Located on the northern end of Providence College's illustrious campus in Rhode Island, Schneider Arena is an athletic facility. The building serves the needs of the men's and women's Division I hockey programs, men's lacrosse, the club hockey team, intramurals, and Rhode Island's youth and high school hockey teams. Over its nearly 50-year history, the 3,000+ seat arena has undergone several renovations to ensure its state-of-the-art facilities. One of the recent upgrade projects was to improve the efficiency of the chiller system responsible for maintaining the temperature of the ice. The scope of work involved a complete overhaul of the chiller plant.

The increasing energy demand leaves us all facing enormous challenges. Buildings, both new and existing, will need to make a significant contribution to a more sustainable future. Our personal choices affect future generations, not as much of an impact on the planet as commercial buildings. However, HVAC systems typically account for 40% of the building's energy consumption; the time has come to not just measure but to start managing as we enter a new era of integrated thermal energy management.

Piping Packages, sometimes referred to as coil kits or hose kits, are a streamlined method of piping HVAC terminal units, significantly reducing the amount of field joint connections required between the distribution piping and the coil. Hydronic applications use water or water/glycol solutions as heat transfer fluids in heating and cooling systems. Typically, in large-scale facilities such as commercial buildings, high-rises, schools, university campus facilities, a hydronic system will include a chilled and hot water loop to provide heating and cooling. These hydronic systems consist of centralized energy sources such as a chiller or boiler, pumps to move the fluid, and associated distribution piping to connect to localized heat transfer terminal units. These terminal units require flow control often through actuated valves and ancillary components to allow for commissioning and routine maintenance. Custom factory assembled piping packages offer an excellent solution to meet the numerous piping requirements for these hydronic applications.

Optimum Energy is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and specialists in data-driven HVAC energy optimization for campuses and extensive facilities. A pilot project was undertaken at the headquarters of one of Optimum Energy's Fortune 100 clients. The purpose was to test the impact of the award-winning Belimo Energy Valve on long-term sustainability by combatting HVAC system problems associated with low Delta-T.

ASHRAE’s newly renovated global headquarters in Peachtree Corners, Ga., will showcase the latest HVAC equipment and technology offered by Belimo. The building includes design and renovation updates to achieve a net-zero energy-efficient workplace environment. 

Airside Economizing is a great way to reduce operating costs; it also provides the correct ratio of outside air and return air to deliver the proper indoor air quality (IAQ) to meet the codes and provide occupant comfort. Many commercial building owners are paying too much for utility bills and are looking at ways to cut costs. HVAC economizer can make a difference in energy costs.

For nearly four decades, the Dunn Building in Berkeley County, West Virginia, operated as a woolen sock mill. Since then, it has been used for various purposes, including a shopping center and technical college. Today, it serves as administrative offices for Berkeley County.