ROI - Statistical Perspectives
An Investment in Convia Achieves Financial Objectives
Convia controls in your building create efficiency in your energy management strategy, reducing the amount of unused electricity while increasing the amount of money you can save in the process. Here are some statistics that support the value of these controls:
Lighting
Plug Load/Office Equipment
HVAC - Heating/Cooling
Demand Response
Ongoing Commissioning
EPACT Legislation
Reconfiguration
Lighting
Occupancy Sensing • Scheduled Dimming • Daylight Harvesting- Convia can help reduce energy consumption by as much as 30% versus the ASHRAE 90.1 2004 standard, and it costs 32% less to implement a bundled energy strategy with Convia than with traditional electric. [1]
- In a typical commercial building with 50,000 square feet, about $45,000 is spent on lighting energy each year. Convia spaces typically use less than 50% of the electricity required by even the most efficient switched lighting systems.
- According to Energy Star, every dollar invested in an energy efficiency upgrade can produce between $2 and $3 in increased asset value.
- Convia can provide the automatic shutoff control of lights after hours required by ASHRAE 90.1-2004
- Typically, 70% to 80% of the electrical energy used by lighting ends up in the conditioned space as heat. Upgrading to energy efficient lighting can also reduce electrical and cooling loads by eliminating heat generated by the lighting system.
- As outlined in the Energy Star Building Upgrade Manual, a strategy that combines efficient lighting technologies, controls, and appropriate light levels is the most effective approach to meeting energy efficiency goals, including those required to qualify for the partial tax deduction. [2]
- Convia helps qualify a building for federal energy tax credits of up to $1.80 per square foot of a building, of which, $0.60 is associated with reduced lighting consumption.
- Energy bills for the approximately 78 billion square feet of existing commercial space in the U.S. total $110 billion annually. [3] The EPA estimates that increasing energy efficiency could save more than $25 billion of this expense. [4]
- Energy Reduction percentages made possible by using occupancy sensors: Office 25-50%; Restroom 30-75%; Meeting Room 22-65%. Potential Energy Savings from Occupancy Sensors (Est. Time Unoccupied by the US EPA) Private Offices 13-50%; Classrooms 40-46%; Restrooms 30-90%; Conference Rooms 22-65%; Corridors 30-80%; Storage Areas 45-80%. [5]
- For daylight harvesting, light levels are recorded through the Sensor Interface Modules (SIMs) on the network, Convia’s Global Gateway can be programmed to dim lights to a predefined level.
[1] “Flexibility and Advanced Energy Design with Convia” The Weidt Group, 10 Nov 2006
[2] ENERGY STAR
[3] AIA 50/50
[4] Federal Energy Management Program, "Occupancy Sensors", 26 Jun 2003
[5] Florida Power and Light, 2003
Plug Load/Office Equipment
Occupancy Sensing • Timed Power Sweeps • Timed Shutdowns- Powering down non-essential devices when a space is not occupied can save companies up to 20% of annual energy use.
- $25 to $75 a year can be saved per computer with power management features, according to Energy Star.
- Termed “phantom load,” the energy drawn by dormant devices from an electrical outlet can represent up to 5% of a facility’s overall power usage at any given time, and adds up to more than $3 billion in annual energy costs in the U.S. [6]
- If all of the world’s 1 billion PCs were powered down for just one night, it would save enough energy to light up New York City’s Empire State Building – inside and out – for more than 30 years. [7]
- Powering down non-essential devices such as task lights, space heaters, battery chargers, and other peripherals when a space is not occupied can save companies up to 20% of annual energy use, which translates to direct financial savings.
- According to the US Department of Energy, a 30% reduction in energy use can yield the equivalent of a 5% increase in Net Operating Income (NOI) and overall asset value.
- Convia lighting control products provide the “high level of lighting system control for individual occupants and specific groups in multi-occupant spaces to promote the productivity, comfort and well being of building occupants” specified by for LEED certification [5] with a comprehensive suite of energy measures including open and closed-loop daylighting, central lighting management, automatic-off, automatic-on at 50% as well as Web-based individual and workgroup lighting control screens available for all zones on the Convia system. Each of these efforts can assist with acquiring the Energy & Atmosphere Credit 1.2 and Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 6.1 for LEED certification.
- In a 100,000 square foot space, a single 1500 watt space heater, used only 20% of the time for six months, can produce up to 125 pounds of CO2 emissions a year. A standard PC and monitor in the same space, powered and used all day, produces 161 pounds. A simple desk lamp emits 69 pounds of CO2. By adding each these devices together and multiplying by the number of workstations in a building, a clear picture of total energy costs emerges.
- When an occupancy sensor determines a worker has left the room, the Convia system can power down light levels and reset thermostat settings. Pre-programmed power sweeps and targeted plug load control can work together to further reduce electrical drawdown, especially on weekends and after-hours when electronics are simply not in use.
[6] Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Study. Alan Meier. 1998
[7] PC Energy Report 2009, Andy Lawrence, Research Director, Eco-Efficient IT, The 451 Group, November 2008
HVAC - Heating/Cooling
Occupancy Based Settings • Scheduled Settings- Even buildings with systems correctly matched to peak load requirements will operate at partial load conditions more than 90% of the time. [8] Convia offers HVAC controls that expertly address this opportunity.
- Automated systems used in several industrial U.S. case studies have indicated an average payback period for computer controls for HVAC of about 1.3 years. [9]
- Convia systems can operate even more precisely than day-parting by employing occupancy sensors to actively determine when a space is empty. When an occupancy sensor determines workers have left a room, the Convia system can power down light levels and reset thermostat settings.
- The Convia framework facilitates integrated design and thus, the associated cost benefits. Occupancy sensors, for example, will not only trigger lights to go on, they will signal the HVAC system to react as well.
- The California Energy Commission estimates a 1-3% energy savings in summer for each degree the thermostat is set above 72°. Programming the HVAC set points between 74-78° will earn a company a net savings of 3-5% while people are in the space being cooled.
- The initial costs of a building and HVAC system that achieve a 30% reduction in annual energy costs can usually be recouped within 3 to 5 years.
- A single Convia Enabled component can be used for building-wide control strategies.
- Additionally, Convia’s logical hierarchy enables association of a single sensor with multiple appliances (e.g., an occupancy sensor controlling all the individual level items), while also allowing a single appliance to be controlled by multiple sensors (e.g., a light fixture to be controlled by both a photosensor and an occupancy sensor.)
- HVAC accounts for 40% to 60% of the energy used in commercial and residential buildings.
[8] "Turning Green Into Gold," Alan Whitson. BUILDINGS March 2002
[9] Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) (2001). Industrial Assessment Center Database version 8.1
Demand Response
- In addition to saving money on monthly energy bills, companies that employ light and HVAC energy saving strategies may also qualify for Demand Response programs and federal, state, and local tax credits.
- Convia’s Dynamic Load Balancing™ software also makes it easy for facilities to comply with Demand Response programs.
- Occupancy sensors can reduce typical charges by 50% or more, at an energy savings of 5¢ - 20¢ per square foot. [10]
- A Herman Miller conducted study concluded that a dedicated space at client HP was being utilized only 38% of the time, and less for meeting rooms. In response, HP re-configured the facility, used offices and common rooms differently, and now utilization averages around 50%, but at times averages 90%. The company has been able to reduce its cost per employee by 55%.
- Power zones can be pre-programmed with a priority scheme and events programmed that reduce electrical load by a targeted percentage. When energy thresholds are exceeded, the Dynamic Load Balancing event can be executed which will reduce lighting levels and HVAC loads in lower priority power zones in order to keep power usage below the targeted threshold.
- From Daylight Harvesting to Demand Response, Convia allows you to implement power saving strategies that affect your bottom line. A study recently released by software company 1E and the Alliance to Save Energy found U.S. organizations waste $2.8 billion a year in energy costs by leaving computers on overnight. [11] While it’s as easy as hitting a button to turn off computers or other peripherals to reduce plug load, Convia automates this process for you. With simple programming through the Global Gateway, you can regulate all the plug loads in your building without negatively affecting the experience of your employees.
[10] Novitas, Inc.
[11] 1E and the Alliance to Save Energy
Ongoing Commissioning
- More than 75% of the lifecycle costs of a building are incurred in the operation and maintenance of the facility after construction.
- Studies show that half of all new buildings fail to realize their full energy savings potential once they are commissioned. But with “ongoing commissioning,” Convia’s Energy Track reporting tool ensures your building will continue to perform well as time goes by.
- Revenue generated from increased productivity can be 10 times as high as the energy cost savings received from performing upgrades.
- Organizations that implement energy-efficient measures outperform their competitors by as much as 10%. [12]
- The US Department of Energy estimates that an additional 20% of energy can be saved in buildings if continuous commissioning is used. Convia make these energy savings strategies possible.
- Because the greatest cost to any business is human resources, any improvement in productivity, through occupancy comfort, lighting, temperature, and increased natural ventilation will improve a company’s bottom line. [13]
- According to CoStar, LEED buildings command rent premiums of $11.24 per square foot over non-LEED buildings and have 3.8% higher occupancy. Energy Star buildings command rent premiums of $2.38 per square foot and have 3.6% higher occupancy. Energy Star buildings are selling at an average of $61 per square foot higher than their peers, while LEED buildings command a $171 per square foot premium.
- Companies may expect to see savings of 30% over the most aggressive energy baseline in the U.S. today. [14]
[12] fypower.org
[13] Landgon, Davis. "The Cost and benefit of Achieving Green Buildings." Property and Construction Info Data. (2000) 6
[14] (ASHRAE 90.1 2004)
EPACT Legislation
- A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. 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.
- If the energy efficiency of U.S. Buildings improved by 10%, Americans would save about $20 billion and reduce greenhouse gases equal to the emissions from about 30 million vehicles.
- The energy used by commercial and industrial buildings in the U.S. is responsible for nearly 50% of our national emissions of greenhouse gases.
[15] [16] ENERGY STAR
Reconfiguration
- Retrofits can reduce energy use by 20% to 50% in existing buildings, and they pay for themselves over several years through the resulting cost savings on energy bills. [15]
- With Convia, energy management accessories such as occupancy sensors and dimming switches, can be added at any time during a building’s lifecycle without disruption. All of Convia’s components are 100% reusable, eliminating the need to fill dumpsters and landfills every time a space is reconfigured. There is no limit to how often a space can change with Convia.
- Due to the potential it creates for energy saving strategies, Convia may contribute up to 24 points toward LEED® certification.
- When spaces need to change, rather than tearing out existing wiring and needlessly filling dumpsters, the Convia Wand can be used to reconfigure the space within moments. With the Wand, any light or zone of lights can be programmed to respond to any switch, sensor, or scene controller on the system.
- Only 22% of customers in “green” buildings understand their property’s performance relative to the original objectives set for the building, and many people in these structures don’t know how to use or interact with the systems already employed. A facility person with general PC abilities can program lighting, electrical, and HVAC events in a Convia system. The Gateway requires no special programming skills. It’s an intuitive and familiar looking tool.
[17] Clinton Climate Initiative
