HRP Associates, Inc - Energy Auditing Projects

Energy Auditing Projects

Energy Conservation, Metal Plating Facility

HRP Associates, Inc. worked with the country’s largest privately-owned job shop electroplater, to institute an ambitious energy plan that not only cut energy costs but also substantially upgraded the facility’s equipment. Initially an energy audit, which included a detailed analysis of energy bills, site review and lighting survey, was completed to identify energy saving opportunities and rank them based on payback, return on investment and potential for demand side reduction rebates.

Once the audit was completed, the energy reduction plan was submitted to company officials and received with little fanfare. However, after convincing management that the utility would rebate $140,000 of a new $172,000 compressor that would result in $30,000 of annual savings, management was on-board. Once the compressor’s energy savings were realized, management enthusiastically encouraged other energy savings projects.

To date the facility has upgraded/replaced lights, steam traps, drying systems, motors and variable speed blower motors. In total, the facility has realized over $130,000 in annual energy savings and substantially upgraded facility equipment, the majority of which has been rebated by various utility demand side reduction programs.

Energy Audit and Analysis, Metropolitan Hospital

A detailed Energy Audit and Analysis including a review of energy use, facility operations, lighting and mechanical systems was completed at the hospital. The collected information was placed in an "Energy Use Index" (EUI) that quantified energy use based on a heating degree-day/cooling degree-day format and compared with national averages for buildings of similar operational, location and construction characteristics. The energy information was also presented in a cost per square foot format and presented in Microsoft Excel format for continued use.

Based on the review, the following items offered the greatest potential for saving based on the criteria established by hospital personnel:

Upgrade facility lighting from T-12s to T-8s;
Install timers and lighting occupancy sensors;
Adjust fan schedules to match building occupancies;
Utilize existing economizers;
Install additional control points on building automation system;
Install steam traps throughout the facility;
Install low energy exit lighting; and
Install variable frequency drives to control fans

Implementation costs are estimated to be $300,000 and cost savings are projected to be over $100,000 a year. The hospital is currently arranging financing and developing implementation schedules.

Energy Conservation, Metropolitan Hospital

Due to several factors including occupant discomfort, proposed hospital expansion and the use of R-11 (an Ozone Depleting Chemical) within the existing HVAC system, the hospital retained HRP staff to complete an analysis of the hospital’s current and projected energy needs, as well as areas of potential energy saving. In particular, energy use and invoice records were reviewed, lighting surveys conducted, hospital operation personnel interviewed, proposed expansion plans reviewed, and existing mechanical systems evaluated to identify areas of deficiency and areas of potential energy savings.

Based upon the study, HRP recommended that the existing chillers, boilers, cooling towers and lighting be upgraded. In addition, it was recommended that the hospital mechanical system’s fans, pumps, chillers be integrated as one system which would increase the mechanical system’s efficiency and reduce operating costs. A $800,000 demand side rebate was obtained from Consolidated Edison to install the system. In total the system cost $4,000,000 (included hospital expansion mechanical system costs) and is projected save over $150,000 per year in operating costs.

For more information, please contact Thomas Seguljic, P.E. at 1-800-246-9021