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Energy Ratings & Retuning

Preliminary | Level I | Level II | Level III

Preliminary Energy Usage Analysis

Before any level of energy analysis is begun, it is valuable to perform a preliminary energy usage analysis to determine a building’s current energy and cost efficiency relative to other, similar buildings. This is normally done by calculating the energy use and cost per square foot per year, which can indicate the potential value of further levels of analysis. This preliminary analysis generally includes the following steps:

1. Easy Energy will determine the square footage of the building, and its primary purpose.
2. Twelve to thirty-six months worth of utility bills will be collected and analyzed for irregularities.
3. Easy Energy will complete an energy performance summary to determine an energy index & cost index for each fuel.
4. The building's energy utilization index & cost index will be compared to other buildings with similar characteristics.
5. Targets for energy, demand, and cost will be determined.
6. Potential energy & cost savings will be calculated and the need for further engineering analysis will be determined.

LEVEL I - Walk-Through Analysis

This process includes all of the work done for the preliminary energy use analysis, plus the following:

1. Easy Energy will perform a brief walk-through survey of the facility to become familiar with its construction, equipment, operation, and maintenance.
2. A meeting will be arranged with the owner/operator and occupants to learn of special problems or needs of the facility & to determine if any maintenance problems/practices may affect efficiency.
3. A space function analysis will be performed to determine if efficiency may be affected by functions that differ from the facility's original intended function.
4. Easy Energy will determine an approximate breakdown of energy use for significant end-use categories, including weather and non-weather-related uses.
5. Easy Energy will identify low/no-cost changes to the facility or to operating and maintenance procedures and determine the savings that will result from these changes.
6. Easy Energy will identify potential capital improvements for further study, and provide an inuitial estimate of potential costs and savings.

The report for a Level I analysis will include building characteristics and energy use summary as well as the following:

• Quantification of savings potential from changing to a different utility price structure.
• Discussion of irregularities found in the monthly energy use patterns, with suggestions about their possible causes.
• The energy index of similar buildings.
• The method used to develop the target indices.
• Total energy and demand cost by fuel type.
• The fraction of current costs that would be saved if the energy index were brought to the target level.
• A summary of any special problems or needs identified during the walk-through survey, including possible revisions to operating and maintenance procedures.
• A preliminary energy use breakdown by major end uses.
• The listing of low/no-cost changes with the savings for these improvements
• The potential capital improvements, with an initial estimate of potential costs and savings.

LEVEL II - Energy Survey & Engineering Analysis

This analytical procedure is guided by the Level I Analysis and includes the following additional work:

1. Easy Energy will review mechanical and electrical system design, installed condition, maintenance practices, and operating methods.
2. We will review existing operating and maintenance problems & determine planned building changes.
3. Key operating parameters will be measured and compared to design levels (i.e. operating schedules, heating/cooling water temperature, supply air temperature, space temperature and humidity, ventilation quantities, and light level at the task). Such measurements may be taken on a spot basis, or logged, manually or electronically.
   
4. We will prepare a breakdown of the total annual energy use into end-use components.
   
5. A list of all possible modifications to equipment and operations that would save energy will be prepared for review with the owner/operator to select those which will be analyzed further.
   
6. Those modifications that have been selected for further analysis will be prioritized in the anticipated order of implementation.
7. Potential energy savings & energy index will be estimated for each measure.
8. The cost to implement each measure will also be estimated.
9. Each measure's impact on building operations, maintenance costs, and non-energy operating costs will be estimated.
10. Combined energy savings from implementing all practical measures will be estimated and compared to potential derived from the Level I Analysis. Savings from each modification are based on the assumption that all previous modifications have already been implemented; Total savings account for all of the interactions between modifications.
11. A financial evaluation of the estimated total potential investment will be prepared using the owner's chosen techniques & criteria.
    
12. A final report of the Level II Analysis will be submitted & a meeting arranged with the owner to discuss priorities. Easy Energy will aid in selected measures for implementation or further analysis.

The report for the Level II Analysis will contain, but is not limited to, the following:

• A summary of energy use and cost associated with each end-use.
  
• A description of the building, including typical floor plans and inventories of major energy-using equipment.
  
• A list of measures considered but felt to be impractical, with brief reasons for rejecting each.
  
• A list of practical measures, including:

- A discussion of the existing situation and why it is using excess energy
- An outline of the measure, including its impact on occupant health, comfort, and safety
- A description of any repairs that are required for a measure to be effective
- The impact on occupant service capabilities, such as ventilation for late occupancy or year-round cooling
- An outline of the impact on operating procedures, maintenance procedures, and costs
- Expected life of new equipment & the impact on the life of existing equipment
- An outline of new skills required in operating staff and training or hiring recommendations
- Calculations performed or the name and version of software used, including both input & output data

• A table listing the estimated costs for all practical measures, the savings, and financial performance indicator.
  
• A discussion of any differences between the savings projected in this analysis and the estimated potential derived from the Level I Analysis.
  
• Overall project economic evaluation.
  
• Recommended measurement and verification method(s) that will be required to determine the actual effectiveness of the recommended measures.
  
• Discussion of feasible capital-intensive measures that may require a Level III Analysis.

LEVEL III - Detailed Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modifications

This analytical procedure is guided by the Levels I & II analyses and the owner's selection of measures for greater definition.

1. Easy Energy will expand the definition of all modifications requiring further analysis.
   
2. We will review measurement methods, and perform additional testing and monitoring as required to allow determination of feasibility.
   
3. Proposed modifications will be modeled, including system interactions.
   
4. We will prepare a schematic layout of each of the modifications.
5. The cost and savings of each modification will be estimated.
   
6. A meeting with the owner will be arranged to discuss/develop recommendations.

The report for the Level III Analysis will contain, but is not limited to, the following:

• Text, schematics, and equipment lists necessary to completely describe all proposed changes to physical equipment. Matters of a final design nature may be left to subsequent engineering as long as the cost of such engineering is included in the budget. Firm price contractor quotations for key parts of any measure may be included. Cost estimates shall show contingencies separately and report the expected accuracy of the budget.
  
• A financial evaluation of the estimated capital investment and projected savings, usig the owner’s chosen techniques and criteria.

Control Systems

Control systems are an essential componenent in an efficiently operating building. They are devices which, using various sensors (thermostats, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, etc), control the mechanical and electrical systems in a building so that the occupants don't have to. These devices can be finely tuned to deliver optimal efficiency without sacrificing comfort.

Some examples of control systems in a commercial building include:

• Occupancy and daylight controls for interior lighting
• Heating/Cooling economizers for temperature & humidity control
• Ventilation controls triggered by carbon monoxide levels

Easy Energy will analyze the control systems in a building and determine their functionality and efficiency. We will then develop a strategy to adjust, repair, replace, and/or implement new control systems as needed.

Energy Consulting & Facility Management

Operating a high energy performance building requires performance tools and knowledge. Easy Energy USA has these assets and efficiently monitors all mechanical and electrical systems in a building. We will develop an efficient regulation for you and your staff to follow, as well as forecast and adjust energy usage based on variables such as weather, building occupancy, and tariff rates. Measurement and verification protocols are implemented to ensure results.

When the building and business are running efficiently, we will maintain and manage future energy upgrades so you are protected from scrupulous vendors and and unnecessary improvements, and implement the most efficient solutions to ensure your continued success. This continuous commissioning solution simplifies management of your energy assets.

This platform works with any building to ensure optimal energy savings for all of our clients.

Illustrations

Graphs & Charts | 3-D Drawings

Graphs & Charts

3D Informational Drawings

Click an image to open Building Information in PDF format. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

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