Why Monitor Energy?
The Days of Blindly Paying Utility Bills are Gone
Energy consumption can be compared to multiple leaks in the hull of a large boat. Yesterday's manufacturers and building operators simply turned on the bilge pumps never having the ability to find the 'leaks'. Today's technology and the Hawkeye System make it simple and affordable to find and fix the energy leaks. When the energy leaks are identified there is no need to blindly compensate with even more energy consumption. You simply cannot control energy usage if you cannot identify where it is leaking. The Hawkeye System identifies where the energy is leaking which allows you to control your energy consumption in real time.
Equipment and Systems are always Changing
Motors, bushings and bearings wear out. System operators also change settings and procedures. How does the system respond? The system responds by drawing more energy. The system can draw more energy for weeks, months or even years before anyone will know. The Hawkeye System shows system changes before they have a costly impact. System changes simply cannot hide from the Hawkeye System real time monitoring with data storage every 15 minutes!
Equipment Down Time
Wouldn't it be great if someone could warn you a week before a motor failed? The Hawkeye System produces a base line energy usage from day one. This baseline information allows you to identify changes in energy usage. With the Hawkeye System, the wasteful energy usage, the headaches and not to mention the down time can all be avoided.
Upgrading Equipment May Not Save Energy
In many cases adjustments can be made to existing systems that equal or even exceed the real energy savings achieved by costly new equipment upgrades. Avoid costly and unnecessary equipment upgrades by monitoring what you have before you make any changes. The unfortunate truth is that most proposed equipment and system upgrades overstate energy savings. When you have an operating history at your fingertips, you can make cost effective decisions. Time and time again the Hawkeye System monitoring simply pays for itself.
Demand Charges
Demand charges can account for up to 50% of the total energy bill for industrial and commercial users. Utility companies typically track the highest energy demand for one short period of time. That period of time is usually only 15, 30 or 60 minutes. The utility company then computes the monthly "demand charge" based on the highest single demand recorded in any of the last 11 months. The Hawkeye System can track peak demand loads in real time. If demand loads rise past a critical point, the system can automatically email key personnel or it can be customized to automatically shed loads. This translates to significant energy cost savings. With the Hawkeye Monthly Report package, we will assist you with identifying demand loads, setting up load shedding schedules and reducing demand load charges.
Demand Response Programs (DRP's)
Many utility companies offer demand response programs to encourage customers to reduce energy usage during peak periods of demand. If your facility qualifies for a DRP, the cost savings can be significant. The Hawkeye System has a built in DRP program response protocol. In response to a utility company signal, the system can automatically email key personnel or it can be customized to automatically shed loads. As part of the Hawkeye Monthly Report package we will keep you informed about new and changing utility programs. We can also assist with applying for and expediting these programs. Demand charges can account for up to 50% of the total energy bill!
Power Factor and Power Quality
Many utility companies charge additional fees for low power factors. Low power factors are mostly caused by building inductive loads. Typical inductive loads include electric motors, arc welders, solenoids, induction heaters, lifting magnets and transformers. In addition to building inductive loads, electric equipment uses more power to overcome poor power quality. Poor power quality can be in the form of unbalanced voltage or voltage sags from the utility company, harmonic distortion or transient over-voltages. The Hawkeye System monitors power factor and power quality to maximize your energy efficiency.
"Induction motors are generally the principle cause of low power factor because there are so many in use, and they are usually not fully loaded . The correction of this condition of LOW power factor is a problem of vital economic importance in the generation, distribution and utilization of a-c power." |
EPACT 2005
The "Commercial Building Tax Deduction" establishes a tax deduction for energy efficient building expenditures made by a building owner. A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1. Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. These tax deductions are available for systems placed in service from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013. Hawkeye Energy Solutions will work with state and federal agencies to maximize incentives for your projects.
www.energy.gov
State and Local Incentives
A variety of state and local incentives are available for renewable energy and energy conservation projects. Please use the following link to find the state incentives in your area.
www.dsireusa.org
Tenant Cost Allocation
The energy usage of one tenant is never the same as the next. Property managers can reduce the headaches of unhappy tenants and constant turn-over with the Hawkeye System. The Hawkeye System is ideal for tenant energy cost allocation. The system is affordable, reliable and expandable and it is web based for easy access. The monthly, weekly or even daily reports are also simple and easy to read. Reduce your headaches and increase the value of your properties by sub-metering with the Hawkeye System.
Measurement and Verification
Operating schedules and system settings are crucial for achieving energy savings. The Hawkeye System provides reliable and accurate energy usage information on existing systems which makes it easy to back up capital expenditures on energy saving upgrades. Whether a system is new or it is upgraded, energy saving goals are achieved by monitoring energy usage.
Monitoring is Positive
Monitoring energy is great for company image and it is a win-win situation for employers and employees alike. Studies have shown that facilities can save up to 5% of energy costs by simply making employees and/or departments accountable for energy usage. When employees become aware of energy usage, it becomes a game to exceed energy saving goals. Employees feel more involved, the work place is greener and the bottom line is improved.
USGBC (Leed Points)
Energy monitoring goes hand in hand with United States Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED certification. A maximum of 10 points is available for LEED certification with the ability to monitor and optimize energy usage. Installing a monitoring system alone is worth 1 point for measurement and verification.
www.usgbc.org
Contact us today and get started saving energy!
