Last year in Energy 2011 Kickoff I reported on a list of energy-saving opportunities for my office. The initial list of potential energy-saving projects seemed simple but turned out to take longer than expected. Then, government incentives kicked in and assessments for thermal imaging and other giveaways seemed to be prudent, but were they really necessary and practical?
After completing our initial lighting project, we opted for a "free energy audit" (Government subsidized through Utility Company). The assessment reviewed and rated each category, scaling 1 (High Priority) to 4 (Lowest Priority) for areas needing improvement:
Air Sealing: 1
Duct Leakage: 4
Insulation : 4
Windows & Doors: 2
HVAC Heating: 2
HVAC Cooling: 4
Water Heating: 4
Lighting: 4
Appliances: 3
Pumps, Motors: 1
Air Sealing--Sill plates, hatches, recessed fixtures and other potential sources of air leaks were inaccessible to do the kind of work suggested. One access panel was not insulated and all remaining improvements simply aren't practical or cost effective to entertain.
Duct Leakage--A couple of years prior to relocating our offices and going through the build-out of our offices we took the opportunity to insulate the trunk lines for the HVAC and to provide some modest sound proofing.
Insulation--We insulated the roof area with additional blown in fiber to up the R-Value from R18 to R60.
Windows & Doors--100% of our doors were replaced and only 30% of our windows are energy efficient.
HVAC Heating--Our system was replaced with an 80% efficient unit at the time and since then, the heating efficiencies have improved. It's not practical to replace again since the system is not near end of life.
HVAC Cooling--Our system was replaced with a unit rated at 13-SEER and is not practical to replace since the system is not near end of life.
Water Heating--Our solar hot water system passed with flying colors, or did it? (see below)
Lighting--There are 3 fixtures that have no viable alternative other than small incandescent bulbs that fit the fixtures. Everything else is LED, florescent or CFL.
Pumps--One pump is approaching end of life while the other is relatively new. Availability of an energy efficient pump is challenging.
Appliances--Two appliances were cited as not Energy Star.
Lessons learned about lighting: expect some snafus along the way. We consulted with Bulborama of Las Vegas, and I have to say these folks were extremely helpful. Lighting isn't as simple as just screwing in a bulb. We identified all lighting, types and types of fixtures and then spoke with the experts at Bulborama. We had to determine what kind of light color and intensity we wanted. Whether the lighting is to read by or for security or other uses--we identified each area. Our first replacement project went without a hitch; the second project for the remaining bulbs took a bit more back-and-forth but eventually was resolved.
Later, we replaced an older desktop computer towards the end of the year, and that concluded just a few projects for 2011.
Recently our HVAC contractor inspected and performed maintenance on our system and installed a hard-start kit consisting of a relay and capacitor that reduces the startup amperage hitting the HVAC unit and reduces compressor usage during the cooling months.
Energy assessments don't necessarily mean the recommendations will be practical or even cost effective. Our heating components are nowhere near life cycle replacement, and gaining a 9% increase in efficiency isn't going to net a return on the cost of a new system. The IT components were not even evaluated and I found this interesting. Still, I want to dump our voice mail/automated attendant gear and put the function in the cloud.
Then, just because you have solar hot water heating doesn't mean you are producing hot water cost effectively. We've learned from several geothermal companies that we can use waste heat from the geothermal system to also heat or pre-heat our water during the winter months when solar is not optimal. The geothermal system will also act as a dehumidifier, eliminating another component in our HVAC configuration.
The issues with the light bulbs may be attributed to the high volume that factories were producing to meet anticipated demand given the new laws that went into effect earlier.
For 2011, our electric consumption decreased by 4.5%. It was a lot of effort for 4.5 points but as I've written in the past, I'd rather build a power plant based on efficiency. The windows and doors are budgeted replacement projects and the HVAC system is about 7 years out for life cycle replacement. The appliances cited in the report will get replaced soon. Our research into pumps really hasn't produced anything that is notably energy efficient. Still, it was nice to get another set of eyes on what we're doing in the way of trying to be energy efficient.
How we end up faring this year is hard to say, but it's nice being almost below our 2008 consumption levels for energy. I'm still trying to squeeze what little more I can, but the most promising improvement seems to be geothermal, since it will net a faster ROI. The initial investment in geothermal is drilling, and then these costs may take longer to decrease as we try to gain installation efficiencies. While solar PV costs have dropped sharply, the US retailers wrestle with Chinese competitors hoping for import taxes to help their bidding. Then, permitting and inspecting processes add too much overhead to existing solar PV costs.
A lot can happen in technology rightly applied to energy efficiency during the next seven years. I'd have to see those changes long before I'll foot the expense for a solar PV power plant. The numbers just don't work for me. The last couple of years, the pitch changed to leasing and financing alternative energy power plants. Those costs erode the benefits and they just don't make sense when it's cheaper to be a little less efficient and more dependent upon the grid.
Natural gas power plants are beating out nuclear reactors because the cost to build is substantially cheaper and with oodles of natural gas, operators are building new power plants designed for natural gas. Diesel generators may not be as welcome as natural gas for data centers that are popping up all over the planet. Flywheel technology is great for the big loads but if it ever scaled for everyone else, then the battery backup business could take a dent.
