ATS Integrated Solutions

BUILDING SOLUTIONS

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Temperature Controls

Renovating today.

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We recently completed a job for the LG&E campus in downtown Louisville. This one in particular was a “little bit out of the ordinary, but nothing we can’t handle,” said Brian Arkels, the Project Manager who led the project team onsite.

All projects we’ve handled for the past year have had strict Covid restrictions in place for everyone’s safety. This one was no different.

Of course at a campus like LG&E, we were also working in a secure location with restricted access.

This was a mechanical renovation happening concurrently with other projects. Our piece was switching out the Variable Air Volume (VAV) Boxes, which allow for different temperature settings to be controlled within one space. In the end, this saves energy (yes, even for the energy company). Basically, each VAV box provides the ultimate in individual comfort for people.

The building was mostly vacant during our portion of the job, simply due to work-from-home orders happening at the same time.

Because the building was vacant, the building management made several change orders throughout the process, and ended up replacing more than originally planned. Companies, who have taken advantage of their empty buildings, are definitely feeling the rewards of doing so. Change orders allowed for redesign throughout the renovation, and our team was able to roll with those changes on the spot.

Now, the LG&E campus has all new air handlers and they work together, properly, with the controls.

“Sure, it might seem a little strange to be a contractor and a customer at the same time, but we’re professionals, we didn’t have any issue with it,” Brian said.

 

Outdoor temperatures are changing… so should your indoor temperatures…

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Our team helps our customers manage their systems efficiently through their controls. In some cases we install these controls and in some we service (and, of course, in many we do both). We work with clients to train them on best practices but also have the capability to manage them on their behalf.

It’s important to be ahead of this process. There’s no reason to have employees uncomfortable due to indoor climate. We can work with you to make it right.

Typically, most of the work recommended or required for changing from summer to winter modes is mechanical-related. I have listed below some items that are control related.

  • Outdoor air units verify proper functionality of dampers:
    • An area often overlooked is the outdoor air dampers. These are often out of adjustment, or not functioning at all. Properly maintained outdoor air dampers are an area for potential energy savings as well.
  • Low ambient air safeties are in place and functional
    • One of the items we deem critical for preheating season checks is the low ambient safeties. We verify they are in place, with no apparent damage, and functional. This allows protection for the heating/cooling coils in an air handler unit.  
  • Verify that Low ambient protection controls sequence is functioning properly
    • If applicable we like to verify the low ambient control sequence is in place and functional. This is where when a unit trips because of low ambient air temperatures inside a unit the controls would open the valves and start the pumps to maintain a flow until the reason for the tripped safety can be determined and corrected. The intent is to prevent the freezing of a coil inside the unit.
  • Verify proper operation of gas valve and heating valves
    • We like to verify the proper operation of heating valves in VAV boxes and gas valves where applicable. This allows for better occupant comfort during the winter months. 
  • If appropriate verify Boiler functionality and confirm controls sequences
    • When a customer has a boiler, we try to coordinate with the customer’s mechanical contractor to go over the operation and verify the controls sequence is working as designed prior to heating season. 
  • Verify proper operation and CFM discharge of VAV boxes with electric reheat
    • When a VAV box (Variable Air Volume) with electric reheat, it is important to verify airflow. This ensures that heat will be there when called for, allowing for better occupant comfort and less cold spots through out the building.

If your company isn’t sure the best protocols for managing these control-related issues, call us for an assessment. Reach us at 800-567-1180.