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.

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Green Building Technology

Pressure independent control valves (PIV) stabilize variable flow hydronic systems for a lifetime of efficiency and worry-free dynamic balancing. PIVs directly control the water flow required by the coil or a branch and are not affected by pressure fluctuations in the system. The valves are selected based on the flow requirements of the coil or branch, and no Cv calculations are needed. By precisely controlling the flow, the pressure independent valves eliminate the need for balancing valves, thus reducing installation costs. The most significant benefit comes in energy savings by eliminating overflow through the coil or branch. Overflow wastes pumping energy and is the leading cause of low Delta T syndrome in chilled water systems. With Belimo's pressure independent valves, every system performs to its full potential – saving time, money, and other precious resources.

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves

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. 

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Green Building Technology, Featured Case Studies

Motorized valves control and adjust water flow in a hydronic heating and cooling system. The flow through pressure dependent valves varies as the pressure (∆P) across the valve orifice changes. Typical pressure dependent valves include globe valves, zone valves, characterized control valves,  standard ball valves, and butterfly valves. When pressure varies in a system, the flow will have an identical response. As the pressure drop decreases across a pressure dependent control valve, flow decreases, starving the coil or branch. When pressure drop increases across a pressure dependent control valve, flow increases, flooding the coil or branch. Overflowing the coil usually causes what we call low Delta T syndrome. This syndrome typically increases the energy consumption of chilled water pumps, decreases system overall operating efficiency, undermines occupant comfort, and increases overall operation cost. 

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Green Building Technology

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.

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Green Building Technology, Featured Case Studies

Belimo’s ZoneTight zone valve is designed for maximum efficiency in tight spaces and sets performance standards for pressure dependent and pressure independent zoning applications. The QCV and PIQCV provide 95% less power consumption than conventional zone valves. The zone valve series easily connects to the actuator allowing operators and technicians to install valves quickly without tools, helping to reduce labor costs.

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Belimo News

Belimo released ½ inch 6-Way Electronic Pressure Independent Valves (ePIV), model number P3050B6-KS, and ¾ inch model P3075B6-JS with a flow sensor mounted to the port supplying chilled or hot water to the coil.  

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Green Building Technology, Belimo News

Land O' Lakes, Inc. is committed to environmental stewardship – leveraging sound science and state-of-the-art technologies to improve sustainability and conserve natural resources in its many operations throughout the globe. The company took steps to exemplify this commitment by improving energy efficiency at its corporate headquarters in Arden Hills, Minnesota. The majority of the headquarters' chilled water needs are handled by a single, closed-loop driven by a central chilling plant. The plant features two 300-ton centrifugal chillers (600 tons total). A total of six air handling units handle the cooling load for the headquarters – four in the office building and two in the R&D facility. When examining the operation of HVAC systems and equipment to identify areas where efficiency could be gained, Land O'Lakes, Inc. energy officials uncovered a costly issue in the AHUs' chilled water coils. Much of the time, Delta T across the coils was lower than its design specifications. In addition to increasing electricity costs due to over-pumping, this resulted in suboptimal heat transfer and significant inefficiency at the building level. After conducting a thorough review of piping, valves, and instrumentation, officials concluded various infrastructural improvements would have to be made—the process of searching for a solution, which eventually led them to the Belimo Energy Valve™.

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Green Building Technology, Featured Case Studies

Western University in London, Ontario, is widely regarded as one of Canada's premier collegiate institutions with an on-campus population to approximately 40,000 students, faculty, and staff. The main campus comprises 481 hectares [1189 acres] of Gothic-style buildings and a mix of state-of-the-art, LEED-certified structures. With overall utility costs averaging CAD 20 million, Western's facilities team devotes considerable time and resources to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Green Building Technology, Featured Case Studies

Humans spend around 90% of their lifetimes inside closed rooms, therefore its essential to have a pleasant room climate. Air quality, in particular, has a significant impact on our health and well-being. Airtight building shells may well be superior in terms of energy, but they prevent natural air exchange. However, buildings can be fully automated using appropriate ventilation systems and sensors.

Tags: Pressure Independent Valves, Sensors