E. Tools
Help is on the way.
There's no downside to energy efficiency, and our engineers have assembled these E.Tools to make sure your business gets the most out of every energy dollar.
Instructions:
To download an E.Tool, right click on it, go to "Save Target As" and save the spreadsheet to your computer. Then, open the document and follow the steps on the spreadsheet, filling in the appropriate information as best you can.
Once you have the information completed, save the file and email it to us at E.Tools@avistautilities.com. One of our engineers will review the file and get back to you with suggestions for increasing your energy efficiency.
If you have any questions, just send them along to the e-mail address above.
Lighting Analysis
A well-designed lighting retrofit project can reduce lighting energy costs by 40-60 percent, and sometimes more. These savings are achieved by a combination of replacing the primary working components within light fixtures (i.e. newer energy-efficient lamps and ballasts); redesigning fixtures for a different configuration of lamps, ballasts, and reflectors; and replacing existing fixtures with new, more efficient ones. This analysis tool provides valuable information for determining the viability of a lighting retrofit for a facility.
Download the Lighting Analysis E.Tool. (Right mouse-click and "Save Target As" to your computer.)
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Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
Variable frequency (also called adjustable speed) drives provide energy savings by allowing a motor to adjust its speed relative to the power input requirements. By controlling motor speed to varying load requirements, VFD installations can increase energy efficiency, improve power factor and afford other performance benefits such as soft starting and over speed capability. This analysis tool can provide cost/benefit information for installing a VFD in a variety of applications.
Download the VFD Calculator E.Tool. (Right mouse-click and "Save Target As" to your computer.)
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Refrigeration
CommRefrigEval is an Excel workbook model designed to estimate the possible energy and energy cost savings from a variety of measures applicable to commercial refrigeration systems, particularly supermarket refrigeration systems. The intent of this workbook model is to provide a snap shot of operations and to identify applications that have a high potential for energy savings. CommRefrigEval is designed for consulting engineers, utility energy services engineers and facilities engineers.
Download the CommRefrigEval E.Tool. (Right mouse-click and "Save Target As" to your computer.)
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Compressed Air
In the U.S., compressed air systems account for $1.5 billion per year in energy costs, and 0.5 percent of emissions. Many industries use compressed air systems as power sources for tools and equipment used for pressurizing, atomizing, agitating, and mixing applications. Optimization of compressed air systems can provide energy efficiency improvements of 20 to 50 percent. However, in order to determine the optimal operation of your system, it will require the profiling of the system flow and power requirements. The AirMaster+ software will provide comprehensive information on assessing compressed air systems, including modeling, existing and future system upgrades, and evaluating savings and effectiveness of energy efficiency measures.
This software is provided free of charge by the DOE and can be downloaded at the following site:
http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices/software_tools.shtml
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Pumping System Assessment Tool
Download software to help you evaluate the value of looking at a pump system for your business. Input data and compare findings to like-kind systems. You can use this data to decide whether you want to take a closer look at a particular pumping system.
This software is provided free of charge by the DOE and can be downloaded at the following site:
http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices/software_tools.shtml
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O & M (Operation and Maintenance) Tool
A common question asked by customers is whether it is economical to shut down a piece of equipment during breaks, or not. A full-blown analysis could take forever decide because of the number of variables that could be involved in this decision. A tool to provide a rough idea as to the practicality of such a decision by providing an estimate of it's operating costs would be handy. The O & M Tool primarily allows you to input data for motor driven equipment in the wood products industry (chippers, air compressors, hogs, etc.) and to determine it's approximate cost of operation based on typical factors found in the industry. However, any motor load can be estimated if the load factor can be determined.
Download the O & M E.Tool. (Right mouse-click and "Save Target As" to your computer.)
For a more detailed analysis of a motor, it is recommended that the Motor Master program released by the DOE should be considered and can be downloaded at the following site: http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices/software_tools.shtml
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