Building Management Hawaii - February/March 2012 - (Page 24)

The Changing Shape of Air Conditioning By Chris Mikesell reen technology helps to keep Hawaii’s HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) companies in the black. New products and strategies keep cooling bills down and systems running efficiently. It’s not enough for A/C to just be green; it has to be smart as well. G What’s Hot in Cooling? Air conditioning installation and operation can make or break a client’s energy budget, which is one reason why specialists like Jackson Cheng, general manager of sales at Alakai Mechanical Corp., say there is a “tremendous push” to go green with energyefficient buildings. “Energy consumption of the HVAC system is one of the major contributors (to cost) and represents a key component in reducing energy usage,” says Cheng. He says that the key to reducing energy consumption is to adopt and retrofit new technologies and improve control systems. “On the commercial side, LEED (Leadership in Energy The Carrier AquaForce 30XW line of water-cooled chillers exceed ASHRAE 90.1 standards and qualify for LEED credits. and Environmental Design) certification, cost reduction and energy savings are coming to the forefront as decision drivers,” adds John Arizumi, president of Carrier Hawaii. Keith Chan, principal of Notkin Hawaii, confirms that LEED standards are playing a more prominent role in building designs and renovations. Chan says his company is focusing on commissioning and its requirements not only for building codes, but also for LEED certification. In the regulatory area, adds Michael Chang, deputy program manager of Hawaii Energy, “The state and counties are in the review process to adopt new building codes (International Energy Conservation Code 2009) that will require higher minimum efficiency levels for A/C equipment – based on newer ASHRAE standards – as well as building envelope improvements to keep heat out and lighting efficiency requirements that will lower heat input to the buildings.” Chang also is the current president of the Hawaii chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE). New Technology As green technology continues to grow, many HVAC companies continue to develop cool new ways to tap into that demand. One of the biggest changes Drew Santos, president of Admor HVAC Products, Inc., sees is the growing use of inverter compressors in refrigerant-based systems to adjust the strength of a unit to address a room’s cooling needs. More manufacturers like Fujitsu and Maytag, Santos says, are incorporating the technology in their air conditioners. “Inverter technology has changed the game when it comes to energy efficiency,” says Santos. He explains that while federal guidelines for A/C units manufactured after Jan. 23, 2006 mandated a minimum SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) of 13, systems older than that could easily have SEER of six or less. Now, “we are seeing www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com 24 February-March 2012 BMH http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii - February/March 2012

Cover
Editorial
Associations
Movers and Shakers
Aimee Harris, Trade Publishing’s New Editorial Director
Energy-generating Elevators
Rooftop Evolution: The Convergence of Roofing and Energy Technologie
Being Smart About PV Systems
Hawaii Energy and You
Solar Leasing Programs Lower Costs and Maintenance
Shifting Winds: The Changing Shape of A/C
How Safe Is Your Safety Glass?
Window Glazing as a Source of Water Leaks
Technologically Advanced Window Films Provide Smart Solutions
Hawaii Buildings, Facilities and Property Management Expo 2012

Building Management Hawaii - February/March 2012