FRESCo is always looking for the next technology that will help save energy, reduce GHGs and be a cost-effective solution that we can offer our clientele. We have been fortuitous to be involved in several pilot initiatives that test out new technology. This has included the FortisBC Condensing Makeup Air Pilot project, which successfully demonstrated high levels of energy savings. This led to the development of a new rebate program for this technology.
Here are some examples of current/recent projects:
Absorption is common for large chillers worldwide and emerging for domestic combined heat and DHW. GAHP’s are making their way into new applications in North America. FRESCo is acting as the energy specialist on pilot sites that are testing out the use of this technology for domestic hot water in multi-family buildings. The technology has the potential to achieve much higher levels of efficiency than are available by conventional high-efficiency gas-fired appliances (e.g. condensing boilers).
Potential Benefits:
FortisBC wanted to evaluate the energy impacts of on-demand recirculation controls and engaged FRESCo to support a pilot project to test Enovative’s technology.
Domestic hot water (“DHW”) recirculation systems in commercial buildings reduce the waiting time that building occupants experience when they make a hot water draw far away from the water heater. Typically, the recirculation pump operates continuously, pumping water from the water heater through a loop that traverses around the entire building and returns to the water heater. The DHW in the loop is maintained at an elevated temperature, resulting in significant heat loss, whether or not there is demand for DHW.
The purpose of demand controls is to operate the recirculation pump only in response to DHW demand. This results in lower temperatures in the DHW loops and less pump operation, leading to a potential 5-20% of natural gas and electricity savings.
How could demand control technology deliver energy savings?
What are the potential long-term benefits?