Tips To Reduce Electrical Energy Use During Winter Five steps to increased energy savings. By: Bill Zielinski W Bill Zielinski is vice president of American Combustion Industries Inc. (ACI), a full-service facility support contractor servic-ing Maryland, Washington and Virginia. Zielinski has 29 years of industry experi-ence with expertise in mechanical systems and combustion control systems. He is a member of professional associations ISA, NAPE, ASHRAE and Oil Heat Service Managers, and speaks regularly on boiler systems and operations. More information on ACI can be found at www.aciindustries.com. While hope abounds for an economic upswing in the new year, organizations remain confronted with a very real recession that challenges them to find new and creative ways to lower operating costs. As complex as these challenges are, there are several reliable and simple ways to lower opera-tional costs and save money. The first is to adopt practical preventative main-tenance programs that will have your plant run-ning at top efficiency and reduce your facilityʼs energy expenses. The second is to make a few relatively minor investments to reduce your plantʼs energy requirements and lessen your facilityʼs energy expenses. To follow are five easily implemented steps that will ensure your facility increases its energy savings and strengthens your organizationʼs bot-tom line. Install Variable Frequency Drives A cost effective, quick payback method for ensur-ing your facility reduces energy waste is installing variable frequency drives (VFDs) on motors, chillers and air handlers. Equipment lacking VFDs will operate at a con-stant full-load rate even when actual demand is far lower — as it most often is — which results in per-petual energy wastage. VFDs allow alignment between energy use and demand by regulating the load. The VFD will enable the motor to run at an out-put level compatible with actual demand. In some cases, VFD installation has reduced energy use by up to 50 percent, increased equip-ment operating life and reduced overall mainte-nance costs. VFD purchase and installation requires a very for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Efficiency . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: HVAC . Optimizing systems for maximum efficiency can save building owners money and complement other sustainable efforts. www.cmmonline.com 33
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