Energy Conservation Opportunities 243

• Reduce outdoor air intake quantity to the minimum allowed

under codes by adjusting outdoor air dampers. Maintain a
rate of 15-25 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of air per person.
Maintain outside air dampers.

• List automatic and gravity dampers, and routinely check that

they open and close properly. Adjust linkage or replace
dampers if the blades do not close tightly.

• Replace unsatisfactory automatic dampers with higher qual-

ity opposed blade or parallel blade dampers with seals at
edges and ends to reduce air leaks. Readjust position indica-
tors as needed to accurately show the position of all damp-
ers.

• Regularly clean or replace dirty or ineffective filters.

• Clean coils and other heat exchangers.

• Ensure that all fans rotate in the proper direction.

• Check fan, pump, or compressor motor voltage and current.

• Measure total static pressure across fans and total dynamic

head across pumps.

• Adjust fan speed, inlet guide vanes, or VFD (variable fre-

quency drive) for proper airflow.

• Maintain correct belt tension on fan-motor drives.

• Check drive misalignment.

• Discontinue use of unneeded exhaust fans.

• Rewire toilet exhaust fans to operate only when lights are on.
244 HVAC Fundamentals

• Check pump suction and discharge pressures and plot dif-

ferential pressure on the pump curve.

• Close the discharge valve if the pump circulation is more

than 10 percent greater than required flow.

• Reduce pump impeller size for greater energy savings.

• Adjust pump speed, impeller, or VFD (variable frequency

drive) for proper water flow.

• Properly adjust and balance air and water systems.

• Properly adjust controls.

• Install a time clock or automated energy management sys-

tem that will reduce heating and cooling.

• Close some air conditioning supply and return ducts for

HVAC systems operating in lobbies, corridors, vestibules,
public areas, unoccupied areas or little-used areas. Discon-
nect electrical or natural gas heating units to these areas.

HVAC SUBSYSTEMS—BOILERS

Maintaining The Boiler

A daily log of the boiler’s operating pressures and tempera-
tures and firing rate will detect variations in the system’s perfor-
mance. Any major variation in the recorded pressures or
temperatures may indicate that a problem exists. Taking the time
to investigate, analyze, and correct any developing problem will
extend the life of the boiler and maintain high operating effi-
ciency. Most commercial package boilers operate at a maximum
efficiency of about 80 to 83%. However, this is only true when the
burner is functioning properly and the tubes are clean. Maintain-