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Energy Tracking
"The key to identifying opportunities and sustaining improvement”
Tracking and analyzing energy use is the key to improving the energy performance of a building. It facilitates not only the identification of conservation opportunities, but quantifies them. It is used to verify the effectiveness of conservation projects. Long term, it ensures that the improvement is sustained. Sources of data for energy tracking are utility invoices and regular meter readings. Comparison of this data to key indicators, such as weather, occupancy or production, and to historical data, provides an ongoing check on building performance. The Carmichael Group can set up an energy tracking system for your facility and provide you with periodic reports that show how you are using energy and where opportunities exist for improvement.
The Carmichael Group promotes a system-by-system approach to identifying energy conservation opportunities. We believe that a detailed investigation of significant energy consumers is preferable to an overview of the entire facility. Once a system is targeted for improvement, the first step is a system audit. It starts with a thorough review of the as-built data, operating conditions, drawings and specifications. After analyzing the collected data, we provide a detailed report for that system including recommendations, potential cost savings and estimated implementation costs. The recommendations target energy use reduction, but also address extending equipment life expectancy, maintaining precise control of conditions and reducing maintenance costs.
The Carmichael Group provides project management services for the implementation of energy conservation projects. This includes definition of the scope of work, coordination of the resources, and development and control of the project budget and schedule. We can assist our clients with bidding and/or purchasing. Our approach is “hands-on” using extensive personal contact with both the client and contractors.
Many buildings use a computerized energy management and control system (EMCS) to control and monitor the HVAC, lighting and process utility systems. They are generally very capable; with the ability to not only provide precise control, but automation, alarm annunciation, data collection and reporting. Often, we find that the EMCS is under-utilized. Sometimes, the programming has not evolved with the building. Other times, changes made to resolve operational issues result in wasted energy. We have the building operations experience and the mechanical design background to re-program your EMCS to match your needs and the actual operating characteristics of building.
As systems and control strategies become more complicated, the need for clear, concise documentation becomes extremely important. Documentation is used for training personnel, solving problems, and recording the design and the equipment installed. We will compile your existing technical documentation into the format of your choice - hard copy, electronic or both. We add content that explains the operation of the system based on the theory and the design of the system. This is supplemented with quick reference tools, troubleshooting guides and schematic drawings.
The Carmichael Group develops technical training programs customized to your building, your organization and your personnel. We connect the theory to the design, and then the design to the actual operation. Our objective is to develop an improved understanding of each system within your facility’s personnel. Training materials include electronic presentations and handouts. The actual training combines lecture style with interactive exercises and always includes testing to confirm understanding.
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