Only a few days until summer officially begins but the temperature changes have already set records! Weather reports estimate that the 2017 season will be hotter than average, and facility managers need to factor this into their seasonal adjustments to ensure smooth operations during the sweltering months. Here are a few tips to protect your equipment against the heat, increase uptime, and keep everyone comfortable this summer:
Update your store hours
Many businesses open earlier and close later in the summer months, but if hours aren’t updated in your EMS (or BMS) the temperature inside won’t reflect the open hours, resulting in uncomfortable customers. Updating these hours can be a tedious task, but by using GridPoint’s bulk edit feature, users can update multiple locations simultaneously with just a few clicks. The advanced scheduling feature compliments your store hours by enabling multiple sets of hours to be set up by GridPoint support teams with different energy settings. These could be for when employees are on-site but the location is closed, during busy periods, or during slow periods.
Establish setpoints
Who doesn’t love the feeling of walking in a cool building after being outside on a 100 degree day? But over-cooling your space can kill your energy budget and put unnecessary strain on your HVAC units. GridPoint’s smart building technology considers external weather data to ensure that location’s internal temperature remains comfortable and that HVAC functionality is optimized. GridPoint’s Dynamic Setpoint Algorithm is a safety net that makes sure your HVAC units adjust automatically to unexpected temperature changes. Users can then set a more modest setpoint without fear of fluctuation. Of course, overrides can be done from the on-site controller or remotely by a mobile device if needed.
Assess HVAC unit health proactively before an issue occurs
HVAC maintenance can be costly, but not as costly as a replacement unit or the downtime that results from a unit that has failed. Instead of scheduling a traditional, seasonal maintenance checkup, GridPoint’s automated HVAC Scope test tool should be run to test each HVAC unit, at each stage, before the hottest months arrive. This test provides insight into the health of each unit and enables facility managers to identify and prioritize maintenance needs. The tool not only optimizes a technician’s time on-site, but can also validate a repair immediately to eliminate any additional truck rolls.
Implement additional algorithms aligned with your business needs
GridPoint’s technology incorporates patented algorithms to further optimize energy usage, increase comfort, and protect equipment. Curtail your loads automatically to meet target load limits, efficiently transition zones between unoccupied and occupied temperatures, remove humidity from your sites, improve your air quality, or shield equipment during a voltage imbalance.
Enroll in a Demand Response program
Demand Response programs are offered by many local utilities, contact your provider to inquire about opportunities in your area. These programs enable utility customers to contribute to energy load reductions during times of peak demand in exchange for an incentive. This results in improved service to the whole geographic area, saves energy, and saves energy expense. This is a great way to be environmentally supportive, save money, and still operate your facility with comfort in mind.
Run reports to benchmark your usage
Reports are a great way to compare equipment performance or energy usage at a site against itself or across other sites over a period of time. Reports visualize anomalies or failures, and can also help identify opportunities for performance improvements. By establishing a baseline, users can adopt realistic energy strategies that are aligned with their department and company goals.
For more information on GridPoint’s smart building technology or anything discussed in this post, contact us.