Consulting-Specifying Engineer - October 2008 - (Page 43)

Anyone can claim to go the distance. New technologies were developed, equipment efficiencies were mandated, and new societies such as the Assn. of Energy Engineers (AEE) and Certified Energy Manager (CEM) were created to establish a knowledge base and to certify technical credentials. All of the infant technologies were considered then: Hydronic solar systems with storage tanks, air solar systems with rock storage, geothermal, biofuels, wind power, and heat pumps. There were some successes, some failures, and often too many Rube Goldberg Designs, but that’s progress. The cost of energy started to recede, and after a time, public acceptance and the initiatives were diminished or forgotten. zations such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to establish guidelines and certification programs such as LEED, which may certify an individual’s ability to provide energy- and environmentally efficient designs. So once again we strive for a better world, efficient and clean. There is a greater awareness from a global perspective. Technology has improved and a plethora of innovative designs are flooding the market place. Is ROI worth it? In the past, most decisions were based on return on investment (ROI). Basically, ROI is There is a greater awareness from a global perspective. Technology has improved and a plethora of innovative designs are flooding the market place. Some may recall the government mandate during the Carter administration; officials required buildings to have the thermostats set to 68 F for heating and 78 F for cooling in an effort to reduce energy consumption. A simple idea that makes sense, except if you have a closed-circuit heat pump system that has a balance point of 70 to 72 F. These building systems consumed more energy because the heat pumps would attempt to cool the building to 68 F during the heating season. Today’s technology allows a greater degree of flexibility in setpoints and operation. Any of this sound familiar? Move forward about 30 years to the present, and we again have an acute awareness of our environment. Global warming, ozone depletion, airborne toxins, and rising energy costs--we should all be concerned, but we should also be cautious. Terms such as “green,” “sustainable,” and “highperformance buildings” are great buzzwords that mean many things to many people. We have created new organithe measure of how fast a company could recover the costs of an additional investment for upgrading to a more efficient design over the more traditional systems of the era. This still exists to some extent today, but there is something different, a new spin, a sense of urgency, social responsibility, political correctness, and public image. All of these comprise a somewhat intangible, softer side of the decision making process. In some instances, decisions are being made because it feels good, not because it makes sense technically or financially, but because it presents a good image. This can be a recipe for disaster. How often have you made a purchase or did something because it felt good at the moment, only to regret your actions? That potential exists today, and as design professionals we have an obligation to provide sound judgment and guidance to our clients regarding the appropriate design application. We need to provide advice regarding whether it work, how well will it work, whether it is practical, and the AERCO. Built better to last longer. Benchmark Boilers. Proven technologies and superior materials make the difference. Twenty years of high-efficiency experience go into every unit we sell. Designed and warranted for condensing operation and thermal shock, AERCO utilizes stainless steel fireside materials for superior corrosion resistance and unmatchable performance … year after year. To learn more visit www.aerco.com/bm2 Heat You Can Bank On Copyright 2008 AERCO International, Inc. Input #227 at csemag.com/quickResponse Consulting-Specifying Engineer • OCTOBER 2008 43 http://www.aerco.com/bm2 http://www.aerco.com/bm2 http://www.csemag.com/quickResponse

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer - October 2008

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - October 2008 Contents Viewpoint Letters News M/E Roundtable Cities Under One Roof Eight Design Tips for Integration Is 'Green' Really New? Down the Drain Product of the Year Awards Codes & Standards Case Study New Products Equipment Lifecycles Advertiser Index Green Space

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - October 2008

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