The increasing demands of end users of properties in terms of the efficiency of HVAC equipment forces the industry to develop and propose new alternatives that meet the needs of its customers.
by Alfredo Sotolongo*
The most economical energy to produce is the one that is saved!
I would like to continue my last opinion article focusing on the issue from an economic-financial point of view and how it is reflected in investors and / or property owners.
We call PCI or Integrated Central Plant to the application of central plants with magnetic coolers that do not use oil and that are also controlled by an intelligent system. An Integrated Central Plant allows all components: chillers, water pumps and cooling towers to always operate at the point of optimal efficiency of each one or very close.
In this relatively new concept of integrated central cooling plant, the control system allows to achieve efficiencies never seen before. This system takes advantage of the diversity factor, considerably reduces the emission of gases and allows, in many cases, to recover the investment in less than three years.
It has been proven that in our tropical countries and especially in those where the outside air contains high enthalpy values, the cost of operating the air conditioning represents a considerable percentage of the total cost of operation and maintenance of the building, sometimes exceeding 50%.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relates energy savings to the economic benefits of operating a property. For example, a 40% saving in the reduction of energy consumption that is achieved with an Integrated Central Plant, can increase the income in the operation considerably.
There are international government institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean, which offer long-term financing for energy-saving systems that contribute to the reduction of gas emissions. As the investment is recovered in the very short term, it allows to pay the financing with the savings in the cost of energy. If you are interested in proposing this type of financing to your clients, we will gladly guide you in the steps to follow to achieve it.
Economic-financial benefits are a key factor in increasing the value of a property. Nowadays real estate investors demand returns on their investment of 10% to 20%. Industry calculations suggest that existing projects in which the original and probably obsolete central plant is replaced by an Integrated Central Plant directly leads to increased property value.
In addition, with each passing day, the tenants of the building are more educated when it comes to energy saving and its multiple benefits, demanding more efficient systems. This is especially important for owners of existing buildings as they have to compete against new buildings with more modern and efficient air conditioning systems.
The economic-financial analysis must take into account the following items during the life cycle of the Integrated Central Plant: a) Initial Cost.
(b) Cost of installation.
(c) Energy consumption.
(d) Reduction in maintenance cost.
e) Extension in the useful life of the equipment.
During the life cycle of an Integrated Central Plant, in about 20 years, there can be savings of more than 50% of the aforementioned costs compared to a traditional plant.
Consulting engineers can use an Integrated Central Plant lifecycle analysis to show their customers the benefits derived from this application.
If you need more information on any of the topics covered in this column, please contact me at the email [email protected]
* President of Protec, Inc., is certified as a professional engineer in Puerto Rico and the state of Florida; has more than 40 years of experience in the application and sale of systems and equipment for energy conservation. He is a member of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), AEE (Association of Energy Engineers), ASHRAE and was president of the Miami chapter of that association.
