Energy Management System Programs

Here are just some of the Energy Saving Measures that can be implemented through the use of an Energy Management System

Free Heating and Cooling:
At Outdoor Air Temperatures between 64°F(18°C) and 74°F(23°C), it is possible to operate Fans without Modulating Supply Air Temperatures. Savings result from not operating Gas Heating Stages and Primary and Glycol Pumps. The specific application depends on the type of fan and its purpose - most typically this is applied to Corridor Fans.

Chilled Water Setpoint Control:
In the same way as Heating Water Supply Temperature can be varied with Outdoor Air Temperatures, Chilled Water is also controlled. At cooler Outdoor Air Temperatures the Chilled Water is run warmer.

Chiller On/Off Control:
The Chiller is operated under an On/Off dead-band. Using the average of both the North and South Outdoor Air Temperatures, the Chiller is turned off below 52°F(11°C) and back on above 55°F(13°C). Sampling of Temperatures over a 15 Minute Sliding Window, eliminates frequent cycling. Using North and South Sensors compensates for Solar Load. Often this is modified so that 60% of the Average Outdoor Air Temperature is determined by the South Sensor.

Domestic Hot Water Set-Back:
Maintaining Domestic Hot Water at a 145°F(63°C) in the middle of the Night, is a waste of Energy. Typically, most appliances (Dishwashers, Laundry Machines, etc.) require a Temperature of 120°F(49°C). The Domestic Hot Water Temperature is changed according to Peak, Off-Peak and Night periods. Typically, the Peak is used for Mealtimes, the Off-Peak at all other times of the Day, and Night, of course, between 1:00am and 5:30am.

Weekend and Holiday Scheduling:
Provident maintains an on-going dialogue with Property Management and analyzes demand patterns to determine where Set-Backs can be achieved. Religious Holidays and Special Events are programmed to reflect higher Demands on Domestic Hot Water during those times where Families may be entertaining, hosting visitors, and otherwise using Hot Water at irregular times.

Suite Heating Control:
Non-linear Heating Supply Water is modulated according to Outdoor Air Temperature. Provident has spent considerable resources in determining proper required Temperatures and this is a proprietary Energy Management Strategy.

Primary Boiler System Control:
The Energy Management System determines what the lowest possible operating Temperature for the Primary Boiler System is, as determined by Demand of the Heating System, Basement Loop, Fan Heating, and Domestic Hot Water Systems.

Lead Rotation:
The Lead Boiler is rotated daily, to ensure equal Run-time.

Freeze Protection:
During Fan-Shut down (see the next item) all Pumps are normally programmed to go off with the Fan. During Cold Weather, the pumps (Primary and Glycol) are run continuously and the 3-Way valve is set to the Mid-Position.

Fan Time-Of-Day Control:
Corridor Fans are shut down during the Night. Freeze Protection is in effect year round and will activate automatically during Cold Weather.

Snow Melting Control:
A precipitation Sensor and Outdoor Air Temperature determine when the Electric Ramp Heating is to be activated. There is a significant Savings when compared to Security and/or Timer Control.

Valve and Pump Control:
All systems using pumps and valves derive benefit from the Energy Management System through dead-band (Time and Temperature based) control and, in the case of valves, PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) Loop control.