Control Systems

569

Figure 22-13. User-friendly Control System Checklist (Continued)

570 Energy Management Handbook

Figure 22-13. User-friendly Control System Checklist (Concluded)

Figure 22-14. Typical Control

Equipment Life Spans
Control Systems 571
Figure 22-15. Basic Lighting Control Applications
22.14 ADVANCED ENERGY-SAVING
CONTROL APPLICATIONS
(See Figures 22-17 and 22-18.)
22.15 FACILITIES OPERATIONS
CONTROL APPLICATIONS
Automatic controls, especially DDC controls, can be
very valuable tools for facilities personnel. Computerized
maintenance management, early detection, remote servic-
ing, automatic notification, trends and logs, and other fea-
tures can be used to improve facility operational quality.
See Figure 22-19. See also Chapter 12–Energy Management
Control Systems.
22.16 CONTROL SYSTEM APPLICATION
PITFALLS TO AVOID
Automatic control system choices can affect facility
operations; consequently, there are many things to con-
sider when investing in a control system. Figure 22-20
shows some common pitfalls to avoid in applying DDC
automatic controls. Refer also to Figure 22-12 and Figure
22-13 for successful and user-friendly features to strive for.
Exclusion of any of these items can become a pitfall as well.
22.17 COSTS AND BENEFITS OF
AUTOMATIC CONTROL
Refer to Figure 22-21. Automatic controls are unique
in that they often provide both tangible and intangible
costs and benefits. Tangible benefits, like other energy-
related projects, include energy savings and demand
savings. Intangible benefits are those that are difficult to
quantify or predict. Some of these only apply to digital
control systems.
22.18 ESTIMATING SAVINGS FROM
APPLIED AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
22.18.1 Introduction
Economic barriers are among the greatest obstacle
for the energy professional, and automatic controls are
no exception. While it is often easy to visualize that sav-
ings will occur from automatic control improvements, es-
timating them can be a very daunting and intimidating
challenge. This presents a dilemma to the energy profes-
sional since cost justification is almost always an expecta-
tion. Projects that have merit but defy quantification may
be overlooked.
Done accurately, the cost saving calculations can be
laborious and expensive, posing a barrier to otherwise vi-
572 Energy Management Handbook
Figure 22-16. Basic HVAC Control Applications (Continued)
able projects. One approach is to produce reasonable esti-
mates using abbreviated estimating methods or “rules of
thumb” where possible. As with all estimates, being con-
servative is a key to success so that project performance
is seen to under-sell and over-deliver. Even when not a con-
tract requirement to guarantee savings, there is always an
expectation that the estimated costs and savings come to
pass; further, the credibility of the energy professional is
built largely on the accuracy of these estimates. Bearing
in mind that there will always be uncertainties and un-
controlled variables at work, it is usually good practice to
de-rate the calculated savings. By artificially reducing sav-
ings (de-rating) and artificially increasing projected costs
(contingency allowance), two things happen.
Effect of de-rating project estimated savings:
• The odds of project economic performance exceed-
ing expectations increases.