The commercial electricity for HVAC systems accounts for about 50 percent of a building’s total energy consumption. Being one of the major energy costs in a manufacturing facility, it dominates the building’s peak electricity demand. As such, improving the system’s efficiency, in order to cut energy costs, should be every facility manager’s priority.

The energy consumption depends on the climate, comfort preferences, building design, insulation, the timing of use, the size of the HVAC system, heat generated by electrical equipment, and other site-specific factors.

Building owners and businesses can reduce their energy costs by combining several measures that increase an HVAC system’s efficiency while reducing the demand for heating and cooling.

When selecting HVAC systems, pay attention to its design and controls. Components such as motors can impact heavily on the running costs of equipment because some are usually oversized to meet peak demands. An ideal system should have more variable speed control, inverter controls, economizers, demand controlled ventilation, advanced sensors and monitoring, as well as superior diagnostics. In addition, the system should be the appropriate size; not too small or oversized.

By controlling and running the HVAC motors at speeds based on the heating or cooling needs, consumers are able to realize energy savings of between 30 and 50 percent compared to the conventional constant speed operations. Most manufacturers prefer newer algorithm-driven smart microprocessors.

These provide a refined speed control that responds to the changing load in the building. Instead of using on and off cycling, these controls adjust the system according to the actual cooling or heating needs of the facility. More functions can be added through software add-ons as opposed to costly hardware upgrades.

Some of the ways to optimize HVAC systems include the use of thermostats and control systems, locating the HVAC unit in the best place possible, and modifying the ventilation and distribution. These are discussed more fully below:

A HVAC energy audit helps in identifying the operational deficiencies, hence allowing the building manager to take the necessary measures to enhance performance. The audit is often necessary because it helps in determining the amount of energy use, maintenance and upgrade requirements.

Consumers can then reduce their energy costs by optimizing, replacing or retrofitting the HVAC system to become more energy efficient. This not only increases efficiency and reduces the amount of commercial electricity for the HVAC system, but also improves the air quality.

Smart technology is poised to take over the home appliance market. We already have smart thermostats, smart lighting and even smart refrigerators. If that's not enough for you, there are some new contenders on the market that allow you to turn any electrical device in the home into a smart item. The best part is that it's a simple DIY experience – no need to find an electrician to hook it up. It’s the smart plug, a small box that you plug into your home's outlets. From there, you can use your smart phone to control whatever light, television or other electronic appliance routed through the smart plug. Read on to learn more about these remarkable efficiency devices.

Control and Monitor Your Electronics

There are a variety of smart plug options on the market: The Satechi IQ Plug, the Belkin WeMo Insight Switch, the D-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug and the Valta Starter Kit, among others. The cost and functionality of the different brands vary, but they all operate on a similar principle – allowing you to set schedules and remotely control whatever device you choose.

The smart plugs connect to your phone via Bluetooth or wireless Internet, so you can switch them on or off from anywhere in the home – or even from the other side of the country if you have an internet-optimized model. You can also program schedules so the plug automatically activates an appliance at appointed times – turning a coffee maker on first thing in the morning, for example, or switching on a space heater before you go to bed in a chilly part of the house.

Retro Meets Modern

The upshot is that there's no need to wait for cutting-edge smart devices to come out to keep your home on the cutting edge of technology. Imagine impressing your neighbor by demonstrating the new smart functionality of a retro 1950s television, or your old Victrola vinyl player.

Smart plugs also monitor how much electricity a given device uses and when, so you can make informed choices about increasing your energy efficiency though disaggregation, breaking it down appliance by appliance. You can also save energy by using the smart plug to turn off the power to devices when you aren't actively using them, preventing your electricity bills from skyrocketing due to always-on settings or “energy vampires.”

Savings and Control All at Once

If you have additional questions about smart plugs and how they work, find an electrician who can show you their utility and functionality. With surprisingly little effort, you can harness their power to save energy and control devices all throughout your home.

Routine electrical service and maintenance is critical for all home or commercial buildings in the Des Moines Iowa area.   When you have routine electrical service done, it will keep your important electrical systems running longer and help you avoid expensive future repairs. In the event that there is an issue with your electrical system, your electrician can identify it during this routine visit so that repairs can be done before the problem becomes larger or even becomes an electrical fire.  Schedule your local electrician today and have your electrical system checked out.

High school graduation has come and gone, and now graduates are left with the tough decision of where they want to go and what they want to do with their lives. Enrolling in college, beginning a career or attending trade school are the usual options students choose from. With so many potential directions to go, Mr. Electric wants to power students’ tomorrow by giving graduates reasons to become an electrician. Take a look and see for yourself – you just might be convinced that becoming an electrician is meant for you.

Students who pursue a career as an electrician earn money while receiving on-the-job training. Most trades require you to complete an apprenticeship program before you are allowed to be licensed and work on your own. This allows you to work, learn, and get paid.

In an ever-competitive job market, it is nice to know you can always find work. Skilled electricians are always in demand.

Because it is not your regular suit and tie job, most people don’t consider the monetary benefits of becoming an electrician.  The pay is good and there are opportunities for pay increases the longer you are in the trade. Master electricians can make $100,000 a year.

Everyday as an electrician is different. It is a job suited for someone who wants to learn a trade, work in different locations on a daily basis, and learn how to use many types of equipment. If you're convinced your next career is as an electrician, contact Mr. Electric to ask about positions available in your area!  

With the arrival of spring and the inviting weather it brings, you may want to spend more time outside, especially after having been cooped up all winter long. While it’s not yet warm enough to jump in the pool, there are numerous other ways to enjoy a pleasant evening with friends and family in your back or front yard. Without the proper outdoor lighting, though, come nightfall all the fun will have to stop. Because of your limited sight, you run the risk of hurting yourself and others. Whether you’re barbecuing, roasting marshmallows, watching your kids jump on the trampoline, or gazing up at a meteor shower, make sure you have the right lighting to maximize your experience! Check out these __ reasons to install adequate outdoor lighting.

Before you install lighting, consider how you use your outdoor space. For example, if you have a patio, deck or pool area, consider installing zoned lighting, which highlights a designated area. You’ll also want to illuminate areas such as your driveway, garage, sidewalk and entry way. All of these areas are important to light to ensure safe navigation and prevent a trip to the emergency room. Without proper lighting, one could trip over a hidden step, fall off the deck or worse – overcook the meat!

The more light the better. By installing the right fixtures in the right locations, you’ll eliminate all the scary spaces, increasing safety and peace of mind, not to mention guests will be able to find your house with ease. Illuminating your outdoor spaces will allow you to get the most of your day, and since the weather is only going to get warmer from here on out, we have a feeling you’ll want to be outside as much as you can!

When you add flood lights to your back patio, deck or front lawn, you’ll be able take full advantage of these spaces. Instead of having to go inside when dusk comes, you’ll be able to relax with your friends and family outside for as long as you like.  You could even enjoy a nice dinner around the patio table.

A well-lit yard and landscape deters unwanted guests from coming onto your property.  There are numerous types of lights you can install to increase home security:

Many homeowners make the mistake of adding security lights to the front of the home while ignoring the back. The back of your home can be one of the most vulnerable places because of fencing, so make sure you install lighting in this area as well. When deciding where to install your outdoor lighting, determine the darkest areas of your home as well as any places where an intruder could enter.

Your home is one of your most prized possessions. When you’ve spent countless hours perfecting the exterior of your home as well as your lawn and garden, why allow it to go unseen when nighttime comes? You can highlight the best features of your home by installing uplights, garden lighting and low voltage exterior lighting around your trees and shrubs. Not only will the perfect lights add appeal to your home, it will add an undeniable sense of warmth too. Friends, neighbors and passersby won’t be able to stop themselves from glancing at your home each time they walk or drive by it.