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“Green”
Energy Services includes not only the use of renewable and non polluting
energy sources. It also includes the implementation of Energy Conservation
Opportunities whenever possible to reduce a clients carbon footprint
and energy consumption.
Carbon
Footprint
For every KW (kilowatt hour = 3414 BTU’s) reduction it eliminates
0.524 lbs of carbon dioxide (CO2) from being released into the atmosphere.
This helps the environment in a couple of ways. First it reduces
CO2 pollution and it also reduces the electrical demand on the local
utility.
For every gas
therm (approximately 100 cubic feet of gas, or 100,000 BTU’s)
reduction it eliminates 13.46 lbs. of CO2 from being released into
the atmosphere. Not only does this help reduce pollution and help
the environment it also reduces our dependence on imported natural
gas.
Joint
Venture
Mechanical Air Service has had a long history of providing energy
conservation opportunities for its clients and conducting certified
energy audits. From 1979 to 1985 Mechanical Air Service was the
exclusive installation and servicing contractor for a Utility Load
Demand Reduction Program joint venture between Pacific Gas &
Electric, Honeywell and Motorola. This volunteer program provided
commercial businesses with a proprietary radio controlled HVAC load
demand controller
When PGE’s
load demand increased to near maximum levels they would send a radio
signal to the Motorola receiver mounted on each units new control
panel. The signal activated the internal controller which would
raise the thermostat setpoint 1 degree per hour until a maximum
temperature of 78 degrees was reached.
The program
was a success and further established Mechanical Air Service as
a leader in the energy conservation field which was the early beginnings
of the Green energy
industry.
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Expertise
Mechanical Air Service has on staff a USGBC LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) member and a Certified Energy Manager
to assist clients with implementing strategies for introducing GREEN
energy usage and or energy conservation opportunities. In addition,
we have on staff an EPA Registered Environmental Assessor, a Certified
Lighting Efficiency Professional, a Certified Radiant Designer,
and a Certified Radiant System Installer. We also maintain a C-20
warm air heating license, C-10 electrical license and a C-4 boiler
hydronic/radiant license.
Below
is a partial list of “GREEN”
Energy Services we provide:
Commissioning
Services
Most commercial buildings and residences have HVAC systems installed
that have never been properly commissioned to verify they are actually
delivering the stated energy efficiencies. Significant amounts of
energy can be wasted if a system is not operating properly. Our
detailed commissioning services provide real time data regarding
actual system performance versus what the client expected and verification
of the actual energy rating of the installed equipment.
Duct
Testing
Research has shown that HVAC duct systems leak 10% to up to 50%
of their related airflow resulting in tremendous amounts of energy
being wasted. Our state of the art diagnostic and testing procedures
can easily identify those leaks so they can be repaired. We believe
clients should be able to use all the heating and cooling they pay
for.
Home
Leakage Testing
Our state of the art equipment can determine the actual leakage
rate of your home and determine where the most significant leak
areas are so they can be sealed. This can help save significant
amounts of energy and make your home more comfortable.
High
Efficiency Heating & Cooling Equipment
One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon foot print and save
on your utility bills is to always use the highest efficiency equipment
available. Also be aware that a poorly installed high efficiency
system will not save any energy. Utility rates for both electricity
and gas are constantly going up and the return on investment for
high efficiency equipment is short.
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Heat
Recovery Ventilators
These are effectively used to improve indoor air quality and help
reduce the negative air pressures in a home caused by bathroom exhaust
fans, laundry exhaust, clothes dryers and cooking exhaust. The HRV
transfers the heat content (no contaminates) of the exhaust air
to the new replacement outside air. This reduces the need to heat
or cool any make up air or infiltration air entering the home when
there is a negative air pressure present.
Hybrid
Heating Systems
A hybrid heating can also be referred to as a dual fuel heating
system. It is comprised of a high efficiency gas furnace and a high
efficiency heat pump air conditioning unit. The heat pump is simply
a reverse cycle air conditioner. In the cooling mode it removes
heat from inside your home.
In the heating
mode it removes heat from the outdoor air and transfers it to the
inside of your home. Most people don’t realize the outdoor
air has a sufficient amount of heat capacity down to approximately
17 degrees to heat your home.
The hybrid heating
system has the ability to use gas for heat or electricity to power
the heat pump to create heat. This would depend on which fuel source
is the most cost effective.
A hybrid heating
system is an excellent match for a home with a Solar PV (Photo Voltaic)
system. The inexpensive energy produced can be used to operate the
heat pump.
Economizers
(Free Cooling)
Fresh air economizers have been in use in the commercial market
for decades. Their use in residential homes is gaining popularity
because of high energy costs and concern about the environment.
Substantial energy savings, reduced compressor run time and improved
indoor air quality in the home are some of the benefits.
Radiant
Floor Heating Systems
Radiant heating which uses low temperature water, approximately
105 degrees depending on how it’s installed and the thermal
factor of your floor coverings is typically 30% more efficient than
a high efficiency heating system. Warm water is circulated through
tubes in the floor or under the subfloor to gently warm your home
with no drafts or moving air. Radiant heating is the primary source
of heating in most European countries because the utility costs
are so high. Radiant heating can be used in new construction as
well as when remodeling. An additional benefit is the self adjusting
of its water temperature based on the need in the home and the outdoor
temperature. Whenever obtaining bids for a radiant system always
be sure the contractor has a C-4 (Boiler, radiant heat/hydronic
heat) California Contractors license and is a member in good standing
with a radiant industry trade/education organization such as the
Radiant Panel Association (RPA).
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Solar/Radiant
Integration
Homes with solar hot water panels can significantly decrease the
cost to operate a radiant floor heating system when both systems
are integrated.
Hydronic Heating Systems
This method of heating circulates water through hot water coils
in air handlers (fan coils) in your home or business. An additional
benefit is the self adjusting of its water temperature based on
the need in the home and the outdoor temperature. Whenever obtaining
bids for a hydronic or radiant system always be sure the contractor
has a C-4 (Boiler, radiant heat/hydronic heat) California Contractors
license and is a member in good standing with an industry trade/education
organization such as the Radiant Panel Association (RPA).
Heat Reclaim (Free Heat)
Heat reclaim can be a highly effective energy saving option. This
system captures the heat rejected from the air conditioners or chiller
which would normally be discharged to the outdoors and sends it
to the pool, the radiant system, hydronic heating system or domestic
hot water pre-heat. Any or all of these things can be combined in
a heat reclaim system with the proper controls.
Thermal
Energy Storage
Thermal energy storage is an effective method for shifting up to
2/3 of the HVAC load in a home to after hour’s non peak periods.
This is particularly effective when the home is using a time of
use electrical meter such as when a solar PV system is installed.
Current research and development will soon bring these systems to
the high end residential market.
Micro
Co-Generation
A significant amount of research is being done in this area to provide
distributed co-generation systems for large homes. Currently systems
are being tested using gas driven (extremely quiet) electrical generation
as well as fuel cells. These systems are very efficient at generating
electricity and provide waste heat recovery for heating the home.
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Geothermal
We are a certified geothermal heat pump installer. Geothermal systems
are very energy efficient but expensive to install. The typical
payback period for a geothermal system installation is 12-15 years.
These are very environmentally friendly systems.
Thermal
Imaging
Through the use of our sensitive thermal imaging equipment we can
identify heat leakage in a home or office building, poor insulation,
roof leaks, moisture hidden in walls and moisture in foundations.
Thermal imaging has the ability to view the thermal characteristics
of electrical breakers, motors, loose wires and other electrically
related items that are beginning to fail. This allows for replacement
of the item prior to its failure to eliminate downtime. We also
utilize thermal imaging to verify radiant floor heating systems
are operating correctly. Our camera can even see the thermal characteristics
of a radiant heat circuit in concrete.
Environmentally
Friendly Freon
We exclusively install new equipment which uses R-410A a Freon which
has a zero ozone depletion level. R-22 Freon which has been the
industry standard for decades is being phased out in new equipment
effective in 2010. We started using this environmentally friendly
Freon in 2003 many years before it would be required.
If you have
questions concerning these services, please contact
us.
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