Country Club Case Study

Private Country Club. 18 hole golf course, tennis and swimming. Established in 1927. 90,000 square foot clubhouse

Process

As a first step Energy Edge Technologies Corporation (EETC) conducted a comprehensive whole building investment-grade energy audit and engineering study of Copper Hill’s facilities. The audit included an intense review of the following areas:

Utility Bills: EETC reviewed the previous 12 months of utility data for the facility.

Designs: EETC reviewed all available electrical one line and mechanical drawings.

Facility Energy Behavior: EETC reviewed with the customer the current energy behavior of the staff including temperature set points, setting back temperatures when the facility is closed, turning off lights, office equipment, etc. after hours.

Building Envelope: EETC checked weather stripping, insulation, open doors and areas around frequently trafficked areas, etc.

Lighting Systems: EETC reviewed the current lighting systems to determine if the most efficient lighting options were being used and if occupancy sensors, timers and dimmers had been placed into operation. EETC also looked for areas that were over lit and areas that could take advantage of natural sunlight.

Heating, Ventilation and Cooling Systems: EETC looked at the HVAC/R systems to determine operating efficiency, maintenance schedules, filter replacement frequency, age, and upgrade and treatment options.

Motors and Equipment: EETC itemized all electrical loads across the facility (including HVAC, production and refrigeration equipment) and their respective run times. Actual electrical measurements such as amperage, voltage, THD%, power factor, etc were taken at all loads as well as at the main. Load, duty cycles, operating efficiency, age, replacement and treatment options, etc. were all determined.

Solution

Energy Edge Technologies Corporation (EETC) recommended a whole facility approach to energy cost reduction including all available energy conservation opportunities to significantly reduce the facility’s expenses. EETC also showed the customer how each different option would impact energy consumption as well as the project cost and return on investment. Based on EETC’s analysis and Copper Hill’s selection of available options, Copper Hill was guaranteed a minimum kWh reduction of 9.95% with a maximum guaranteed project payback of 38 months. EETC provided Copper Hill with different financing options and assistance however Copper Hill chose to invest in the project using available capital. EETC takes complete responsibility for all turnkey installations including the procurement of all equipment, labor, project management, pre- and post- inspections, waste removal, recycling, certifications, permits, administrative rebate work, etc.

Benefits

EETC measures the success of all projects in accord with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol, Option C (www.IPMVP.org) as approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. EETC compiles a statistical measurement and verification report quarterly for customers which includes utility bill analysis, base and verification period comparison, building simulation/ modeling, inclusion of all factors of influence, statistical correlation, regression analysis, etc. After 20 months of measurement and verification the project was proven to have cut the Club’s energy consumption by 15.09% and provided a 60% return on investment.

Products and Services Recommended and/or Employed

• Lighting retrofit of all T-12 fixtures with T-8 fixtures with high efficiency electronic ballasts
• Replacement of all halogen lamps with compact fluorescent bulbs
• Anti-compressor short cycling for air conditioning loads
• Variable frequency drives for irrigation pump motors
• Anti-compressor short cycling for heating systems
• Occupancy sensors
• Bi-level controls
• Changes in energy behavior such as off-peak irrigation and cart charging
• Replacement of older, less efficient HVAC equipment
• Building management system for lighting and HVAC
• Thermal qualities simulation for walk-in refrigeration