Saving energy is important for many reasons, especially for the bottom-line. Our team audits commercial properties to determine not only the usual energy savings opportunities (i.e. lighting upgrades), but the more complicated and creative opportunities that provide operational efficiency and better building comfort (i.e. downsizing an oversized HVAC system at a large hotel or constructing a commercial laundry facility with tunnel-washers at a resort). We use mechanical engineers who specialize in how your type of property operates. Our audits deliver realistic options, budgets, and potential savings that also align with your operational philosophy and investment plans for the property.
NPC can also help you implement the energy upgrades from small “low-hanging fruit” to large and complex projects (i.e. replacing a central plant) by managing the project, contractors, etc. and securing energy rebates for even more savings. In 2022-2023 alone, NPC helped our clients identify over $22m in annual utility savings, an average of 21%.
Contact:
Rusty Friend, PE, CEM
Director – Energy Engineering Services
rfriend@npcg.net
(937) 763-2725
Energy & Utility Assessment
NPC has an in-house team of dedicated engineers and experts to provide assessments of HVAC, central plant, lighting, controls, and utility system energy consumption. An energy assessment is the first step in defining current energy usage and identifying upgrades to reduce energy consumption and utility expenditure. We tailor our approach based on facility requirements, goals, and return on investment requirements. The onsite investigation includes interviews with engineering, building occupants, observing and reviewing operations, building plans, equipment, and controls systems. Typical energy consumption savings are greater than 10% and often greater than 30% of building energy and water expenditure.
All Energy and Utility Assessments address applicable rebates and incentives. NPC maintains direct contact with utilities and program administrators to stay abreast of program and funding changes. When project involvement extends to design and implementation NPC will manage the rebate process with the owner, contractor, and incentive provider. For example, in 2023 NPC guided a client in Norfolk, VA in receiving the first Non-Residential Building Automation Program custom incentive in Dominion Energy of Virginia territory. This $300,000 hotel project was eligible for a $27,000 rebate. It reduced demand by 128 kW and is projected to save the client 1,286,600 kWh/yr ($107,000).
Energy Code Compliance
Increasingly states and municipalities are requiring a “tune-up” of existing buildings to meet local energy, water, and greenhouse gas goals. These programs can be similar but often have differing requirements, procedures, and levels of detail. Often, they are paired with Energy and Utility Assessments to maximize the positive effects of the process.
The map below, developed by the Institute for Market Transformation, shows the US states and cities that currently require benchmarking (more details here) and compliance (more details here). NPC has coast-to-coast experience meeting these requirements (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Salt Lake City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC).
Building Controls Retro Commissioning
NPC’s skillset includes retro commissioning and controls design. Retro commissioning is a systematic process for functionally testing equipment to determine if it is capable of being operated and maintained according to operational needs. This process identifies repair, replacement, and upgrade opportunities to controls systems and functional components operated by the control system. Included in this process is the design of advanced sequences of operation for the controls system. Often this process occurs after the Energy and Utility Assessment and identified projects from the assessment are designed and procured on the same pathway as retro commissioning.
Owner’s Representative
Implementation in projects needs to be in keeping with the intent of the energy assessment in order to realize a full return on investment. As Owner’s Representative or “Construction Administrator,” NPC applies a three part process to ensure project goals are met. The first part is developing a design and procurement that clearly communicates intent and requirements. This includes full bid evaluation and discussion with contractors around capabilities, scope, and pricing. The second component is project execution including submittal review, schedule maintenance, and installation review checkpoints. Finally, project commissioning and closeout will ensure a fully operational system prior to project turnover and the start of the warranty period.
Renewable/Special Energy Project Development
NPC can act as the owner’s agent for large energy projects, particularly when engineering design is required to realize the projected energy savings when projects are justified by utility cost savings and/or are coupled with tax credits or utility incentives.
These projects may include traditional projects eligible for significant utility rebates such as chiller plant upgrades, combined heat and power, and het recovery chilled water systems, renewables, such as solar, or demand management projects including thermal and battery storage. NPC can develop the project to ensure that the project meets energy savings or GHG reduction goals while ensuring that utility and tax credit savings are maximized.