Turning the CFC phase-out into energy and dollar savings

Owners of buildings cooled by central chillers will soon have to make significant investments in their chiller systems because CFC refrigerants are being phased out. If those investments are bundled with other building improvements in the proper sequence, significant energy savings can be achieved. If chiller modifications are pursued in isolation, however, large potential savings may be rendered too costly to capture for decades. The key is to start with lighting retrofits and other measures that reduce cooling loads, then upgrade HVAC pumps, fans, and other auxiliaries. The existing chiller can then be replaced with, or converted to, a smaller, more efficient system. The capital savings from downsizing the HVAC equipment can offset much of the cost of the lighting retrofits and other load reduction measures. Several utilities have begun to develop programs that capitalize on this market-driven transition. These efforts consolidate previously disparate programs in lighting, building envelope, HVAC, design assistance, and commissioning to yield far greater savings than if each building system were addressed individually.