TMBA installs building management system for Port Washington Public Library

T.M. Bier & Associates, Inc. (TMBA), has completed the installation of a fully-customized energy-saving solution on behalf of the Port Washington Public Library. The project involved TMBA's installation of a TMBA/Andover Building Management System (BMS), occupancy-based lighting controls and seven variable speed drives. For the library, the project was intended to save energy, protect the environment and improve comfort. According to Port Washington Library director Nancy Curtin, "The library is constantly looking for ways to save on costs and meet our obligations to the community. This includes investing in energy conservation programs which help our budget and help the environment." TMBA president Ted Bier explained the project in greater detail. "Our custom application of the Andover Building Management System (BMS) was designed to control and monitor various building systems, including heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting," said Bier. "On the air conditioning side, we used air temperature and humidity sensors (i.e., enthalpy sensors) to determine whether to bring in outside air to cool the facility or run compressors for this purpose. The 'free' cooling approach saves energy when conditions are conducive," said Bier. The BMS also controls and monitors Yaskawa variable speed drives which were installed in 2009 to reduce fan noise and duct rumble, effect soft starts on motors and other systems to minimize wear and tear, eliminate frequent readjustments on HVAC motors, and control the speed of the HVAC's fans and pumps for further energy conservation. TMBA implemented an optimum start for equipment with system sequencing in order to bring the building to the correct temperature settings just prior to the arrival of library staff and patrons. The technology applied for this purpose relies on the building's prior equipment start-up history to "learn" the most efficient equipment sequence for maximum energy conservation. Other tasks performed by the Andover BMS are the control and monitoring of HVAC maintenance requirements, occupancy-based lighting, and remote monitoring of the building's systems from outside the facility, when required. "In 2009, the Port Washington Public Library was able to reduce its annual electric consumption to 480,900 kilowatt hours; down from 637,800 kilowatt hours in 2005," continued Bier. "That reduction is the equivalent of 3,788 gallons of imported oil, 210,953 pounds of carbon dioxide and $17,277 in this year's utility payments. As a result of the variable speed drive installation, the library will achieve even larger reductions in kilowatt hours by the end of 2010." Overall, TMBA's building management and systems integration solution for the Port Washington Library is significantly lowering its operating costs, while also improving indoor air quality and comfort. This is particularly impressive since, unlike buildings that are constructed from the beginning with a green design, the library was built without any energy conservation considerations. "The library's board of trustees should be commended for being exceptionally receptive to each new technology that has been proposed to them since work began on the project five years ago," said Bier. "The library's most recent savings are incremental after achieving many other savings due to a proactive, progressive board." As one of the New York-Tri-State area's largest independent control systems, T.M. Bier & Associates (TMBA) has been at the forefront of the building automation and energy management field for over three decades. The company offers end-to-end capabilities, from the design, installation, monitoring and servicing of building management and control systems, HVAC systems, lighting and security systems, to deregulated energy and financing programs. Through its comprehensive services, building owners and operators are realizing many important benefits including up to a 50% reduction in operating costs, the extended lifespan of building equipment, improved indoor air quality and comfort, and reduced carbon footprints. The company is a "go to" resource for leading builders, developers, general contractors, commercial/industrial property owners and property managers. It lists among its diverse client base Fortune 500 companies, hospitals, libraries, schools, shopping malls and municipalities. For more information, visit: www.tmba.com. About the Port Washington Public Library The Port Washington Public Library has been serving the community since 1892 when it was housed in a local family's front parlor. Today it is a modern service-oriented institution - rated a 5 Star Library in December of 2009 by Library Journal. The Library serves the Port Washington community and was visited by over 550,000 people last year.