Posts Tagged ‘savings’

Typical Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) plants are equipped with hundreds of feet of uninsulated flexible metal “jumper” hoses. The primary function of the “jumper” hose is to transfer hot process oil in a primary jacketed pipe across a connection flange. Traditional insulating technologies that utilize mineral wool and hard aluminum cladding are not capable of servicing these hoses as they have a small diameter and a very tight bend radius. The result is that the “jumper” hoses, left uninsulated, are a significant source of heat loss costing HMA plants thousands of dollars each year in energy inefficiencies.

Recent improvements in thermal insulation technology, however, are finally enabling HMA plants to insulate the neglected “jumper” hoses and recover significant capital in energy savings.

The Technology

Insulation producers are now utilizing closed cell silicone sponge rubber as a primary source of high temperature insulation protection. The advantage of this material is that it has a very low thermal conductivity making it an excellent insulator. In addition silicone sponge rubber is non fiberous, unlike traditional mineral wool, and it does not require a hard aluminum cladding to contain the insulation materials. The inherent flexibility of silicone sponge rubber in combination with its insulating properties, makes it an excellent solution for protecting the tight bend radius “jumper” hoses.

Economic Benefits

Insulating 1 ½” OD flexible metal hoses with silicone sponge rubber sleeves (under typical operating conditions) enables HMA plants to recover up to $30 in heat losses for every foot of “jumper” hose in one seven-month operating season (assuming a winter shut down). This translates into fuel heating cost savings of approximately $6,000 per operating season (assuming 200 feet of “jumper” hose, based on 2005 North America fuel costs).

In most applications the flexible insulation sleeve will pay for itself within the first four months of installation.

Installation Benefits

In addition to the economic benefits, the new insulation sleeve technology is easily cut to length with an ordinary pair of scissors and is quickly installed in the field. In many cases the insulation sleeve may be equipped with a hook and loop closure to further simplify the installation on existing lines without line disconnection or interruption. The hook and loop closure also allows for easy access to process lines while performing maintenance procedures or trouble-shooting system components.

Introducing the HMA industry to silicone rubber sponge insulation technologies will help businesses to capture unrealized energy savings while creating a safer workplace environment.

Energy costs are becoming more and more of a deciding factor that home buyers weigh in on when choosing to buy a particular home or condo over another. You can get a quick snapshot of the current owner’s energy use and monthly expense by contacting the local utility companies. As a new owner you can challenge yourself to improve the home’s carbon footprint by exploring energy saving alternatives. One simple and quick way to get started is to consider converting to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFL bulbs are well known for conserving energy. They also are designed to last at least six times longer.

However, CFL bulbs cost a lot more upfront.

Aside from purely environmental considerations, do they actually save money? Possibly even more to the point, do they really last?

For weeks, I was skeptical. In my experience as a homeowner, I have found that some light bulbs from the same package last longer than others. This is especially true for bulbs placed inside ceiling fixtures. Heat gets entrapped inside the fixtures where there is nowhere for it to escape. Some break even before they even get connected properly within a socket. It seems there could be reasons NOT to invest in them if the objective is to save a few cents worth of electricity each month.

To investigate, this week I sampled a package of four CFL spiral bulbs at a home improvement store. The box cost $7.88, compared to $2.39 for a set of incandescent bulbs with the same brand. Both products were designed to generate approximately 800 lumens of light. Interestingly, the CFL bulbs came in a new, smaller “T2″ size, meaning they are designed to fit inside most fixtures. After I noticed that, I read the fine print on the packaging: to my surprise, the manufacturer actually offered a two-year replacement warranty. Changing a set of three bulbs in a ceiling fixture once every two years instead of once every four months? Sign me up!

To calculate possible monthly savings, consider that the incandescent bulb consumes 60 watts, the CFL, 13. After subtracting the difference, convert that to kilowatt hours (kWh) by multiplying by 0.001, as a kWh is 1,000 watts operating for one hour. The current price per kWh in my geographical area, including taxes, is 10.1705 cents. Let us say you rely on a 3-bulb ceiling fixture to provide light for an average of four hours a day. Within 30 days, you’ll save $1.72 from this fixture alone—and more if you do much work from home.

Parting Tip #1: CFL bulbs do go on sale! Watch for them within ads from nearby home improvement stores.

Tip #2: As you install the product into fixtures, hold the bulb from its ballast, which is the middle plastic portion, instead of from its glass. Otherwise, the extra force on the glass can cause damage.

Tip #3: CFL bulbs CANNOT be thrown away. However, there are all kinds of recycling programs in place, including some located within home improvement stores. Check the Internet for many more options.

As winter approaches, many people are looking for ways to save a little money on energy costs. The cost of gasoline might go down, but in cold climates a lot of those savings are spent on keeping the house warm enough to be livable. There are always the simple ways to keep costs down, such as dressing in warmer clothing or staying physically active, but the advantages of superior technology are allowing customers a greater number of options, many of which can be built right into the structure of their homes. Homeowners are replacing old seals around doorways, purchasing thicker and more insulated carpets, and installing more energy efficient heating units.

One increasingly popular trend in home energy savings is the use of energy efficient insulated windows. There is a significant advantage with this type of energy savings — it offers a passive, or ongoing, savings rather than saving money simply one time. Instead of having to check the thermostat and debate whether to turn it off for a few hours to save some money, homeowners can simply install these insulated windows and enjoy the benefits for no additional effort. Additionally, these windows aren’t a compromise in savings over appearance; most providers have a variety of styles available to choose from. There are even options for those who prefer windows with blinds, as many new models of insulated window include internal blinds for the homeowner to adjust.

Some of the best savings come from a combination of technologies. For example, Low-E windows serve to retain the heat in a house both by reflecting it inward instead of allowing it to escape outside, and by collecting passive heat from sunlight. However, even Low-E windows will not retain all of this heat if installed with, say, a plain metal spacing unit. Metals are generally conductors, and they will allow heat to seep out around the window, reducing the potential savings. The key is to combine the insulated window with a nonmetal spacer that doesn’t allow for such seepage, such as Super Spacer units.

With these combined technologies, heat is retained in multiple ways, maximizing the effect of both technologies, and returning the initial investment faster than either technology would alone. Additionally, the energy efficiency will not stop with the cold weather. Proper home insulation is as beneficial to home cooling as it is to home heating, which will provide energy insulation savings year round, year after year.

Introduction: Energy Savings Tracking Methods
After installing energy conservation measures (ECMs), Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) often determine the energy savings resulting from the project and present the savings results to their customers.  A common way to calculate energy savings is to measure the flows of energy associated with the ECM, and then to apply spreadsheet calculations to determine savings.  For example, a chiller retrofit would might require measurements of chilled water supply and return temperatures and kW.  The benefit of this approach is that the ECM is isolated, and that only energy flows associated with the ECM itself are considered.  

This method is described as Option A or Option B in the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP).  Table 1 presents the different options.  Option A requires some measurement and allows for estimations of some parameters.  Option B requires measurement of all parameters.  In both options, calculations are done (typically in spreadsheets) to determine what energy savings.  Option C uses utility bills to determine energy savings.  

Some ESCOs Have Limited Options
There are many situations where Option A or Option B (Metering and Calculating) is the best approach to measuring energy savings, however, some ESCOs insist upon only using Option A or Option B, when clearly Option C would be most appropriate.  If the ESCO was a lighting contractor, then Option A should work in all cases.  Spot measurements of fixtures before and after, agreed upon hours of operation, and simple calculations can be inserted into a spreadsheet that can calculate savings.  The same spreadsheet can be used over and over.  However, for ESCOs that offer a variety of different retrofits, it is necessary to be able to employ all options so that the best option can be selected for each individual job.  Controls Retrofits, or retrofits to HVAC systems are typically excellent candidates for Option C.

However there are drawbacks with metering and calculating savings and these can include:  
-    Greater expense
-    Difficulties convincing the customer of the appropriateness and veracity of the method and savings numbers
-    Inability to handle interactive or many difficult ECMs.

ESCOs that do not have the capacity to employ all options are at a disadvantage over those ESCOs that can employ them all.  Specifically, we want to address those ESCOs that only employ Option A and Option B.  These ESCOs may encounter the following problems due to their limited offerings:
-    Measurement and Verification costs can be greater, which lead to higher project costs, which can limit the energy projects that the ESCO can sell.  The lack of Measurement and Verification options overall can make the ESCO less competitive, and hurt the financial performance of the ESCO.
-    Using Options A or B sometimes require the customer to understand and approve of complex energy calculations.  These options are often difficult to explain to customers who insist upon seeing savings in their utility bills.  Customer satisfaction can suffer if Option C is not made available to customers who want to see savings on their bills.
-    Options A and B cannot handle difficult ECMs.  The methods used to determine savings are inaccurate, and make large assumptions that cannot be borne out if a third party consultant is hired to oversee the savings determination process.

These issues are discussed in more detail below.

Cost of Utility Bill Analysis vs. Metering and Calculating
Measurement and Verification should cost between 1% and 15% of the project cost.  Metering and calculating savings often has costs associated with labor and equipment.  As many project configurations are different, projects typically require unique configurations of sensors, placements of sensors and savings calculations.  On more complicated ECMs, only highly skilled energy professionals can determine which measurement devices should be applied, and to what components.  Manipulating data, and finally creating spreadsheets with engineering calculations also requires skilled personnel who command high wages.  Metering equipment also has a cost, and for many projects, metering equipment, or control points, have to be purchased, and remain on the job for years.  

Of course, there are cases where metering and calculating is the least expensive and the most desirable method.  If an ESCO only provides a lighting retrofit, then measuring a selection of lighting fixtures before and after the retrofit, and producing a spreadsheet that determines savings is the best option.  

On the other hand, utility bill analysis is inexpensive.  With specialized utility bill analysis software, clerical workers can create the Measurement and Verification analysis.  Bills are entered, weather imported, a linear regression performed, and reports made.  Capital need not be sunk into metering equipment or control points or into long hours of analysis and data manipulation.  Typically for utility bill analysis, measurement and verification costs are a fraction of what costs for retrofit isolation savings are – ranging between 1 and 5% of project costs.

Explaining Savings Numbers to Customers
Customers understand utility bills.  The reason they entered into an energy savings contract is often triggered by the desire to lower their energy bills.  Retrofit Isolation methods do not address the customer’s utility bill.  A project may be saving energy, but the utility bill may actually be increasing.  Retrofit Isolation does not address this at all.  ESCOs need to be responsive to customer’s needs, and this is done through communicating in a manner that the customer’s understand.  They want to see the savings on their utility bills – this is a method they would trust.  

In addition, customers are sometimes mistrustful of energy service companies that provide savings numbers that the customer cannot understand.  Although the calculations in the spreadsheet may appear perfectly reasonable to the energy analyst, to a customer who is not well-versed in math, the calculations may remain incomprehensible, and the customer is thereby required to trust the energy service company, sometimes leading to mistrust.  Energy savings calculations should remain as simple as possible and explained in a manner that the customer can understand.  This makes the customer’s job easier, and reassures the customer that the energy service company is acting in a truthful manner.

For these reason, more and more customers ask for Measurement and Verification using utility bills.  

Difficult and Interactive Energy Conservation Measures
For many energy conservation measures, Retrofit Isolation is the best option.  This would include lighting savings, savings from energy efficient motors, and from other non-weather dependent energy users.  

However it is very difficult or impossible to measure savings for some energy conservation measures.  Still, some ESCOs insist on using Retrofit Isolation for these difficult measures.  For example, engineering calculations can be made estimating the savings to be had by shutting down air handlers at night.  But, assuming that the air handlers receive chilled water from a chilled water loop shared with other air handlers, how is one to measure energy savings?  Fan savings are easy (assuming the unit is constant volume), but in order to calculate savings, several estimations need to be made, which result in an estimate of energy savings, just as accurate before the retrofit took place as after it took place.  Suppose the unit is a VAV system, at what percentage would the fan have been running?  Suppose the cooling coil and/or heating coil modulated to meet a changing supply air set point – how are the fan CFM, cooling and heating loads to be calculated if the unit is not running and measurements can not be made?

Controls retrofits are difficult to measure and quantify directly.  Usually, however, when a controls or commissioning measure is enacted, more than one item is adjusted, which further complicates an already difficult task.  Suppose a partially working economizer was fixed, in addition to putting the fan on a variable speed drive, in addition to shutting off the air handler during unoccupied hours, and finally upgrading the chiller plant.  Each of these measures would interfere with the savings calculations of the other.  How can one calculate chiller savings, when the loads have changed so dramatically via the economizer, reduced hours and reduced air flow?  This is a very difficult task, that most likely cannot be done with an acceptable degree of certainty.  

Complicated cases like this require utility bill analysis to measure and quantify savings.  The procedure is very simple, inexpensive, and easy to explain relative to many Retrofit Isolation methods.

Benefits of Utility Bill Analysis
The benefits of utility bill analysis to calculate energy project savings are as follows:

-    Utility Bill Analysis, by its nature, is relatively simple, and does not require complicated engineering analysis.  
-    Utility Bill Analysis is relatively inexpensive, as it requires less skilled workers, less time and no dedicated equipment.
-    Utility Bill Analysis provides savings numbers in a format and method that makes sense to the customer.  
-    Utility Bill Analysis is the best method to handle complicated energy conservation projects, or projects which interact with each other, making assessment of individual measures impossible.
-    ESCOs can use the fact that energy savings is determined using the customers’ utility bills as a selling point.

Utility Bill Analysis and Changes in Weather
Unfortunately, a simple comparison of pre-retrofit and post-retrofit utility bills is usually not an effective method to determine energy savings from ECMs.  Weather varies from year to year, and affects the amount of heating or cooling energy usage, which can interfere with actual utility savings numbers.  For a fair analysis, utility bills should be “corrected” for weather data, which results in a reasonable savings determination.  Linear regression is applied to utility usage versus degree days to determine pre-retrofit utility usage patterns, which are then compared to post-retrofit utility usage to determine savings.  Unfortunately, the scope of this paper is limited, and cannot present the method in detail.  Weather-correcting for weather is easy, however, as specialized software, used by ESCOs around the world, simplifies the weather correction process and presents savings reports.

Drawbacks of Utility Bill Analysis
Facilities may change their energy usage patterns, by installing more equipment, building additions, occupancy changes, etc.  This upsets the existing utility bill comparison of pre-retrofit to post-retrofit usage.  These changes need to be monitored and accounted for with Baseline Modifications.  

There is a certain amount of randomness in utility bill comparison.  So many factors influence the amount of energy usage in any given month, and they cannot all be accounted for.  As a result, if you are trying to show savings that is less than 10% of the total electricity load, then the randomness in the bills may seriously interfere with the accuracy of your savings calculations.

If you track savings by comparing utility bills, you will only be able to track total savings for a given meter, but you will not be able to separate out the savings for different Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs).  For example, if you installed a lighting retrofit, an energy efficient chiller and a control system in a hospital, you will not be able to tell how much energy is being saved by the control system.  Energy analysts try to do break out the savings for each ECM occasionally, but they are only making educated guesses.  

Conclusion
When an ESCO approaches a performance contract, there are several measurement and verification options available.  Those ESCOs that only have at their disposal a limited set of options are often spending too much money on measurement and verification, and therefore are held back from selling larger projects, and limit their own success.

Customer satisfaction may suffer when ESCOs only offer Retrofit Isolation approaches to Measurement and Verification, as customers may want to see savings in their utility bills.  ESCOs who refuse to speak in the same language or terms as the customer may suffer decreased customer satisfaction.

Are you throwing money away on wasted energy every year? Our latest uPVC casement windows are ‘A’ rated under the Windows Energy Rating scheme. That means they reduce annual net energy loss to ZERO, making them the most eco-friendly around.

Over recent years our society is becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues, such as global warming, and the responsibilities we have to help save our planet.

By choosing the right PVC windows for your home you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and save yourself money on energy bills.

Choose the most energy efficient double glazed windows available on the market!

The government has introduced the Window Energy Ratings scheme. By using the same ratings system that items such as fridges and washing machines have been using for years, it is now possible to rate a window from any given installer.

The finished window combination is independently tested, and awarded a rating from A to G. Those achieving a C-rating or above are allowed to display the Energy Saving Recommended blue label, demonstrating they have been designed, manufactured and tested to provide a good level of overall thermal efficiency.

So, if C-rated is energy efficient, how much better does an A-rated window perform?

Well, its simple really. An A-rated uPVC window will not lose any heat whatsoever from your home. None. Zero. It’s a little more complex than that, but the principle really is true.

By installing Conservatory Outlet’s latest energy saving A-Rated windows you will be helping improve the overall performance of your home which will not only reduce your heating bills and CO2 emissions but it could improve the value of your property and speed up any future sale.

Just how much difference can the sealed unit make?
Energy ratings don’t just now apply to fridges, boilers and windows – they apply to your entire home. When you come to sell your house, you will need a Homebuyers Information Pack, or HIP for short. As well as your heating type and things such as loft insulation, the windows in your home contribute hugely to the overall rating. Fit A-rated windows and you’re well on your way to an A-rated home.

Because the glass area is much bigger than the frame area, thermal improvements in the glass unit itself go a very long way to help make windows efficient. So much so, the choice of sealed units is by far the biggest factor in how much energy is lost, or saved, through your windows. In fact, by fitting the most efficient sealed units, you can reduce your carbon footprint by as much as 2 Tonnes of CO2 every year.

Our new window is designed with this in mind. Manufactured from a combination of the very latest materials and glass types, ThermaglassMAX constantly works to retain heat within your home.

Nothing new there you might think. But did you realize that through a combination of glass types and the heating effect of the sun, ThermaglassMAX south facing windows are so efficient they can even contribute to heating your home.

Windows that heat your house? Now there’s a novel idea.

Rising production costs and fierce competition is resulting in manufacturing companies looking at all aspects of savings, especially energy savings.

Spray nozzles of the right specification can lead to significant savings in both energy and raw materials.

One of the overlooked areas is the use of the correct spray nozzle. Whilst frequently ignored in the manufacturing process, it is often this item of equipment that is the most important. Header tanks, pumps sophisticated controls, pipe work are all immaterial if the spray nozzle “at the sharp end” is not delivering the right amount of fluid (flow rate) at the correct spray angle and with the right spray pattern. This can lead to excessive wear on the pumps and ancillary equipment resulting in higher energy consumption and related costs.

The phrase it sprays, is often used, but how effectively is often not considered.

In addition to these more obvious savings there are a many “hidden” savings to be made.

Expensive down time and failed equipment could be contributed to poor nozzle performance.

Production lines designed to operate continuously are expensive items if shut down owing to badly performing spray nozzles and this failure could affect the total production plant with the resulting unsuccessful distribution to customers, which in turn may affect their production.

All this from the wrong or poor performing spray nozzle!!

The correct spray configuration is essential to maximise the spraying operation and continuous spray nozzle development will lead to greater beneficial savings.

In addition, the wrong or worn out spray nozzle will eventually lead to poor finished products and possible rejection of expensive products. This could result in extra production to make good these shortfalls, with the resulting increase in energy costs. All this will reduce profit margins.

Initial investment will be required to introduce the correct nozzle, but payback can probably be counted in months and in some case weeks.

As an ongoing maintenance program, substantial savings will be made by regular inspection and maintenance of the spray operation and possible replacement when nozzles become worn, through blockages, corrosion, wear and accidental damage

Regular maintenance of the spray nozzles must be undertaken to ensure the nozzles have optimum spray performance.

All nozzle configurations should be analysed on a regular basis to ensure that the spray pattern, flow and operating pressure cannot be improved upon, possibly with new nozzle technology, or the fact that the application process has not changed. The latter being the case then a new specification should be sought.

As well as energy savings, raw material savings must also be taken into consideration and it is feasible to experience water reduction of up to 40% in certain industries and spray nozzle applications.

Also to be taken into consideration must be the application where the spray fluid is not water, but more expensive chemicals or fluids. With correct nozzle design even greater savings may be achieved.

Energy savings can be made in pump operation and it some case it is possible to reduce the number of pressure pumps, thereby saving considerable operating costs and associated maintenance cost.

To summarise, energy savings, raw material savings and a reduction in the wear and tear of other equipment can all be experienced if the correct spray nozzle is specified.

The specification must include nozzle material, spray angle, spray pattern, flow and pressure. With all these set correctly a regular maintenance programme should be undertaken. With the correct specification and maintenance schedule then energy and raw material savings can be expected.

Fox 10 Local Phoenix News, does a report on our Energy Saving Device, you be the judge.

Over the past few years, the alternative sources of energy saving devices and the technologies are doing better and the prices are coming down. There are solar projects that are cost-effective for heating the pool, getting hot water and warming the home as well. Given below are few common installations of energy saving devices:

Solar PV roof installation: For offsetting the use of energy with solar power, one needs an array of solar panel of 400-800 sq. ft (to output 4-8kW). In the United States, the average home uses monthly 750-900kWh at a price of 10¢ per kWh. The used amount can considerably differ with the high-demand system uses such as continuous running appliances or hot tubs.

Hot water system: A solar water heating system has a backup of electricity and rate of current electricity of 8¢ per kWh. When estimating the annual costs for solar water heaters, one should know the SEF (solar energy factor), your local utility rates and the kind of auxiliary fuel type used.

Solar home space heating: There are various ways small and large to tap into the energy of the sun for space and home heating. One can do anything from passive structures and installing heat-collecting windows, to converting walls that are south-facing. The heat is toed by the wall and gradually released later.

A major roof installation is a source of major power and is also one of the major expenses that should be planned often. An individual can tighten up the home with more energy-efficient and instituting the habits of new energy saving devices.

Guaranteed Path To Financial Freedom Without Selling Your Soul. Find Out What Ordinary People Are Doing To Take Control Of Their Financial Future, Put Their Finances On Autopilot, And Save 19% More Cash Each Month!
7 Steps To Less Debt, More Savings & Financial Freedom.

With the advent of the Carbon Reduction Commitment as well as our long standing commitment to utilise the latest energy saving products and services Temperature Control has decided to partner with some key companies to look at energy savings in Data Centres

Over the next few months Temperature Control will be announcing many new initiatives to look at how we can harness renewable energies, improve current set up and implement new technology to reduce power consumption in Data Centres.

To see how simple some of the changes can be, below is a 10 point action plan.

1. Basic maintenance

Basic maintenance of cooling systems is often overlooked in data centres. Blocked filters, heat exchangers and loose fan belts can account for an increase in power consumption by up to 30%. On a standard CRAC system this could be up to £300 per month or over £3,000 per year.

A standard yearly maintenance could be as little £500 per year, when compared to the potential savings, it doesn’t take long to realise that this is essential.

2. Monitor performance of room

Before any improvements can be made it is essential that the current operation is monitored so you can see real-time improvements.

It also also important that any changes made are also monitored to see that the changes made are giving the improvements anticipated.

3. Increase temperature settings

One simple change that can save energy is increase the room temperature. Many times we find rooms set to 19 deg C so it feels cooler than the comfort cooled offices set at 22 deg C. Modern computers don’t need cooling to the temperatures of old and many are happy at mid 20’s.

One word of caution though, consult both your IT manager and cooling specialist, before any modifications are made as changes may effect control and alarm settings.

The temperature setting may also be used as a buffer in case the plant fails. The lower the temperature of the room, the longer the cooling can go down until the critical temperatures are reached. If this practice is used it may be more practical to install standby cooling.

4. Tidy under the floor

The data centre is built and all the cables are neatly installed in containment to help the cool air from the CRAC units to distribute evenly to the floor grilles.

Move forward 5 years. The original configuration has changed beyond recognition, the structured cabling has tripled in size and as the data centre has had to be maintained throughout these changes, the cables and additional racks have been installed in the available space.

How does this effect the cooling. If the air cant get to those hot spots, the CRAC units work harder to cool the space. By having a spring clean, removing redundant cabling and tidying up the current cables, you can help get the cold air distributed to the right places and reduce how hard your CRAC units work.

5. Re-balance the floor grilles

One other major contributor to getting the right air temperatures is the floor grilles. After years of moving them round, shutting them off as there is a cold draught it is now time to look at how the floor grilles are used.

Are they in the right place. Are you adopting a hot and cold isle configuration or just letting the cold air go into the room where ever.

Take this opportunity to plan how best to use your rack configuration and if possible change your servers to achieve a hot and cold isle regime. Once this is done the floor grilles can be moved to suit and when re-balanced to make sure the same level of air is blown through each grille, the CRAC units will run more efficiently.

6. Fill in the space around the servers

Once you have your hot and cold Isles, any warm air being drawn into your servers is not only inefficient it may also harm the server. By using simple blanking plates in the gaps between each server, it will ensure that only cold air is drawn into the server. This reduces the operating temperatures which will allow the cold air temperatures to be risen, saving energy.

7. Fill in the gaps in the floor

The more cold air we can get in the cold isles, the efficient the CRAC units will be. One of the biggest problems we face when trying to deal with this is the gap at the bottom of each rack. Many don’t see this as a problems as the “cold air goes into the rack anyway”. Good air management ensures that the air is thrown out the floor grille to a height that matches the rack. This ensures even distribution across all racks at various levels in the rack. Air introduced in the bottom of the rack only starves cold air from the servers at the top of the rack.

By filling the holes in the floor we can not only improve the efficiency of the cooling plant, we can help maintain the server life at the top of the racks.

8. Hot or cold isle containment

Taking the hot and cold isle up to the next level, cold isle containment is a proven solution to reduce energy use.

Usually only confined to new data centres, we have partnered with eCool Solutions, who offer not only installations on new sites, they can offer this on existing installations. Working in partnership Temperature Control can advise and make changes to the current cooling systems to allow the cold isle technology to be introduced.

Will this give any savings? Well just ask Yahoo UK, they saved £35,000 recently after eCool Solutions implemented their cold isle solution to their London headquarters.

9. Replace old cooling equipment

Like any technology cooling equipment is constantly improved and can offer improved over 50% more efficiency than older systems. Over the past 3 to 5 years, energy use is now the driving factor when installing new cooling plant and they are not just designed on cooling output only.

Modern data centres have free cooling using outside air, whilst looking at ways of utilising the waste heat for other uses.

This can now be adapted in existing data centres where possible and the time is now to see what equipment you have and if it needs upgrading. This may also be forced on you by the current changes in legislation with the R22 refrigerant phase out, commonly found in many data centres throughout the world.

10. Replace old servers

Leading the way in constant improvements is the IT industry. That new server was updated at the same time as you signed off the order. the result is newer IT equipment is more and more powerful and can do more the equivalent item it replaces.

Although there is an argument on why do you need all this power, when what you have still works fine, the advantage of changing to new is that you use less power to do the same job.

Now it’s not that noticeable on equipment that is 6 months different in age, but when equipment is over 3 years old, it is noticeable. Most servers are running 24, 7, 52 weeks a year. There is no rest and as a result they are at the end of their life after 3 to 4 years.

Is it time to change? How much can you save, will that help contribute to that upgrade?

Do you want more information on this? For many of the above points the cost to implement these changes is minimal compared to the savings that may be achieved. Not only that a full and healthy data centre will reduce failures and downtime, when these savings are considered, then it makes sense to act now.

Temperature Control will be soon be offering a health check service to check the current state of the data centre and advise on how these changes can benefit – to register interest please see link www.temperaturecontrol.squarespace.co.uk

Ex-Disney Employee Reveals Insider Secrets.
Disney World Vacation And Savings Travel Guide.

Easy Sale On This Disneyland Savings Guide That Is An Absolute ‘no Brainer’ Purchase.
Disneyland Savings Guide-Get 50% On Easy Sale.

Energy efficient lighting not only contributes to a better environment but also saves huge energy costs. By retrofitting lights you can upgrade your existing lighting system to more energy efficient one. LED retrofit is about replacing certain parts of the lighting system with others that make more sense, with respect to saving energy.

Energy savings may not be apparent immediately, but are realized only over a period of time. The savings that occur over the life time of the energy efficient device is sufficient to pay for the cost of the equipment and generate further returns.

LED retrofit technology is becoming more and more popular as a relatively straightforward and simple solution for energy savings. Commercial facilities and cities use a lot of power and the modern lifestyle also does not make it easy to reduce energy consumption. But just by adopting the LED retrofit lighting system in your office or home, you can contribute a great deal to making the planet just a little bit greener as well as reduce your energy consumption cost.

The ordinary lighting fixtures that are installed in homes and offices consume a lot of energy. Homeowners can make a wise investment towards lighting retrofit and save energy costs by more than 40%. It is estimated that if all the buildings in the US were to be upgraded to the LED retrofit lighting system, the demand for electricity can be reduced by over 30% and energy savings of above $250 billion can be made.

If you conduct an energy audit, you will understand how much energy is being wasted in your home or office, and how much savings can be made by switching to a more energy efficient technology. Retrofitting ensures guaranteed cost savings as well as positive cash flow.

An LED retrofit lighting system is expected to have a payback period of 3 years and a return of slightly above 30% can be expected. This is considering the cost of retrofit equipment, installation and maintenance.

The US Department of Energy conducted a study which found that 50% energy savings can be made in a cost-effective way by retrofitting walkway lighting. This can be achieved while still easily meeting the minimum recommended illumination levels for walkways.

LED fixtures cost more to purchase than the traditional light sources. There are many factors that contribute to the effective and economic performance of LEDs, so a range of payback scenarios exist. But a lower wattage luminaire significantly reduces the payback period. Keeping an eye on the desired level of illumination and selecting the least wattage that will help you achieve that is the best way to reduce the payback period.

LED retrofits are now available for display lighting, underwater lighting, cove lighting, residential and office space lighting, architectural details and other lighting applications. The technology is also dramatically improving at a rapid pace. Along with improvement in the chip performance and reduction in price, the payback periods of LED retrofits will continue to come down.

Here are a few ways to save energy in your home:

* Windows and doors: Today’s architecture takes advantage of increased window space and elaborate entry systems. This style enhancement certainly adds to the appeal of a home, but it increases the importance of having energy-efficient windows and doors.

On average, a household spends nearly 50 percent of its annual energy costs in heating and cooling. You can reduce this expense by up to 15 percent by using energy-efficient windows and doors, which help decrease the transfer of heat. Start by looking for products that have the Energy Star label. This label identifies products that meet the strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

* Construction materials: Wood or vinyl (for windows) and steel (for doors) offer high energy efficiency. For windows, dual-pane insulating glass units and low-emissivity glass also increase the products’ energy efficiency. For steel doors, look for a polystyrene core, which helps the door retain its energy-saving properties longer than steel doors with a polyurethane core.

Rest assured, however, that you will not have to forgo style and beauty when seeking energy efficiency. Many manufacturers, such as Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors, offer a variety of Energy Star-qualified products that are attractive, durable and provide superior performance. In fact, upgrading windows and doors is a great way to build energy savings into your current home.

* Insulating your home: In addition to diminishing heat transfer through windows and doors, you can ensure even temperatures in the home by selecting proper insulation. Well-insulated homes can save up to 30 percent on heating and cooling costs. Pay attention to the R-values used to rate the energy efficiency of insulation – a higher R-value indicates a better ability to resist heat flow, meaning that it is more energy efficient.

* Heating and cooling engines: Installing oversized heating or cooling equipment is a common practice to provide customers with immediate results. However, oversized equipment is not necessary if your home is designed to conserve energy; it will only add to the growth of your energy bill.

Visit a local home improvement center to learn more about heating and cooling options.

EBook Full Of Home Energy Saving Ideas, Designed To Save The Customer Money By Reducing Their Energy Consumption. Would Accompany Any Energy Saving Site Nicely.
Eco Home Energy Savings.