Northern Neck PDC energy-efficiency
Retrofit Project
SAVINGS
Because this is a demonstration project, we start by posting a comparison history of electricity bills before and after the energy retrofits were performed in April 2012.
As new electricity bills arrive in the
coming months, their totals will be posted here.
Northern Neck PDC energy-efficiency
Retrofit Project
PROJECT SUMMARY
It is often "free," renewable-energy technologies (like solar and wind) that get most of the attention in the media.
But energy retrofits, like the installation of insulation, or an upgrade of electrical fixtures---lights, appliances, and heating and cooling equipment---can provide a much higher return on investment than solar panels or on-site wind turbines.
With that in mind, the Northern Neck Planning District Commission applied for funding in 2009 to pay for energy-efficiency retrofits planned in Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland Counties. The funds came from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.
One of the retrofit projects (the largest) became this demonstration project, which involves the Regional Center office complex in Warsaw, Virginia.
The Regional Center consists of three buildings:
Building A: Offices - 2,535 square feet - volume = 20,280 cubic feet
Building B: Restaurant - 2,160 square feet - volume = 17,280 cubic feet
Building C: Offices - 9,282 square feet - volume = 74,256 cubic feet
FIRST STEP: THE ENERGY AUDIT
The process began with a professional energy audit performed by Commonwealth Building Sciences, LLC. The following slides and captions describe the audit.
The Energy Audit Report concluded that by following the recomendations, "combined system efficiency gains and reduction in utility usage beyond 30% could easily be reached."
Among the recommendations were energy-efficiency retrofits that addressed three areas:
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Insulation
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Lighting
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Heating & Cooling Systems (HVAC) and a Water Heater
Northern Neck PDC energy-efficiency
Retrofit Project
INSULATION
The scope of work consisted mainly of open-cell foam sprayed under the roof decks at an average thickness of 5 inches. A therman/ignition barrier over the exposed foam insulation was also required. The following slides and captions describe the process.
Northern Neck PDC energy-efficiency
Retrofit Project
LIGHTING
The scope of work called for the removal of existing lamps and ballasts (all to be recycled). In their place, more efficient lights and ballasts were installed.
Additionally, all existing light switches were replaced with motion-sensing light switches.
Finally, exterior halogen and metal halide lamps (most of them facing the parking area) were replaced with lower-wattage but brighter LED lights.
The following slides and captions describe the lighting retrofit.
Northern Neck PDC energy-efficiency
Retrofit Project
HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS (HVAC) + WATER HEATER
Old heat-pump condernsers and air-handling units were replaced with new equipment rated 15 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and using the R-410A refrigerant. Digital, programmable thermostats were installed to better control temperature settings, particularly during off hours.
In Building B, two sealed-combustion, tankless LP-gas water heaters replaced a one-hundred gallon naturally-drafted water heater. The thermal efficiency of the tankless water heaters goes up to 97%.
The following slides and captions describe the HVAC and water-heater retrofits.
Northern Neck PDC energy-efficiency
Retrofit Project
RESOURCES
Data on cost projections by region
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/supplement/sup_t2t3.xls
Regional energy consumption and prices by sector
http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/er
Energy data by state
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state
State incentives for RE and EE
http://www.dsireusa.org
EERE state activities & partnerships
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states
EIA Annual Energy Outlook
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/demand.html
