Event Description

Packaged rooftop units are used in more than 50 percent of all commercial buildings. With a focus on small- to medium-sized businesses, we’ll investigate how much they cost to operate. For example, did you know 20-30 percent of your utility costs could be due to demand charges? We’ll discuss these charges in basic terms, as well as numerous strategies to reduce them. We’ll dive deep into energy saving opportunities for existing units and review programmable thermostats, economizers, ventilation, controls and more. In addition, we’ll explore the decision process used to determine whether RTUs should be repaired or replaced when they fail or proactively replaced before they fail.

Agenda:
8 am: Registration and continental breakfast
8:30 AM –3 PM: Program (lunch and breaks provided)

Cost:
The registration fee for attending this full-day course is $129, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks. There is limited availability, so you are encouraged to register early.

General information:
Site information will be sent with your enrollment confirmation. If you have any special needs (e.g. dietary, physical), please let us know at the time of registration. All requests will be kept confidential.

Photo and video rights:
We reserve the right to use photographs taken during the event for promotional purposes. Also, this program may be videotaped for future publication.

Course outline:
Utility bill structure
Power quality versus reliability
Supply versus distribution costs
Energy versus demand charges
Taxes and fees
Packaged rooftop unit overview
Technology description
AHRI efficiency ratings
Programmable thermostats
How and why?
Internet accessible
Simple thermostat versus building automation systems
Stagger start to reduce demand charges
IECC requirements
Typical energy savings and payback
Economizers
Technology overview
Retro-fit option
Dry bulb versus enthalpy
Compressor staging reduction to reduce demand charges
IECC requirements
Typical energy savings and payback
Demand controlled ventilation
CO2 sensors and technology overview
Second easiest retro-fit option for most RTUs
Is it required by energy code? Is it allowed by mechanical code?
Target applications
Typical energy savings and payback
Staged air volume
How is SAV different than VAV?
What good is a VFD on a constant volume RTU?
How is it controlled?
Soft starting of inductive loads to reduce demand charges
Is it required by energy code?
Energy recovery ventilation
Technology overview
When does IECC 2015 energy code require an ERV?
Target applications
Typical energy savings and payback
Repair versus replace customer walk-thru scorecard
Tool used to help engage the facility manager in the process
Assigns a score to the system used to help determine replacement.

As a result of this course, you will be able to:
Explain a commercial building utility bill including how demand charges are calculated.
Discuss cost-effective strategies for RTUs to reduce both utility demand charges and energy consumption.
Specify the RTU related requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code, the current code in Wisconsin.
Discuss technologies such as economizers, demand controlled ventilation, staged air volume and energy recovery ventilation.

Who should attend?
Small- to medium-sized business owners, retail/office managers responsible for heating and cooling costs, HVAC system designers, engineers and contractors, energy efficiency specialists, facility and sustainability managers and anyone interested in learning more about reducing utility charges with commercial rooftop units.