drier

Replacement is a recommended service practice. Consult with your wholesaler to ensure that the replacement filter drier (loose-fill/solid-core) is compatible with the Honeywell refrigerant being used.

Reconnect the System and Evacuate

Reconnect and evacuate the system using normal service practices. A full vacuum of 1,000 microns or less is recommended for evacuating from both sides of the system. Recharge the system (note that pounds of 422D equals pounds of original refrigerant multiplied by 70.9 and divided by 73.9).

Check the System for Leaks

Normal service practices can help identify leaks from the system and rectify them before retrofitting.

Charge System with Refrigerant

Replace HCFC-22 with an R-422D refrigerant, such as Genetron 422D, using the same charging procedures as for the refrigerant being replaced. It is important to keep in mind that Genetron 422D is a blended refrigerant and should be charged by removing only liquid from the cylinder.

Check System Operation

Start the system and wait for the operating conditions to stabilize. If the system indicates an undercharge, add refrigerant in increments of 5 percent by weight of the original charge until the desired conditions are established. Adjust to obtain superheat values similar to the original operation.

Label Components and System

Upon completion, label the system components for identification of the refrigerant and specify the type of lubricant (by brand name) in the system. These labels will be a useful reference during future servicing of the equipment.

Other Quick Tips

  • Never vapor charge the system with vapor from a 400-series.
  • When changing to an HFCmiscible lubricant, particularly to a more polar lubricant such as POE oil, it may be beneficial to add a suction line filter.
  • Change any system O-rings, including Schrader valves.
  • Attempting to evacuate a system with the pump connected only to the low side of the system will not adequately remove moisture and noncondensables such as air. Use a good electronic gauge to measure the vacuum. An accurate reading cannot be made with a refrigeration gauge.
  • To avoid overcharging, it is best to charge the system by first measuring the operating conditions (including discharge and suction pressures, suction line temperature, compressor amps, superheat, subcooling) instead of using the liquid line sight glass as a guide.

For more information, visit www.honeywell-refrigerants.com or call 800-631-8138.

You can watch a step-by-step guide to the retrofit process, “Genetron® 422D: The No-Oil-Change R-22 Retrofit Solution for A/C,” on YouTube.

Egan Company Earns High Marks for University Installation of Daikin Rebel Comfort Control

By installing Daikin Applied highly efficient Rebel rooftop units, Egan Company overcame time challenges and space constraints, providing Bethel University with a more effective, energy-saving solution to its HVAC needs. Installation of the units was phased to meet the university’s budget and had to take place when dorms were not occupied. Egan Company had to use existing openings on the roof. The units were installed in August 2013, August 2014, and March 2015.

Demands of Dorm Life

Egan Company found the Daikin Rebel rooftop unit improved student comfort and delivered substantial energy savings thanks to an energy recovery wheel that draws 60 percent more humidity from the air stream.
Egan Company found the Daikin Rebel rooftop unit improved student comfort and delivered substantial energy savings thanks to an energy recovery wheel that draws 60 percent more humidity from the air stream.

Bethel University, a topranked, evangelical Christian university based in St. Paul, MN, needed to replace rooftop equipment original to two nearly identical residence halls built in 1977. “One of the driving forces to replacing the old units was trying to get better ventilation, drier air, and make it more comfortable inside the dorm rooms,” said Chuck Broz, HVAC technician supervisor at Bethel University.

The four-story Bodien residence hall sits on a hillside and is connected to the three-story Edgren hall by a common student lounge in the middle of the complex. While the dorm rooms in the 52,720-square-foot complex are served by existing McQuay (now Daikin Applied) fan coils (many of which were replaced in the late 1990s), student life, showers, and the variable Minnesota climate meant the existing rooftop units that supply dedicated outside air had to work extra hard to keep pace.

Energy-Efficient Solution

Selecting the highly efficient Rebel rooftops allowed the university to bypass using large amounts of chilled water from its central chiller plants in a two-pipe system to take advantage of the direct expansion (DX) technology in the new Rebel rooftop units. “One of the biggest reasons we selected the Rebel units was to get, from the DX side, significant efficiency while being able to put in the reheat air with very little moisture content,” Broz said.

The seven-ton Rebel rooftop units provide high part-load efficiencies at 20.6 IEER (integrated energy efficiency ratio), which surpasses ASHRAE’s 90.1 standard by 84 percent. “Rebel has some of the highest IEER ratings in the rooftop market because of the inverter compressors.

In combination with the energy recovery wheels (ERWs), these units are 60 percent more effective at removing moisture from the air,” said Matt Dodds, applications engineer at Daikin Applied.

Broz credits the mechanical installation services by Egan Company along with the Daikin Service Group as critical to the success of the project. “Everyone’s level of effort— including installing new curbs, pulling the old equipment off, and installation of the electrical and hot water lines—made this a very efficient and well-done installation job,” Broz said.

In addition, two of the Rebels—one on each of the buildings—feature Daikin’s Intelligent Equipment® control solution for real-time data that benchmarks performance and monitors system operation. “Our energy managers use Intelligent Equipment to gather data, and we use it to see the detail of operational data and monitor the units. We also appreciate that we can connect remotely to the units on laptop or smartphone,” Broz said.

A+ Results

Egan Company managed time constraints and space restrictions for Bethel University’s HVAC upgrade with Daikin Rebel units, which are a big improvement over the old units, according to Chuck Broz, HVAC technician supervisor at Bethel.
Egan Company managed time constraints and space restrictions for Bethel University’s HVAC upgrade with Daikin Rebel units, which are a big improvement over the old units, according to Chuck Broz, HVAC technician supervisor at Bethel.

Bethel University administrators and its students are pleased with the comfort levels. Broz said the difference in humidity levels across the two buildings was dramatic in the early operation of the new Rebels in one residence hall versus the other that still operated with the original rooftop equipment. “We’ve maintained everything below 55-percent humidity with the Rebel unit. With our existing equipment, we were well over 80-percent humidity throughout the building space, even with the fan coils in the dorm rooms, because various doors are left open.”

Quiet, unimpeded operation adds additional quality to the student’s studying and living conditions. Broz noted that the extremely-low-audible output of the Rebel units goes unnoticed by students. “The Rebel units are very quiet due to the inverter compressor technology,” he said.

Energy savings are significant given reduced natural gas consumption with less reliance on the chiller plants that serve the complex as well as the reduced electrical consumption of the Rebels versus existing rooftops.

Notably, the ERW technology on the Rebels (which heats up outside air) provides significant energy savings, especially during Minnesota’s cold winter months.

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Daikin’s Intelligent Equipment control solution allows Bethel University to gather data remotely and monitor performance and operation 24/7.

“In the winter, we’ll use Intelligent Equipment to look at the energy side to optimize use of the energy wheels, instead of using building heat, especially as it relates to the restrooms and showers. In the summer, we use Intelligent Equipment to see if we’re doing an effective job of keeping the dewpoint and humidity at low levels,” Broz said.

Broz recommends Daikin for not only HVAC equipment, but also service solutions, adding, “The Daikin Service Group crew is very good, and we appreciate that they call to make sure the equipment is running well.” Bethel University was so pleased with the performance of its Rebel units that it ordered a new four-ton Rebel rooftop unit to serve its new, state-of-the-art wellness center, which houses its fitness center and exercise science program and opened in fall 2015.

For more information, visit www.DaikinApplied.com.

Henson Robinson Elects Carrier for Comfort at Historic Lincoln Home

Called on by the National Park Service to modernize the HVAC system of the home of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, IL, Henson Robinson relied on its expertise with historical sites and on Carrier HVAC products to upgrade the system without disrupting visitors or disturbing the site. Despite the challenges, the project went smoothly.

The Lincoln Home National Historic Site has a mission to preserve, protect, and interpret the house where Lincoln and his family lived for 17 years prior to his election to the presidency of the United States. The Lincoln Home, which emphasizes the relevance of Lincoln’s life to people living today, provides an educational experience for more than 200,000 visitors a year, in addition to preserving numerous historical furnishings and artifacts associated with Lincoln. Historical accuracy and period-appropriate appearance are important goals for the facility, which replicates the home’s appearance in 1860, when the Lincolns moved to Washington, DC.

Because Willis Carrier did not invent modern air conditioning until 1902, several decades after Lincoln’s lifetime, the original Carrier HVAC system at the home was cleverly concealed to provide appropriate conditions while hiding any traces of the modern air delivery system, which is located in the security railings. The existing HVAC system had been in service for 25 years, longer than its expected lifetime, so the facilities staff sought to replace it.

Dale Phillips, superintendent at the site, said, “The project was important to the Lincoln Home National Historical Site because it allowed us to accomplish one of our primary goals, which is the long-term protection of the Lincoln Home and its contents for future generations.”

The Lincoln Home remained open to the public while renovations took place. Working in the basement and yard, Henson Robinson disassembled and removed the old HVAC equipment and replaced it with a Carrier AquaSnap® 30RA air-cooled chiller and an Aero® 39M air handler. The air handler was installed in the basement of the historic home, while the chiller was placed in a modern but period-designed outbuilding that also serves as a warehouse for artifacts not currently needed for display. The buried coolant loop that connected the original chiller and air handler was also updated, necessitating the services of an archaeologist to oversee the digging in the yard, in case the contractors found any historical objects.

The Aero 39MN air handler includes an electric heater, so the unit is able to provide both heating and cooling to the Lincoln Home. In an interesting adaptation, fresh air enters the system via dampers in an old chimney. Two dehumidifiers and a steam-powered humidifier serve to keep the relative humidity at the target 50 percent ideal for both human health and artifact preservation. In the hot and humid summer months typical of Springfield, the AquaSnap 30RA chiller provides additional cooling capacity by sending chilled water to the air handler via the loop buried under the yard.

Mark Patrick, project manager for Henson Robinson, said, “It was an interesting challenge to perform this installation with a minimum of disruption to the visitors and staff. The components of the air handler had to be delivered through a standard three-foot-wide door, and we could not so much as drill a hole without permission from the staff. However, the project was very successful, and we believe our founder, Henson Robinson—who himself was a neighbor of Lincoln’s and provided cutlery for the Union Army during the Civil War—would have been proud.”

For more information, call 800-CARRIER or visit carrier.com/commercial. MCAA thanks Carrier Corporation for being a major sponsor of MCAA 2016 and for cosponsoring the Annual Dessert Party featuring Andy Grammer and the Annual Golf Tournament.