Thermal Inspection

Building Envelope
hidden problems can create big expenses!

Building Envelope professionals who specialize in the design and inspection of all elements of the "Building Envelope". This includes Roofs, Walls, Foundations, and their component parts.

Energy Management

Certified: TEM, TIC

Preliminary audit is a first step of the audit procedure where the auditor has a first

approach with the structure. This procedure is very important for the comprehension of the design of the structure and its use. The auditor will be able, at the end of the procedure, to identify preliminary energy saving opportunities. Some easy energy saving actions can be made operational immediately after the preliminary audit, whereas other potential actions may require normally a more detailed analysis, in order to assess their effectiveness and their economic performance. The actions requiring a deeper analysis of the system are best performed during the subsequent detailed audit.

The preliminary audit structure

In a preliminary audit procedure one detects the errors in the AC systems through data gathering, visual detection and with measurements. Preliminary audit involves an interview of the site operating staff, a review of facility utility bills and other operating

data, and a walk-through of the facility (to become familiar with the building operation

and to identify obvious areas of energy waste or inefficiency). Typically, only major

problem areas will be discovered during this type of audit. This level of detail, while not sufficient to take all improvement decisions, is adequate to prioritize energy efficiency projects and determine the need for a more detailed audit.

Preliminary audit activities should include the following sequential steps:

• Identify the air-conditioning system type(s) in use in the building

• Evaluate the conditions of use and the operational state of the system

• Find out and describe the possible impact of improvements to this system

• Write up a preliminary audit report

The preliminary audit is less expensive than the detailed one, but is nonetheless an

important study that can yield a very useful estimate of savings potential and a list of

low-cost savings opportunities, through improvements in operational and maintenance practices. The preliminary audit information will be used to underpin the more detailed audit, if the energy saving potentials appear to warrant further auditing activity.

The first step of the preliminary audit process should be the collection of information.

The information may be collected on the structural and mechanical components that

affect building energy use and the operational characteristics of the facility. Much of this information can be collected prior to the site visit. Evaluating energy use and systems before going on-site helps identify potential savings and makes best use of time spent on-site.

The preliminary audit consists of three distinct steps:

Step 1: preliminary data collection and evaluation,

Step 2: site visit,

Step 3. thermal imaging.

Step 4: Preliminary Data Collection and Evaluation

A pre-site review of building systems and their operation should generate a list of

specific questions and issues to be discussed during the actual visit to the facility. This preparation will help ensure the most effective use of on-site time and minimize

disruptions to building personnel. A thorough pre-site review will also reduce the time

required to complete the on-site portion of the audit.

The first task is to collect and review two years worth of utility energy data for electricity.

The air-conditioning system consumption data should be provided if the system energy is measured separately. This information is used to analyse operational characteristics, calculate some energy benchmarks for comparison to averages, estimate savings potential, set an energy reduction target, and establish a baseline to monitor the effectiveness of implemented measures.

The building manager should provide occupancy schedules, operation and maintenance practices, and plans that may have an impact on energy consumption. This kind of information can help identify times when building systems such as lighting, recirculation pumps or outside air ventilation can be turned off and temperatures set back. The building manager should ideally also provide documentation for all the above information. If the data are not available, or they don't correspond to reality, then the first action should be to help to collect the data.

Analyzing Energy Data

If the A/C system energy consumption is available separately, then a Cooling Energy

Index (CEI) could be calculated to compare energy consumption to similar building types or to track consumption from year to year in the same building. The CEI consist of calculated ratios based on the annual consumption and the area (gross or conditioned square meters) of the building. CEI is a good indicator of the relative potential for energy savings. A comparatively low CEI indicates less potential for large energy savings. By tracking the CEI using a rolling 12-month block, building performance can be evaluated based on increasing or decreasing energy use trends. This method requires a minimum of two years of energy consumption data to establish the trend line and values including weather correction.

Caution has to be used in benchmarking in order to compare comparable values

between different buildings. The best benchmark method would take into account

different parameters (weather, sector, air control factors etc.). Actually, there are few air-conditioning benchmark references and often general benchmarks (all thermal energy use, or all electricity use) are most commonly used and available. In that case it is more difficult to track air conditioning specifically. However when metering is periodic (monthly, e.g.) it becomes possible to estimate the additional electricity use related with hot weather.

Looking at Loads for cooling & heating

Cooling loads include occupants, lighting, office equipment, appliances, solar gains and specific processes. High loads are in general easy to detect and the energy

management efforts should be focused in these areas. High loads may reveal

opportunities to reduce consumption by making improvements to the air conditioning

equipment, temperature controls, the building envelope, or to other systems which are affected by operation. After utility use has been allocated, the auditor should prepare a list of the major energy-using systems in the building and estimate the time when each system is in operation throughout the year. The list will help identify how each system uses energy and potential savings. Building systems can then be targeted for more detailed data collection. One of the easiest ways to evaluate energy data is to watch for the trends in use, demand, or costs over time. Either graphing two or more years of monthly data on one graph or graphing only the annual totals for several years can help.

Building Profile

Obtaining mechanical, architectural, and electrical drawings and specifications for the original building as well as for any additions or remodeling work that may have been done is the first step to creating a building profile. Any past energy audits or studies should be reviewed. The auditor can use this information to develop a building profile narrative that includes age, occupancy, description, and existing conditions of architectural, mechanical, and electrical systems. The profile should note the major energy-consuming equipment or systems and identify systems and components that are inherently inefficient. A site sketch of the building(s) surveyed should also be made. The sketch should show the relative location and outline of each building; the name of each building; year of construction of each building and additions; dimensions of each building

and additions; location and identification numbers of utility meters; central plant; and

orientation of the complex.

While completing the pre-site visit review, the auditor should note areas of particular

interest and write down any questions about the lighting systems and controls, HVAC zone controls, or setback operation. Other questions may regard equipment

maintenance practices. At this point the auditor should discuss preliminary observations with the building manager or operator. The building manager or operator should be asked about their interest in particular conservation projects or planned changes to the building or its systems. The audit should be scheduled when key systems are in operation and when the building operator can take part.

Step 2: The Site Visit

The site visit will be spent inspecting actual systems and answering specific questions from the preliminary review. The amount of time required will vary depending on the completeness of the preliminary information collected, the complexity of the building and systems, and the need for testing equipment.

Having several copies of a simple floor plan of the building will be useful for notes during the site visit. A separate copy should be made for noting information on locations of HVAC equipment and controls, heating zones, light levels, and other energy-related systems. If architectural drawings are not available, emergency fire exit plans are usually posted on each floor; these plans are a good alternative for a basic floor plan.

Step 3: Thermal Imaging

Thermal scans will help evaluate the building envelop of energy loss. From here we will be able to see Vidal measurements in the structure, mechanical and electrical devices. Air balancing throughout the facility can be quickly improved. Locating mold or wet areas can be found then measured with other meters. Over loading of motors, pumps, compressors, bearings, shafts, belts are easily determined. Roof evaluations to locate hidden water or weak areas in that structure. Locating plugged or obstructed steam, sewage, ammonia and transfer lines. Over all improvement and performance of a facilities foundation.

Renewable Energy Information is available upon request.

Qualifications:

The owner of our company has spent nearly 30 years in the building trades, and what better experience can you get than that.

Starting out as an HVAC installer in the 1970’s to a technician trouble shooting residential systems. Installing duct work, furnaces, air handlers, condensing units, evaporator coils, whole house fans, setback thermostats, heat pumps to: Commercial refrigeration. Trouble shooting & building walk in refrigerators / freezers, boilers.

In addition to the number of jobs throughout the years he worked in chemical and manufacturing facilities as maintenance. Food processing equipment, chemical plants trouble shooting and repairing hoppers, pumps, transformers, motors, ventilation systems, electrical, boilers, emulsion lines, sky lights, doors, windows, roofs, etc. And for several years installing solar and wind systems. Now enjoying the benefits of thermal imaging discovering new ways to improve our energy usage.

Working in the field using so many different types of tools to trouble shoot and install small to large industrial mechanical devices provides a better understanding of what can be done.

This is not a complete history but I think you get the point.

I see many companies now days advertising in energy management but only have the experience that came from a class room. Never been in the field, never hooked up a set of refrigeration gauges to a compressor, never took an amp draw from a three phase motor, never crawled in an attic or crawl space. However they do read a lot!