Building Automation Talking Points

Goal: To Develop a Resource which encompasses buidling automation talking points and flows all the way through to installation, commissioning and has a plan of use throughout the lifespan of the building.

Step: List how a building controls interface can be utilized:
▪ To reduce energy usage in a building via building controls
▪ To gain points towards LEED certification
▪ In regards to the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction

List: To reduce energy usage in a building via building controls

▪ Buildings are at the heart of our energy and climate issues.

▪ Electricity Generation is responsible for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions.(1)

▪ Buildings are responsible for about 48% of greenhouse gas emissions.(1)

▪ These emissions increase at times of peak electric demand. Utilities must fire their least efficient and highest polluting power plants to meet peak electric demand.

▪ These points should emphasize that HVAC, automation and energy efficiency are highly important parts of the equation.

▪ Talk about energy and demand response.

▪ Verification

▪ Have an alarm generated and emailed to you whenever part of the system is operating outside of company parameters.

▪ You are working late and override the lights, an alarm is generated and you can automatically be emailed of this. Now you can forward the detail to accounting with your approval.

▪ Occupancy sensors traditionally have no verification of how they are working, except when occupants complain about it. With Building controls you can set alarms to show when it is activated and when it is de-activated, these can be set up as a report and checked periodically or you can create an alarm to notify you that it is staying on for an extended period of time or not coming on at all during occupied times.


To gain points towards LEED certification

USGBC: LEED Rating Systems

LEED checklist for Commercial Interiors

LEED for Existing Buildings

LEED for Schools

LEED FAQ

What is LEED?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) Green Building Rating System encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.

LEED credit is given for:

▪ A carbon dioxide monitoring system that can provide data on the ventilation of spaces which then can be used to adjust the HVAC system.

▪ Temperature and Humidity monitoring systems integrated into the HVAC control system to maintain occupant comfort and automatically adjust conditions as needed.

▪ The building affords individual occupants or specific groups in multi-occupant spaces (conference rooms, classrooms, etc.) the capability to control the lighting, temperature and ventilation of their spaces. One credit is provided for perimeter and non-perimeter spaces. This level of individual control, while still maintaining overall system management, is part of programmable lighting and HVAC control systems. This type of control is often provided to occupants through touch screens or other smart building system(over the internet using the simple page interface).

▪ LEED will grant points for innovative ideas not covered by the Green Building Rating System or ideas that substantially exceed a LEED performance credit.

▪ One possible scenario could involve the cabling of the building. Extensive deployment of wireless within a building further reduces the need for cable and minimizes the use of materials.

▪ Displaying energy efficiency on an interactive display helps a building owner to earn credit towards the USGBC’s Innovation in Design LEED system, which recognizes companies for innovative strategies that demonstrate quantifiable environmental benefits. By setting up a simple page interface and displaying data from an energy meter or ct and allowing users to then adjust their lighting and/or hvac should allow a building owner to earn credit.


Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction

Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction

▪ Energy Policy Act of 2005/Commercial Building Tax Deduction establishes a tax deduction for expenses related to the design and installation of energy-efficient commercial buildings systems.

▪ Tax deduction is not a tax credit (an amount directly subtracted from the tax owed), but a deduction-an amount subtracted from gross taxable income.

▪ The deduction is only applicable to building systems installed before January 1, 2009.

▪ $1.80 per square foot of building area for the installation of systems that reduce the total energy and power costs by 50% or more when compared with a reference building. The building systems eligible to secure the tax deduction include:
▪ Interior lighting systems
▪ Heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water systems
▪ Building envelope

▪ The 50% reduction must be accomplished solely through energy and power consumption reductions for the heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and interior lighting sytems.

▪ Partial credit is available via several options:
▪ A tax deduction of $.60 per square foot may be claimed if a 16 2/3% energy reduction can be achieved through installing lighting, HVAC/heatin, or building envelope systems, or through a combination of the three systems.

(1)http://www.automatedbuildings.com/news/mar08/articles/ksin/080220034808ksin.htm