Climate Week 2024 Kicks Off in NYC: Addressing the Urgency of Change

Climate Week has officially begun in New York City, with the 2024 theme emphasizing the pressing need for change. Last year, the world surpassed the critical threshold of a 1.5°C rise in annual average temperature. This alarming milestone was accompanied by an increase in natural disasters, including heat waves, rising sea temperatures, floods, and wildfires. As these changes accelerate, the urgency for drastic action and a positive environmental impact has never been more critical.

As global climate leaders convene to discuss strategies for progress, we at HIGHMARK continue to push forward in our mission to reduce carbon emissions in the greater NYC area—a commitment we’ve upheld since 2013. In 2022, New York City recorded 53.65 million tons of CO2e emissions, with 66.30% (35.57 million tons) originating from stationary energy. Although stationary energy emissions have decreased by 22.0% (from 45.63M tons CO2e) since 2005, only 47% of all benchmarked buildings currently achieve an Energy Star Score of A or B.

So, how is HIGHMARK making a difference? We proudly represent 27 manufacturers who share our vision: to electrify and decarbonize as many buildings as possible, creating a more sustainable city and world. From heat pumps and chillers to water pumps and beyond, HIGHMARK offers comprehensive solutions that empower buildings to significantly reduce their environmental footprint.

As Climate Week 2024 unfolds, the path to a sustainable future becomes clearer—and more urgent. At HIGHMARK, we’re not just talking about change; we’re driving it. By partnering with like-minded manufacturers and providing innovative solutions, we are committed to transforming New York City’s buildings into models of energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Together, we can make a tangible difference and lead the way in creating a greener, more resilient world. The time for action is now—let’s make every effort count.

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Earth Day 2024

It’s April 22, a day that marks the 54th anniversary of the modern-day environmental movement—otherwise known as Earth Day. This holiday comes and goes each year and many of us will make a few changes for the month, say we did our part and move on. However, with our lifestyles being responsible for an estimated two-thirds of global emissions, it’s critical that we incorporate changes into our everyday lives. At HIGHMARK, where sustainable practices are part of our DNA, we have compiled some environmentally friendly practices that we can implement not just on Earth Day, but year-round.

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: something we all learned early in life—practicing the three Rs. Whenever possible, recycle materials like paper, plastic, glass and metal. Make it easier for yourself by having separate receptacles for each.

2. Conserve energy: If you are done in a room, shut off the lights. If electronics aren’t in use, unplug it or consider investing in smart plugs.

3. Reduce carbon footprint: In NYC, public transportation is a readily available, cost-effective option. Ditch the cab and hop on a subway or bus, ride a bike, take a scenic route on the ferry, or enjoy the spring weather with a walk.

4. Plant trees and gardens:  Planting trees and gardens can help absorb CO2, provides food and habitats for wildlife, and contributes to overall biodiversity. Find out how you can participate in NYC here.

5. Clean up in your local community: Join a local clean-up event to remove litter from natural areas like parks and beaches.

6. Reduce single-use plastics: Use water bottles, coffee cups and food containers and shop using reusable bags.

7. Shop and support local farmers markets: A tasty way to make an impact—buy fresh, locally-grown produce. Supporting local farms can help sustain local agriculture.

8. Decrease meat consumption: Did you know that the meat industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions? Try implementing “Meatless Mondays” and enjoy some vegetarian-friendly meals.

9. Reduce water usage: Take shorter showers, fix leaks, install water-saving appliances, and turn off the water when it’s not being used while washing dishes and brushing your teeth.

and finally…

10. Support sustainable practices: Choose products and companies that prioritize sustainable practices. At HIGHMARK, we support electrification and decarbonization across buildings in the Tri-State with our numerous building efficient technologies.

Join us by taking part in these best practices, make a positive impact on the planet, and contribute to healthier and more sustainable future for our world.

The post Earth Day 2024 first appeared on HIGHMARK.

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Urban Green’s “Five Things To Know About the LL97 Proposed Rules”

NYC Local Law 97 (LL97) is one of the most ambitious emissions-reducing plans for buildings in the U.S. As such, most buildings over 25,000 square feet will be required to meet new energy-efficiency and greenhouse-gas emissions limits by 2024, with stricter limits starting in 2030. The goal is to reduce emissions produced by the city’s largest buildings 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.

Even after the law came into effect, there were many remaining questions about the its requirements through 2050. Thus, on October 6, 2022, the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) released Proposed Rules for Local Law 97 to further incentivize building electrification and to align it with New York State climate mandates.

After the proposed rules were released, Urban Green Counil compiled “Five Things To Know About the LL97 Proposed Rules.” It’s quite a useful recap, which we also listed below. Additionally, we’ve outlined what building-efficiency technologies are on the market today to make LL97’s rigorous requirements a reality.

1) 60 New Property Types Added From EPA’s Portfolio Manager

EPA’s Portfolio Manager is the well-established tool for tracking building energy use. LL97 originally set 10 emissions limits based on Building Code occupancy group classifications. The proposed rules expand those categories based on Portfolio Manager, which includes dozens of different property types that more accurately reflect the variation in energy use among buildings. This shift will help tailor emissions limits to that variety, including for property types that use more energy like supermarkets and data centers.

Source: Urban Green Council

2) Building Emissions Limits Set for All Property Types to 2050 and Beyond

The proposed rules assign new emissions limits for each new property type from 2030 through 2049. From 2050 onward, a zero emissions requirement applies to all property types—a move that aligns to global 1.5°C climate targets. For 2024 to 2029, the proposed rules preserve LL97’s original 10 emissions limits but distribute those limits across the 60 Portfolio Manager property types, creating better-tailored targets for all buildings.

Source: Urban Green Council

3) A 2030 Electricity Carbon Coefficient That Reflects the Greening Grid and Supports Electrification

The electricity carbon coefficient is used to calculate the carbon content of the electricity that a building consumes each year. The proposed rules specify an electricity coefficient for 2030 to 2034 that is about 50% lower than the one that applies for 2024 to 2029. This change reflects major new clean energy coming to NYC in the next few years, bringing rapid decarbonization to reach New York State CLCPA targets. This change also makes electrification an increasingly crucial strategy for buildings to meet the law’s carbon caps.

Source: Urban Green Council

4) RECs Can Only Offset Emissions From Electricity Use

LL97 allows building owners to deduct or offset annual building emissions through the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) for local green power. The proposed rules clarify that these deductions are limited to emissions from building electricity use, which would ensure that credits for the purchase of green electricity aren’t used to offset fossil fuels burned onsite for heat and hot water.

Source: Urban Green Council

5) Answers To Many Remaining Questions on Technical Details and Compliance

The proposed rules provide much-awaited guidance on many aspects of compliance, including details on deductions for solar power and energy storage, and methodologies for calculating emissions from cogeneration systems, campus properties and electricity according to time of use.

Source: Urban Green Council

The post LL97 Proposed Rules & the Building-Efficiency Technologies To Achieve Them first appeared on HIGHMARK.

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High-Level Indoor Air Quality is Essential

Did you know that the EPA ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health? What’s more, the EPA found that indoor air is usually 2-5 times, and occasionally up to 100 times, more polluted than outdoor air.

Further, the primary transmission route of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is via tiny airborne particles. Thus, high-level indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential for occupant health and wellbeing.

The 4 Metrics of IAQ

So what’s the best way to improve IAQ, focusing on commercial (such as the office of the future) and high-rise multifamily buildings? There are four key IAQ metrics to address so that indoor air is optimal for occupants while energy efficiency is optimized. These include:

1. Temperature and Humidity
2. Ventilation
3. Air Filtration
4. Air Distribution

HIGHMARK developed four strategies for an efficient and safe environment and, in hopes of inspiring others, would like to share what they have achieved in their own offices. Let’s take a look at each of the metrics.

On-Demand Webinar: Enhancing IAQ in the Office of the Future

Learn about strategies and energy-efficient technologies to enhance IAQ in offices, thus promoting occupant health, collaboration and productivity.

View Webinar

IAQ Metric 1: Temperature and Humidity

Even though space temperature is a preference, design setpoints usually range from 75°F to 80°F for summer and 68.5°F to 75°F for winter conditions. Humidity is a slightly more complex topic.

ASHRAE targets 50% relative humidity (RH) and recommends keeping humidity levels at or below 65%. The EPA suggests maintaining humidity between 30% and 60% RH. More recent studies by Taylor and Tasi suggest maintaining levels above 40% RH.

The findings of this study are crucial, especially in the state of the world today since viruses thrive in spaces with lower than 40% RH humidity levels. Not only do viruses live and spread in spaces more easily in low humidity, but occupants’ immune systems are negatively impacted by lower humidity levels as well.

Considering all this information, HIGHMARK decided to design their offices to a higher standard with occupants’ safety and health in mind, designing for a minimum humidity level at 40% RH.

IAQ Metric 2: Ventilation

Designers are familiar with ASHRAE 62.1 and ASHRAE 170 for healthcare, which is the standard for minimum ventilation rates. Since 2003, ASHRAE has been trending towards higher minimum ventilation rates. This trend seems counter-intuitive for designing energy-efficient buildings since increasing ventilation in buildings is inversely proportional to energy efficiency and costs. When thinking of the three pillars of sustainability: economy, society and environment, increasing ventilation at first seems to affect two out of three negatively. However, when examining this more closely, there is a link between ventilation rates and productivity.

Since low ventilation can affect occupants’ health, ASHRAE made a statement on COVID-19 transmission in buildings, which suggested increasing ventilation to 100% outdoor air when possible and bypass energy wheels because of potential cross-contamination. While necessary, in a state of emergency, this recommendation improves the health of society while neglecting the health of the environment.

The HIGHMARK solution is to design the ventilation system using an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) to eliminate cross-contamination between exhaust and intake while not compromising energy efficiency. In addition, load reduction from the ERV results in annual savings satisfying the health of society, the environment and the owner’s wallet.

IAQ Metric 3: Filtration & Purification

These days, the hot topic of conversation is how do we mitigate the contamination risks of recirculating air without exceeding budget and undoing all the environmental benefits of mixing return air with untreated outdoor air to condition the space?

Two words: proper filtration. The solution seems simple until you dive into the different ways to achieve clean air. From traditional Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) filters to Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) Air Purifiers and Ultraviolent Light (UV), figuring out which level and filtration method is difficult.

HIGHMARK did the difficult evaluation, so you don’t have to, and in their own space, they designed using a MERV-13 filter with Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) Air Purifier. Since COVID particles attach themselves to droplets ranging from 1.0-4.0 microns, the MERV-13 filter blocks up to 85% of particulates from the air at the 1.0-3.0-micron range. Adding PCO filtration eliminates the remaining particles using ultraviolet light to activate a chemical reaction, transforming the particles into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and water.

IAQ Metric 4: Air Distribution

The final element of IAQ is air distribution. Most often, clean and conditioned air is supplied through the ceiling, circulates and is returned through the ceiling. This results in potential mixing of fresh and stale airstreams.

HIGHMARK sought to reduce the cross-contamination in the space by supplying clean and conditioned air via Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) and returning it through the ceiling. UFAD systems are designed to work with the laws of physics — not against them. In a UFAD system, conditioned air is supplied through floor diffusers instead of from the ceiling.

Specific benefits of UFAD include:

• Improved indoor air quality, cost savings, design flexibility and energy efficiency
• Can be applied in both new constructions and renovations
• Only 8″ are needed for the plenum floor, leaving plenty of room for architects to design for high ceilings
• Supply water temperatures can be lower, which saves energy
• Occupants have more control of their comfort through adjustable floor diffusers in their working space

The post Indoor Air Quality: Why It’s Essential for Occupant Health and Wellbeing first appeared on HIGHMARK.

1) Economizer

2) Pool-Water Heat Recovery

3) Condensate Recovery

4) Wall Condensate Prevention

The post Indoor Pool Dehumidification: Create Healthier Natatoriums Energy Efficiently first appeared on HIGHMARK.

OVERVIEW

What’s To Become of NYC’s Existing Building Stock?

Whether it’s competing against new commercial space in Midtown or developing a strategy to comply with Local Law 97, the question on New York City’s mind is – What’s to become of the existing building stock?

To attract and retain tenants for older commercial office buildings, especially considering recent events, is challenging. Landlords have two options to keep up with the times: 1. Demolish and re-build or 2. Restack the old buildings.

Restacking the building is the preferred option. While occupancy levels are low, it’s a good strategy to prepare for a safe and comfortable environment when occupants fully return. The major focus of concern for returning to the office is indoor air quality (IAQ).

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Key Metrics for Indoor Air Quality

The four key metrics of indoor air quality (IAQ) include:

1. Temperature and Humidity
2. Ventilation
3. Air Filtration
4. Air Distribution

The Office of the Future was conceived to address the demand for proper IAQ in conjunction with energy efficiency.

HIGHMARK developed four strategies for an efficient and safe environment and, in hopes of inspiring others, would like to share what they have achieved in their own offices. Let’s take a look at each of the metrics.

IAQ Metric 1: Temperature and Humidity

Even though space temperature is a preference, design setpoints usually range from 75°F to 80°F for summer and 68.5°F to 75°F for winter conditions. Humidity is a slightly more complex topic.

ASHRAE targets 50% relative humidity (RH) and recommends keeping humidity levels at or below 65%. The EPA suggests maintaining humidity between 30% and 60% RH. More recent studies by Taylor and Tasi suggest maintaining levels above 40% RH.

The findings of this study are crucial, especially in the state of the world today since viruses thrive in spaces with lower than 40% RH humidity levels. Not only do viruses live and spread in spaces more easily in low humidity, but occupants’ immune systems are negatively impacted by lower humidity levels as well.

Considering all this information, HIGHMARK decided to design their offices to a higher standard with occupants’ safety and health in mind, designing for a minimum humidity level at 40% RH.

IAQ Metric 2: Ventilation

Designers are familiar with ASHRAE 62.1 and ASHRAE 170 for healthcare, which is the standard for minimum ventilation rates. Since 2003, ASHRAE has been trending towards higher minimum ventilation rates. This trend seems counter-intuitive for designing energy-efficient buildings since increasing ventilation in buildings is inversely proportional to energy efficiency and costs. When thinking of the three pillars of sustainability: economy, society and environment, increasing ventilation at first seems to affect two out of three negatively. However, when examining this more closely, there is a link between ventilation rates and productivity.

Since low ventilation can affect occupants’ health, ASHRAE made a statement on COVID-19 transmission in buildings, which suggested increasing ventilation to 100% outdoor air when possible and bypass energy wheels because of potential cross-contamination. While necessary, in a state of emergency, this recommendation improves the health of society while neglecting the health of the environment.

The HIGHMARK solution is to design the ventilation system using an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) to eliminate cross-contamination between exhaust and intake while not compromising energy efficiency. In addition, load reduction from the ERV results in annual savings satisfying the health of society, the environment and the owner’s wallet.

IAQ Metric 3: Filtration & Purification

These days, the hot topic of conversation is how do we mitigate the contamination risks of recirculating air without exceeding budget and undoing all the environmental benefits of mixing return air with untreated outdoor air to condition the space?

Two words: proper filtration. The solution seems simple until you dive into the different ways to achieve clean air. From traditional Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) filters to Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) Air Purifiers and Ultraviolent Light (UV), figuring out which level and filtration method is difficult.

HIGHMARK did the difficult evaluation, so you don’t have to, and in their own space, they designed using a MERV-13 filter with Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) Air Purifier. Since COVID particles attach themselves to droplets ranging from 1.0-4.0 microns, the MERV-13 filter blocks up to 85% of particulates from the air at the 1.0-3.0-micron range. Adding PCO filtration eliminates the remaining particles using ultraviolet light to activate a chemical reaction, transforming the particles into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and water.

IAQ Metric 4: Air Distribution

The final element of IAQ is air distribution. Most often, clean and conditioned air is supplied through the ceiling, circulates and is returned through the ceiling. This results in potential mixing of fresh and stale airstreams.

HIGHMARK sought to reduce the cross-contamination in the space by supplying clean and conditioned air via Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) and returning it through the ceiling. UFAD systems are designed to work with the laws of physics — not against them. In a UFAD system, conditioned air is supplied through floor diffusers instead of from the ceiling.

Specific benefits of UFAD include:

• Improved indoor air quality, cost savings, design flexibility and energy efficiency
• Can be applied in both new constructions and renovations
• Only 8″ are needed for the plenum floor, leaving plenty of room for architects to design for high ceilings
• Supply water temperatures can be lower, which saves energy
• Occupants have more control of their comfort through adjustable floor diffusers in their working space

The post Office of the Future: 4 Strategies for an Efficient and Safe Environment first appeared on HIGHMARK.

DOAS Design #5

Features

• 100% outdoor air
• No heat recovery
• Hot gas reheat
• Auxiliary heat in winter conditions

Benefits

DOAS Design #4

Features

• 100% outdoor air
• Energy recovery unit with energy wheel
• Return air pre-treats incoming outdoor air
• Reduces size of cooling coil
• Hot gas reheat
• Auxiliary heat in winter conditions

Benefits

DOAS Design #3

Features

• 100% outdoor air
• Energy recovery unit with enthalpy core
• No cross-contamination
• No moving parts/less maintenance
• Return air pre-treats incoming outdoor air
• Reduces size of cooling coil
• Hot gas reheat
• Auxiliary heat in winter conditions

Benefits

DOAS Design #2

Did you know? Adding a second layer of energy recovery reduces required mechanical tonnage by 17%.

Features

• 100% outdoor air
• Energy recovery unit with two layers of heat recovery
• Enthalpy core and heat pipe
• No cross-contamination
• No moving parts/less maintenance
• Return air pre-treats incoming outdoor air
• Heat pipe reduces size of cooling coil and cuts energy use for hot gas reheat
• Auxiliary heat in winter conditions

Benefits

DOAS Design #1

Features

• 100% outdoor air
• Energy recovery unit with two layers of heat recovery
• Enthalpy core and heat pipe
• No cross-contamination
• No moving parts/less maintenance
• Return air pre-treats incoming outdoor air
• Heat pipe reduces size of cooling coil and cuts energy use for hot gas reheat
• Condenser coil located inside the unit that releases heat into the exhaust airstream and removes the need for an additional auxiliary heat source in winter

Benefits

The post Rethinking DOAS: Strategies to Increase Energy Efficiency [Product Showcase] first appeared on HIGHMARK.

The Definitive Guide to Water Filtration for Mechanical Systems

 

Effective Water Filtration

A great design is incomplete without proper water filtration. What’s effective water filtration for a mechanical system? It depends on who you ask. To demystify water filtration in mechanical systems, HIGHMARK created this guide to highlight the minimum filter requirements and recommend the most energy- and water-efficient solutions.

 

 

The Criticality of Water Filtration

The importance of filtration in air systems is easily understood. However, when it comes to water filtration, it tends to be a bit murky. To clear the water, particle contamination can cause inefficiencies in the system, not to mention fouling or bio-film build-up and acid erosion, which shortens the equipment’s lifetime. Cutting out adequate filtration to save money now can end up costing more in the future. And in open-loop systems, the costs to the community are far worse, with the potential of a Legionella outbreak due to inadequate filtration.

 

 

Local Law 77 Requirements

In August of 2015, NYC officials responded with Local Law 77. This was after several Legionella outbreaks and nearly half of the inspected cooling towers in the city testing positive for Legionella. This code requires all cooling towers, evaporation condensers and fluid coolers to be registered with the New York State and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Further, the systems must follow a maintenance program in compliance with ASHRAE Standard 188P.

 

 

 

 

 

Particle Size and Systems

Fine particles 1-5 microns are the first to cling to surfaces, which causes fouling. These finer particles then feed on larger particles, and the problem grows. To get a sense of particle sizes, an average human hair is 150 microns. 

Knowing the particle size to be removed for a particular system is a crucial part of selecting filters that significantly improve the efficiency of the system. Open systems see larger particle sizes than closed-loop systems, which only see fine particles less than 10 microns. It’s essential to add a filter for large particle sizes greater than 10 microns in an open system. The chemical treatment will work with the filter to remove the finer particles.

 

Types of Water Filtration

Types of filters that work well in this application are screen filters, sub-micron sand filters and hydrocyclone separators:

• Screen Filters
  • Remove particles less than 10 microns
  • Go long periods without maintenance
  • Stay online while backwashing

• Sub-Micron Sand Filters
  • Remove particles less than 1 micron
  • Prevent tunneling by using tangential flow, unlike traditional sand filters
  • Use less water for backwash

• Hydrocyclone Separators
  • Low-cost option that removes particles greater than 100 microns
  • Spin water in a tight column and use the resulting force to remove high-density solids in the water
  • Use in series with screen and sand filters as a pre-filter to reduce the load on downstream filtration

 

Selecting the Optimal Water-Filtration System

Water-Filtration Strategy

After selecting the filter type and particle size, the filter strategy is another crucial factor in water filtration for mechanical systems. One method to prevent growth in open systems is to keep the water moving with a basin agitator. This strategy keeps the solids suspended for ease of removal. Consequently, this reduces system maintenance and manual cleaning and enhances the chemical treatment’s performance.

For both open and closed-loop systems, the most effective way of removing contaminants is to run 100% of the system’s water through the filter. However, full stream filtration tends to be pricey. Another option to reduce costs is side-stream filtration, which deviates about 5-10% of the system’s water through a filter. The entire system will be filtered as much as one to three times per day or as little as one time every five days, depending on the design. In addition, considerations must be made for domestic water via auto-clean filters and potable water filtration.

• Priority 1: Separator in series with basin-agitator screen filter.
• Priority 2: Separator in series with either a side-stream sand filter or side-stream screen filter.
• Priority 3: Separator in series with a full-stream screen filter.
• Priority 4: Full- or side-stream sand filter for closed-loop system.

 

Water-Filtration System Decision Tree

Use this water-filtration decision tree to help you select the right system for your project.

In Summary

In conclusion, proper water filtration in mechanical systems is critical. It creates healthier communities, improves the system’s lifespan and efficiency and can save money in the long run. Along with this guide, you can view a full on-demand webinar on this topic. For information on specifications and selecting the best system, please get in touch with us via the contact form below.

The post The Definitive Guide to Water Filtration for Mechanical Systems first appeared on HIGHMARK.

Project Specifications

Application:	Commercial office skyscraper
Location:	Manhattan, New York City
Project type:	Rigging and installation of chillers
Project size:	375-ton cooling plant
Technologies:	Aermec NYB Air-Cooled Modular Chiller with Free Cooling
Completion:	2020

 

CHALLENGE

Chillers To the Roof With No Crane

These Aermec chillers weren’t just going to any old place. In fact, their final destination was the roof of a skyscraper on the Avenue of the Americas in New York City. Furthermore, a conventional crane wasn’t an option.

Therefore, getting the chillers through standard-sized doorways and elevators, and all the way to top, wouldn’t be easy. For a successful installation, it would take tremendous planning, agility and expertise.

Fortunately, the HIGHMARK HVAC Service and Maintenance team completed many similar jobs, and they knew the best approach.

Results

Chillers Installed on Time With No Disruptions

Ultimately, the HIGHMARK team completed the challenging project on time and with no disruptions. Specific results include:

• Fast, on-time completion: The flexibility of Aermec chillers makes them simple to transport through tight building interiors. As a result, the project finished quickly and on time.
• Zero disruptions: The team worked all hours of the day to ensure normal building and HVAC operations continued without any issues.
• Minimal impact: Few or no people were inside the building during project hours, thus minimizing occupant impact.
• Maintaining all warranties: The equipment retained all warranties since HIGHMARK technicians are Aermec-factory certified.
• Safeguarding mission-critical operations: Due to the successful installation of the Aermec chillers, the building will now continue all mission-critical HVAC operations.

The post Compact, Flexible Aermec NYB Chillers Installed in NYC Skyscraper first appeared on HIGHMARK.

Why the Reinvented Aermec Modular Chiller is Transforming the Industry

What is a chiller plant?

HVAC systems regulate the comfort levels of most indoor environments. Under this engineering umbrella is the chiller plant – a centralized system that provides the cooling portion of HVAC equipment. According to ENERGY STAR, about 39% of buildings larger than 100,000 square feet contain chiller plants.

The majority of chillers in New York City are conventional and can be divided into two groups. These are steam and gas-fired absorption chillers and centrifugal chillers that use older refrigerants. However, chiller technology has been innovating, and newer and better options exist. These alternatives support sustainability, electrification, decarbonization and cost savings.

In general, what challenges exist with conventional chillers in New York City?

Conventional chillers in New York City pose serious challenges to building owners, engineers and contractors alike. These include:

• Difficult to install in tight spaces: In New York City’s buildings, space is a rare commodity when it comes to fitting in a conventional centrifugal chiller. Hallways are tight, doors are narrow, freight elevators are the same size as non-freight ones, HVAC mechanical rooms are small and sometimes even a subway line crosses through the building. This makes installation difficult, costly and time-consuming for large, conventional chillers since walls have to be removed and replaced, leading to massive construction efforts and costs.
• Redundancy takes up valuable space: Proper redundancy for a conventional chiller means that an entire second chiller of the same size needs to be installed in case the first one malfunctions. For example, if a large 300-ton chiller is installed, a second 300-ton chiller also has to be there ready to run in case the first one fails. That takes up a lot of extremely valuable floor space.
• Expensive and complex to maintain: If a conventional chiller has a problem and needs maintenance, the entire unit has to be turned off and the whole system needs to be looked at to pinpoint the issue. This makes the maintenance process costly, time-consuming and tremendously disruptive for building operations.
• Noisy and inconvenient: Conventional chillers make an incredible amount of noise, which means they can only be installed far away from any inhabitable spaces. This is particularly challenging when the building has an outdoor space, such as a roof deck or patio, since a conventional chiller can’t be installed close by to such an area. This adds to the inconvenience of installation.
• Limited flexibility: With conventional chillers, you’re driven by the size of the unit, resulting in minimal flexibility. You have a gigantic, inefficient and polluting system on your hands, that will dictate everything around it in the building.

Regarding energy specifically, what challenges exist with conventional chillers in New York City?  

When looking at energy specifically, conventional chillers pose serious challenges to energy efficiency and sustainability. These include: 

• Older equipment is difficult to replace, thus perpetuating inefficiencies: Older chillers are kept in operation because they’re difficult and costly to replace. Often, an expensive makeover will be done of an old piece of equipment that’s inefficient and polluting instead of swapping it out for a newer system since this is the cheaper path. This not only perpetuates inefficiencies, it also impacts the environment since many older systems use refrigerants that have been phased out, and the equipment is prone to leaks.
• Carbon-emitting equipment runs counter to building electrification, Local Law 97 and NYC 80×50: By 2050, the world is set to use more energy for cooling than heating due to a predicted 33-fold increase in global power consumption for cooling purposes. Fossil-fuel-powered conventional chillers are principal contributors to this energy increase. This is because they’re inefficient and burn an excessive amount of fossil fuels to run, thus releasing harmful carbon emissions. This runs counter to both global and local efforts to cut carbon, which are centered around making building electrification a reality. For example, conventional chillers are in direct contrast to New York City’s Local Law 97, which creates carbon-emissions limits for most buildings over 25,000 square feet. It impacts over 57,000 buildings in New York City, with the goal of reducing building-based carbon emissions 40% by 2030 from a 2005 baseline. Conventional chillers also don’t support the NYC 80×50 initiative, which aims to cut carbon emissions 80% by 2050. As a result of these efforts, if building owners don’t replace their conventional, fossil-fuel-powered chillers, the consequences will be major costs and fines.
• Out of step with the heat-pump revolution: One of the main ways that building electrification, Local Law 97, NYC 80×50 and all sustainability initiatives can be achieved is by installing electric heat pumps. However, conventional chillers are completely out of step with this movement since they don’t accommodate the use of heat-pump technology. Keeping conventional chillers in a building will only serve to propagate antiquated ways that are wasteful and don’t support the environment.

Why is the reinvented Aermec modular chiller transforming the HVAC industry?

There’s a solution to the challenges posed by conventional chillers, particularly relating to the replacement and upgrading of existing equipment. This is the Aermec modular chiller. It was reinvented based on specific design recommendations from HIGHMARK to create a chiller that would excel in New York City’s demanding buildings.

The Aermec modular chiller is a small-tonnage chiller plant that connects and operates in a series to make up a larger chiller. It can overcome the challenges faced by conventional centrifugal chillers in New York City for the following reasons:

• Easy to install in tight spaces: Aermec modular chillers come together to form one larger chiller, which means each module is compact and has a small footprint. As a result, individual modules can be rolled through standard New York City doors and into regular elevators. Once all the modules have passed through the tight spaces and reach the installation destination, they can either be stacked or placed side-by-side or front-to-back, depending on the dimensions of the installation site. This means that walls don’t have to be taken down since the modules fit easily through tight spaces and conform to the space available. As a result, modular chillers can utilize spaces that wouldn’t be used in the past for conventional chillers.
• Takes up less total-installed space: The beauty of the modular system is that for redundancy purposes, instead of having to install an entire full-size second chiller – like with a conventional chiller – it’s only necessary to install one extra module, which is compact and takes up minimal space. This means that the second 300-ton centrifugal chiller required in a conventional-chiller scenario can be replaced by a 30-ton modular chiller, while still fulfilling all redundancy requirements.
• Simple to maintain, uninterrupted operations: Maintenance is simple on a modular chiller since any issues that arise can be easily pinpointed to a single module. Additionally, because of the way the chiller modules are connected, when one needs work, the whole system doesn’t have to be taken offline. This ensures uninterrupted operations during maintenance, unlike with a conventional chiller.
• Significantly reduced costs: Serious cost savings add up when using an Aermec modular chiller. Construction costs are minimized since walls remain intact and debris doesn’t have to be removed when the chillers are brought into the buildings. Installation is much easier and faster, which means fewer costs. Less total-installed space is used, thus opening up valuable square footage for other uses that can generate revenue for building owners. Maintenance is quick and easy, which saves on upkeep expenses. This is good news for the building’s bottom line.
• Quiet operations: The Aermec modular chiller was designed to be so quiet that the modules can be placed right next to an outdoor patio area without any concerns of noise problems. This opens up many additional installation areas since noise concerns are alleviated.
• Ultimate flexibility: There’s no other product on the market today that’s as flexible as the Aermec modular chiller. Because the modules are designed so compactly, and they fit through standard doors and elevators, numerous configurations are possible. The modules are, in a sense, similar to Legos or building blocks, and can get around columns and be moved nimbly throughout the building. This provides tremendous flexibility to engineers and contractors.
• Energy and water efficiency: With free-cooling capabilities, variable-flow pumping and low refrigerant charges, modular chillers are much more environmentally friendly than conventional chillers. This means that Aermec modular chillers meet and exceed New York City’s most stringent energy codes.
• Upgrade older equipment cost-effectively: Modular chillers enable you to upgrade conventional equipment without the cost since they’re much easier to install. Older chillers can be cut up and removed easily, and modular chillers can be brought in through the existing space and installed inexpensively.
• Support building electrification: Replacing inefficient, wasteful or fossil-fuel-powered conventional equipment with efficient and electric modular chillers supports building electrification. Electric modular chillers can play an essential role in making building electrification a reality.
• Make NYC Local Law 97 and 80×50 a reality: New York City’s Local Law 97 establishes carbon emissions limits for most buildings over 25,000 square feet. This impacts over 57,000 buildings in New York City, with the goal of reducing building-based carbon emissions 40% by 2030 from a 2005 baseline. The NYC 80×50 initiative seeks to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Efficient and electric Aermec modular chiller are integral to making New York City’s Local Law 97 and 80×50 initiative a reality.
• Heat-pump ready: Electric heat pumps are a vital part of the foundation upon which New York City’s Local Law 97 and 80×50 initiative will be built. Unlike conventional chillers, Aermec modular chillers have the option to convert to a heat pump. This enables simultaneous systems and furthers building electrification and sustainability efforts.

What product options exist for the Aermec modular chiller?

Aermec offers two modular-chiller options that have been reinvented to meet the unique and demanding needs of the New York City market. These are the NYB Air-Cooled Modular Chiller and the WWM Water-Cooled Modular Chiller. These two systems have been designed to change the way chillers are installed, serviced and replaced in New York City and across the country.

Aermec NYB Air-Cooled Modular Chiller

The award-winning Aermec NYB Air-Cooled Modular Chiller is the industry’s first modular air-cooled chiller to feature integrated free-cooling operation. Inspired by HIGHMARK, the NYB is AHRI Certified and designed specifically to meet stringent New York City energy codes by maximizing free-cooling potential.

The NYB’s key benefits include:

• Compact footprint: Due to its small size, the NYB has an extremely compact footprint and can overcome tight space constraints.
• Easy to install and use: The NYB fits easily through standard doors and into elevators, and Victaulic connections allow for fast installation. Operation is also simple.
• Efficient and environmentally friendly: The NYB modular air-cooled chiller features integrated free-cooling operation. This reduces energy consumption by cutting down the amount of mechanical cooling required, thus supporting the environment.
• Low refrigerant charge: The NYB’s compact size enables it to have one of the lowest refrigerant charges in the industry.
• Green-building certified: The NYB is UL Listed and AHRI Certified to meet ASHRAE 90.1-2010 minimum efficiency levels.
• Peace of mind: Functionality and performance tests are conducted on each NYB module in a climatic test chamber to ensure ultimate reliability.
• Uninterrupted operations: During servicing, the NYB always maintains full operations. You can service the adjacent modules without impacting the system’s operations. What’s more, with accessibility provided at the ends of the unit, the NYB enables quick in-row servicing.
• Enhanced redundancy: The NYB utilizes the latest scroll-compressor features, which strengthens its redundancy capabilities. Unlike conventional chillers, which lock you into older compressors from the original manufacturer, Aermec makes the newest and best compressor technologies readily available. This ensures that equipment is back up and running much more quickly.
• Advanced user-friendly control: The NYB’s user-friendly microprocessor controller optimizes mechanical and free cooling.
• Lowest noise levels: The extremely quiet operation of the NYB provides a solution to sound-sensitive applications.
• Multiply your benefit: Multiple NYB modules retain a 100% free-cooling capacity without additional dimensions needed.
• Award-winning design: The NYB was named a 2017 AHR Expo Innovation Award Finalist for its cutting-edge design that challenges the HVAC status quo.

Aermec WWM Water-Cooled Modular Chiller

The Aermec WWM Water-Cooled Modular Chiller is small in size, flexible in terms of installation, simple to service, energy efficient and compliant with strict New York City energy codes. Inspired by HIGHMARK, it was designed to make it easier to install chillers, and it’s the most compact and energy-efficient chiller in its class on the market today.

The WWM’s key benefits include:

• Tremendous flexibility: Unlike other products, the WWM has many flexible installation and layout options, including back-to-back, side-to-side, top-to-bottom or any of these combinations. This allows for as much cooling tonnage in a square foot as in a large centrifugal chiller. In addition, its modular design enables the cooling capacity to be easily increased over time and at a limited cost, thus furthering flexibility.
• Compact footprint: The WWM’s footprint is extremely compact, thus enabling it to fit through standard-sized doors and into elevators for simple installation. Its small size also frees up valuable square footage for building owners to utilize for boosting lease potential.
• Easy installation: Due to the WWM’s modular design, installation can be adapted to suit specific development needs while guaranteeing improved safety and reliability.
• Simple maintenance: The WWM is simple to service in tight building interiors. For example, the refrigeration components that need to be serviced are located in a drawer in the front that slides out for easy access.
• Uninterrupted operations: Operations aren’t interrupted during servicing since a module can be worked on without impacting any of the other cooling in the plant.
• Enhanced redundancy: Like with the NYB, the WWM utilizes the latest and best scroll-compressor features provided by Aermec. This improves redundancy and enables equipment to be back up and running much faster than with conventional options.
• Maximized energy efficiency: The WWM is the most energy-efficient chiller in its class, while having the lowest refrigerant charge of any chiller on the market.
• Free-cooling capability: The WWM’s advanced microprocessor control allows for seamless and safe integration with water-side economizers. This enables free cooling, which optimizes energy efficiency.
• Compliant with strict energy codes: The WWM is AHRI Certified and exceeds all ASHRAE 90.1 energy code requirements for chiller energy efficiency.
• Low refrigerant charges: Like with the NYB, the WWM also enjoys one of the lowest refrigerant charges in the industry. This is due to its compact footprint and efficient operations.

Why is the New York City-inspired reinvented Aermec modular chiller relevant for all of North America?

New York City’s buildings present some of the most demanding design challenges for modular chillers due to the tremendous space constraints and structural complexities. Therefore, if a modular chiller can succeed in a New York City building, it can do well anywhere.

In fact, Aermec worked with HIGHMARK to design the NYB and WWM for the New York City market first and then to introduce the products to the rest of North America. Today, many NYB and WWM units are thriving in a variety of installations across North America.

Why is the Aermec-HIGHMARK partnership so effective in New York City?

Aermec is the market leader for chillers in so many aspects. Primary among these is the fact that they’re exceptional in customizing their products to meet and exceed the needs of different markets. In addition, Aermec’s research, development and robust track record of innovation are unparalleled in the industry. The company is committed to designing and building the best chillers possible.

In the New York City market, the HIGHMARK team knows exactly what technologies need to be implemented to increase building efficiency. They know what works and what should be avoided. Aermec shares HIGHMARK’s passion for state-of-the-art building-efficiency technologies and for challenging the HVAC status quo. Both companies are committed to achieving shared goals of increasing building efficiency and sustainability, cutting costs and exceeding customer expectations.

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