CHAPTER 3

ENERGY CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES

(Observations, Field Trials, Analysis and Key Result Areas)

3.1

INTRODUCTION

The study of the utility operations, data collection, observations, field trials and
analysis for various areas at ICICI Bank, Shobha Pearl, Bangaluru was
undertaken keeping in view the energy scene, focus areas elaborated in the
previous chapters and with a view to identify energy conservation
opportunities in the same. The basis for this is the orientation visit,
discussions with the engineering personnel and the agreed plan for data
collection & field trials. All these trials were undertaken at normal operating
conditions. Also the data was so generated that erratic or absurd values are
deleted and only data for normal operating conditions were taken for analysis.
Saving potential is calculated on present electricity rates.

As highlighted in Chapter - 2, electricity is the main primary energy form

contributing to the total energy bill. Hence, the focus of the study was on this
sector. The study was therefore, devoted to analysis of operations and major
equipments consuming electricity.

Commercial premises have the potential to consume substantial amount of

energy and other resources. Inefficient utilisation practices can lead to excess
waste. The goal of an energy audit is to identify these wasteful practices and
suggest ways to improve. The role of an energy auditor is to show
participating offices the link between actions taken in the office and their
effect on the environment.

3.2

ENERGY CONSERVATION AWARENESS

Awareness of the magnitude of energy wastages needs to instilled in the minds

of not only the top and middle management level but it is of extreme
importance to instil the same in the minds of the operating people who are
actually consuming major part of the total energy. Some of the methods to
achieve these objectives are:

Coin appropriate slogans and display the same at important places and near
strategic equipments.
Conduct regular weekly meetings and brief the operating staff about the loss or
gain on account of the energy uses in that period.
Open a scheme for obtaining suggestions for conserving energy.
Display regularly the usage of energy.

3.3

ELECTRICAL ENERGY

3.3.1

Transformer: Capacity & Utilisation

The Shobha Pearl building occupied by ICICI bank has one no. 11 KV/ 415 V,
1250 KVA transformer.

Peak demand noted transformer was around 662 KVA or 53 %. Average demand
registered is about 585 KVA (47%).

A transformer is a device, which is foremost in the electrical power distribution

system and remains continuously energised in the circuit drawing reactive
power. The reactive power demand of the transformer can be divided into a
constant portion and a load dependent portion. The constant portion is the no
load power and is around 1 to 3.5% of rated power.

At present M/s ICICI has a contract demand of 1250 kVA. The average maximum
demand registered for the year 2007 is 585 kVA. The variation in transformer
loading is as below. The ICICI office is a commercial building and power
consumed varies with occupancy levels. The transformer loading observed
for past months and even for the last 2 years is quite low. Provided no major
expansion is foreseen there exists some saving potential in transformer
rationalisation. Saving potential by replacing existing 1250 KVA transformer
by a 900 KVA transformer is about 5 kwh (@1.5% losses) equivalent to Rs.
2.8 lakhs p.a. (@ Rs. 6.5 / kwh and 8600 hrs). Cost of replacement of
transformer is Rs. 8 10 lakhs giving a high payback period of 3.5 years. The
same is being discussed so as to highlight the encon area and not
necessarily proposed. Based on managements future plans for expansion or
relocation the same can be useful for sizing future installations.
Table 4, Monthly Transformer Loading
Sr. No.

Months

Maximum Demand
Registered, kVA

Transformer
Loading, %

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Jan 07
Feb 07
March 07
April 07
May 07
June 07

504
525
567
626
662
625

40
42
45
50
53
50

Average

585

47

3.3.2

Maximum Demand Control

Load management basically aims at improving the system load factor and or
optimising maximum demand. The average actual load factor for ICICI
Bangalore is 35%. Load factor is a measure of utilisation of available contract
demand or actual recorded MD. The load factor is expectedly low since the
office hours are around 12 16 hours in a day only with few fixed loads
running throughout the day.
Thus,
Load factor =
kwh per month
24hrs x 30 days x M . D. ( recorded ) or contract demand x P. F .

The peak demand is measured by taking half hour averages. In a month (720
hrs), there would be 1440 measurements. The highest measurement will be
chosen as the peak demand. The total energy consumption determines the
average load.

The maximum demand depends on the simultaneous running of various

machines of the plant at peak period.

The present maximum demand varies from 500 to 660 KVA & an average of
last 6 months at 585 KVA.

The minimum billing demand is 938 KVA which is 75% of the contract
demand.

The average registered demand of 585 KVA is way behind the minimum
billing demand 938 KVA. Thus, presently there is no incentive to
reduce/rationalise the peak demand. However, saving potential exists in
reducing demand charges by renegotiating / rationalising contract demand.
The present peak demand registered in any given month has been 662 KVA.
Assuming there is an expansion of inhouse loads by another 40 KVA and a
margin of additional 50 KVA for exigencies the contract demand can be
renegotiated for 900 KVA. This would lead to a minimum billing demand of
675 KVA which is near to the peak demand. Saving potential in terms of
demand charges would be minimum 263 KVA x Rs 200/KVA x 12 = Rs. 6.3
lakhs p.a.

The peak demand will be monitored by installing a demand control meter

(direct demand management system). These meters are programmed to
switch-off non essential loads, when a predetermined demand is likely to be
exceeded. Simple systems give audible/visual alarms, sophisticated systems
provide a wide variety of control options. In general, the systems can provide
the following facilities:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Accurate prediction of the demand

Graphical display of present load and available margin to peak load
Visual and audible alarms
Automatic shedding of loads in a pre-determined sequence
Automatic restoration of loads (at extra cost)
Recording and metering facility (at extra cost)

The peak demand occurs during peak occupancy when all terminals are
occupied and with higher ambient temperature leading to operation of all AC
plants.

Approximate cost of installing a demand control meter is Rs. 0.75 lakh.

Although, for bangalore office it is not necessary to install this meter for
achieving above savings, the same is proposed as a safety measure to not
exceed contract demand.

3.3.3

Air conditioning System

3.3.3.1 Refrigeration compressor plants

a) Compressor units

The existing air conditioning plant consists of 90 TR rated capacity package units
consisting of 3 nos. compressors of 30 TR each. There are 3 units each of 90
TR with two nos. operating and one standby. Rated connected load of one
package unit is about 100 Kw. Power measurement on the compressors gave
average consumption of 70 kw for chiller unit no 1 and 50 kw for chiller unit
no 2. The chilling load measured from condenser heat load duty is about 100
TR. The specific power consumption for package unit is about 1.2 kwh/TR
based compressor loading. The ambient climate was cloudy and it was
raining during the study period.

The chilling plant comprises of three compressors having separate circuits with a
total of 6 air cooled condenser fans. Each circuit has a compressor of 30TR
each & a condenser coil. The air cooled condensers are regularly cleaned
every month.

b)

Observations & analysis

The chilled water temperature maintained at supply end is 8C with return from
various AHUs at 11 12C. The share of main AC plant to overall electricity
consumption is about 37% (195 kwh) including AHUs and other auxiliaries.
Normally two 90 TR chilling plants are continuously operated with third
operated during peak summer hours and maintained as standby. Chilled
water at 8/9C is generated and supplied to various AHUs for air
conditioning.

The grill temperature at various floors varies from 17 18C with return air
temperature at 23 24C. Temperature of room is maintained at 22 23 C
for human comfort.

c)

d)

e)

Installing VFD for AHU blowers

The AHU blowers are continuously operating and blowing in air at fixed cfm.
Based on a motor load survey conducted on each AHU blower motor it can
be noted that almost all motors are loaded to an extent of 50 60 %. The
motor size is normally selected based on initial starting torque. The air
conditioning load varies with season and occupancy levels. Chiller load
management is based on fixed return air temperature with respective AHUs
being switched off (manually) whenever lower room temperature are reached.
The potential savings with installing VFD for AHU blowers is not much as
these would be beneficial only during lower ambient temp. or for lower
occupancy levels both of which are less frequent.
Replacing undersized motors
The motor loading of all continuously operated equipments has been studied and
no motor size rationalisation is proposed as the loading values measured are
found satisfactory.
Improvement potential at chilled water (Ch. W.) pumps
The chilled water package system consists of three units out of which only
two units of 90 TR operate continuously throughout. The auxiliary equipments
like chilled water pumps operate 2 in nos. Rated capacity of each pump is
about 51 m/hr. From actual power measurements, head measurement and
pump curve the chilled water flow is 10 / 15% more than rated capacity. The
delta T across the chiller is 2 to 3 C (with outlet as 9 and return as 11C).
From motor load survey it is observed that the motors are slightly overloaded.
It is recommended to throttle the discharge to shift the pumps operation to
near its rated design head and flow point, alternatively, higher capacity
pumps to be installed.

i.

The two pumps are consuming about 3.5 kw more than rated.
Provided that flow can be reduced without affecting overall chilling load the
saving potential is about Rs. 82,000/- p.a.

3.3.3.2 Minimising Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Requirements

A significant portion of the air conditioning load is due to the heat transmitted
through the glass walls and heat stored in the walls. This results in the room
inner wall surface being at temperatures higher than that of the human body.
This results in discomfort as the human body is unable to radiate heat to the
walls; hence heat transfer (body cooling) is possible only by convection (air
movement) & perspiration. Cooling of the building structure (walls & roofs)
itself can lead to dramatic reduction in wall temperature.

A Mumbai based company, specializing in innovations in refrigeration and air

conditioning, has extended this concept further and attempted cooling the
roof and the floor by burying a grid of water filled pipes (fig. 3.1), under
vacuum, in the roof and floor. Water evaporates at 25C and the grid is
connected to a small cooling tower, which acts as the heat sink and
condenses the water vapour.

This concept was first attempted in a pent house at Ahmedabad. In May, with
Ahmedabad ambient temperature at 41.6C, the terrace floor temperature
was 61.9C, but the structure cooling system ensured that the room
temperature was only 27C. In fact, observations reveal that the room
temperature remained almost constant through out the day and night.

With structure cooling the cooled part of the building becomes a heat sink for the
entire structure. A cooler structure helps more efficient heat transfer from the
human body to the structure and increase the comfort level. This concept has
also been implemented by a leading pharmaceutical company (IPCA lab) in

Madya Pradesh for ware house and an entire factory cooling. This can help
eliminate or reduce the need for air conditioning.

It is possible to install a natural cooling system consisting of a tube bundle sealed

under vaccum with a working fluid inside to dissipate solar heat gain received
on top of building back to the atmosphere and minimise heat load.

The working fluid filled under vacuum will evaporate at a very low ambient
temperature and prevent solar heat from passing through to the building wall.
The evaporated fluid will need to be condensed in a small water bath with a
cooling fan and return the fluid back to the pipe. The system has no
equipment and moving parts apart from a small cooling fan. The working fluid
evaporates and rises to the top of the cooling bath and returns back by
gravity. The pipe grid acts as barrier reef to the solar heat load and minimise
heat gain by the building structure. This system can very effectively eliminate
or significantly reduce energy consumption requirements of air conditioning
plants.

The detailed description of the system is available in the form of a presentation.

Larger picture is attached in appendix.
HEAT REJECTION TO ATMOSPHERE
BY WATER EVAPORATION
SMALL FAN
HEAT EXCHANGER

PUMPLESS MOVEMENT
BY THERMAL FORCES ONLY

AIR

AIR
RADIANT HEAT EMISSION
TO MINUS 40C SKY
DAY & NIGHT

SURFACE TEMP.
ABOUT PLUS 45C.

SMALL PUMP.

MAKE-UP FROM
RE-CYCLED BATHROOM
WASTE WATER

SOLAR HEAT
FINISH COAT
CONTAINING BARITES

SEALED HEAT
TRANSFER FLUID

WATER PROOFING

PIPE GRID EMBEDDED

IN WATER PROOFING

ROOF SLAB
TEMPERATURE
LESS THAN 30C

ROOM BELOW

COOLING TOWER
PUMPED COOLING
TOWER WATER

PLASTER (NO INSULATION REQUIRED.)

NOTE :- * GRID ABSORBS SOLAR HEAT DURING DAY
& EXTRACTS STRUCTURE HEAT AT NIGHT.
* HUMAN SKIN TEMPERATURE IS ABOUT 35C.

NATURAL COOLING SYSTEM USING HERITAGE TECHNIQUES & MODERN TECHNOLOGY

FOR 40% TO 70% REDUCTION IN AIR CONDITIONING LOAD

However, since the building is on lease any encon measure requiring additions &
modifications in building will need to be put up with appropriate authorities.
Potential for reducing air conditioning load is around 35%.

3.3.3.3 Improve Air Distribution And Circulation In Air Conditioned Rooms

In some air conditioning systems, lower temperatures are set to distribute air
over a larger area and or satisfy individual lower cooling comfort levels. At

few places the supply air grill temperature was measured at 16C. At ICICI,
the supply and return air grills for AHUs are placed at ceiling height. Also,
changes in ducting systems are not possible thus leading to permanently
paying higher energy bills. In such air conditioned spaces, use of circulation
fans can provide apparent comfort and help raise/maintain the room
temperature settings to about 24 C instead of 22 C. Quiet fans can be
concealed behind suspended grill or placed on floor to ensure that the dcor
and silence is not affected. The reduction in energy consumption in the
refrigeration machine will be significantly more than that consumed by the
circulation fans.

It is recommended to maintain 24C room temperature by setting return air

temperature slightly higher than present values. Although, as discussed with
operating staff the room temperatures are set to be maintained at 24C, but
at times due to lower occupancies the same become cooler. Wall mounted
temperature and humidity sensors will assist in maintaining optimum
refrigeration loads and energy consumption. Cost of installing fans is
estimated at Rs. 2000/- per installation with about 10 installations per floor.

3.3.3.4 Use of Landscaping to Reduce Solar Heat Load

At the time of building design, fountains and water flow can be used to provide
evaporative cooling and act as heat sinks. Trees may be grown around
buildings to reduce the heat ingress through windows and also reduce glare.

3.3.3.5 Reduce Excessive Use of Glass on Buildings

At ICICI the building has used glass facades and / or large window areas (at
some places > 50% of the wall area) resulting in large solar heat gain and
heat transmission. The ICICI building also has a large portion of the front
wall and sidewalls as glass walls, although, care has been taken to provide
curtains to minimise heat ingress.

This architecture is suitable for cold countries, while here it increases the air
conditioning load for about eight to ten months in a year.

The benchmark for air conditioning power consumption is about 1 kwh/ 100 ft
and the same for ICICI Shobha pearl building is also close to the benchmark.

3.3.3.6 Use Glass with Low Heat Gain Co-efficient and Thermal Conductivity

The below table shows the SHGC, thermal conductivity and daylight
transmittance for different types of glass panes. Use of glass with low SHGC
and thermal conductivity is recommended. Daylight transmittance is
important, if electric lighting (another heat load) has to be minimised. To a
great extent care has been taken at ICICI buildings to install tinted glasses as
well as provide curtains to minimise heat gain.

Table 5, Properties of Different Types of Window Glass

Product
Clear Glass
Body Tinted Glass
Hard Coated Solar
Control Glass
Soft Coated Solar
Control Glass
Low Emissivity Glass
Solar Control + Low
Emissivity Glass

Solar Heat Gain

Coefficient
0.72
0.45
0.26

Thermal
Conductivity
3.16
3.24
3.27

Daylight
Transmittance
79
65
24

0.18

3.08

15

0.56
0.23

2.33
1.77

61
4.1

3.3.3.7 Use Low Conductivity Window Frames

Consider the use of plastic window frames in place of steel and aluminium
frames. This will reduce the heat ingress by conduction.

3.3.3.8 Provide Insulation on Sun-Facing Roofs and Walls

Building insulation has not received much attention in India. Air-conditioned

office buildings should be provided with insulated walls (hollow bricks with
insulation, double walls with insulation filling, etc.) to reduce the heat ingress.
Providing roof under-deck insulation is a common practice.

It is reported that at the Biological Sciences Building at Indian Institute of

Technology, Kanpur, roof and wall insulation has reduced the cooling load by
23%. The windows to wall ratio is only 7% and double glass insulated glass
windows have reduced the cooling load by another 9%.

A seven storied modern, air conditioned office building in Mumbai with about
70,000 ft2 has a heat load of 185 TR in summer. The window to wall ratio is
about 30%. A simulation revealed that blocking 50% of the windows with
laminated rigid insulation boards can reduce the air conditioning load by
13%. Providing gypsum board panels along the walls with a one inch air gap
can reduce the air conditioning load by an additional 4%.

3.3.3.9 Avoid the Use of Air Cooled Condensers

To take advantage of the wet bulb temperature, avoid the use

of air-cooled condensers for large cooling loads. Air cooled condensers may
be permitted only for small cooling loads or in conditions of extreme scarcity

of water or lack of space for cooling tower. Use the lowest temperature
condenser water available that the chiller can handle.

In the same Mumbai building the air conditioning system

comprised of 56 nos. air cooled package air conditioners with an average
COP of 2.7. Replacement of air cooled condensers by water cooler
condensers could reduce the specific energy consumption by about 40%.

Air cooled condensers, being limited by the dry bulb

temperature of air, generally result in higher refrigerant condensing
temperature (125 F) and pressure, compared to water cooled condensers
(95 F), leading to higher compression ratios and higher power consumption
(about 20% or higher) in compressors.

For an existing installation like ICICI it is possible to improve /

lower refrigerant condensing temperature and pressure by either replacing
with a water cooled condenser & a cooling tower or install an evaporative
cooler in front of the air cooled condenser.

Evaluation of cooling effect of existing one system

COP

Cooling effect in KW

Power input to compr in KW

Therefore , COP

air flow kg/hr x (Tin Tout) x 0.24

860 x compr. power

3,00,000
860 x 100 kw

3.49

Therefore, specific Power

Consumption for present system
Specific power consumption with
Water cooled type condenser
Thus, for a 90 TR duty, power
consumption in water cooled
AC plant is

=
=

100 / 85
1.17 kW/TR

0.8 kW/TR

=
=

0.80 kW/TR x 90 TR
72 kW

Therefore, savings potential in

evaporative cooled AC system Vs air
cooled AC system per existing
chiller unit
=
=

(100 72) kW
28 kW

Average running hours

12 hrs / day & 300 days a year

Less blower & water pump power

10 Kw

Total savings potential

=
chillers x # 75% x Rs 6.5/kwh
(# diversity factor for monsoon months)
=

(28 10) x 12 x 300 x 2 nos

Rs. 6.3 lakhs p.a.

Even after accounting for cooling water pumping and

additional blower fan power consumption, this saving potential is significant.
Approximate cost of installing an evaporative cooler in front of two air cooled
condenser units would be about Rs. 7.5 lakhs. Approximate savings
potential is about Rs. 6.3 lakhs giving a simple payback period of 15
months. Based on the success of one installation the other package unit can
also be installed with similar evaporative type cooler.
Evaporative Pre-coolers for Air-cooled Condensers

The performance of air-cooled condensers is limited by the

dry bulb temperature. The performance of these condensers can be
improved, in dry weather conditions, by providing humidified air near wet
bulb temperature. This pre-cooler consists of a fill material with trickling
water through which the air is drawn. Depending on the design, the fan
power may increase or a booster fan may be required to overcome the
additional resistance to air flow. The potential for energy saving in dry
summer months is about 30% to 40%.

3.3.3.10 Reducing Ventilation Heat Load

Ventilation is required for ensuring healthy conditions to the occupants

of air conditioned rooms. Most designs provide ventilation of about 15 cfm per
person in nonsmoking area. In India, the issue of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is
usually ignored; ventilation ports are generally kept closed and fresh air is
usually available only through door openings.

Indoor Air Quality is a serious issue in the developed countries and, in

future, buildings in India may also have to adhere to norms. However, with
ventilation, the heat load increases as the heat content of fresh air is
generally higher in summer. Air to air heat exchangers can help reduce this
heat load by pre-cooling the incoming air with out-going exhaust air.

At ICICI Shobha pearl there are no marked entry and exits for fresh
air and stale air. The building shaft ducts and door entry/exits are supposed
to serve the purpose of supplying fresh air and exhausting stale air. The AHU
rooms have their fresh air ducts closed so as to minimise AC load. It is
recommended to atleast partially open the duct dampers.

Air-to-Air Heat Exchangers for Pre-cooling Ventilation Air.

Plate Heat Exchangers. These heat exchangers use a series of thin
Aluminium sheets to transfer heat between two air streams. Sufficient
turbulence is created between the plates to improve heat transfer.

3.3.3.11

Multi temperature cooling system with actual localised point of

use air distribution system.

At ICICI, shobha pearl building the fresh air ducts are located behind various
AHUs. Stale air is designed to be exhausted through door openings. It is
possible to improve the ventilation system and instil freshness in the air
conditioned floors by installing small air conditioned supply grills directly in
front of sitting personnel. This will reduce the actual amount of air-conditioned
air to be supplied throughout the floor. Point wise supply on top of cubicles
will give localised air-conditioned supply and comfort to the personnel. Below
picture gives an actual installation in a Mumbai office. Although, it will be
difficult to replace existing ceiling grills and ducting systems this localised air
distribution system can be incorporated in new building designs.

3.3.3.12

Minimising non critical load on DG set during load shedding hours

With increased grid power shortage and worsening power scenario in

Bangalore, the frequency of load shedding is bound to continue. Presently,
the DG set contributes almost 15 % of the power demand of the complex but
constitutes about 28% in terms of diesel expenses towards electricity
generation in the overall energy cost. With ever increasing price of diesel, it
would be in the managements interests to minimise DG set running costs.
This can be done by educating engineering operating staff on the critical and
non critical loads at the hotel complex. By identifying non critical loads and
not operating them during DG set running should be tried. Any other electrical
load that can be switched off without affecting office work should be identified
during DG set operation. It should be informed to all concerned that DG set
electrical costs are in excess of Rs. 20 per kwh in fuel expenses alone. List
of such non critical equipments can be spot lights, geyser at senior manager
floor, shoe polish m/cs, fountain pump, etc.
3.4

Illumination Load

The total illumination connected load in the building is around 75 Kw

equivalent to 15% of total consumption. A lux survey was undertaken at
different locations in the building. The operating staff has already targeted
lighting consumption by alternate switching ON/OFF of one FTL in a fitting of
two FTLs. Also, in service corridors alternate fitting are kept ON.

The lux levels observed at various locations are adequate for

operational purpose and no further improvements are recommended.

3.5

Personal Computers

The other major electricity consuming appliances at ICICI are

personal computer terminals and auxiliaries like printers, etc. It has been
observed that during non-occupancy, the monitors have ongoing screen
saver programme running. This not only consumes monitor power but also
CPU power. Although, few of the monitors are of the lower energy consuming
model types, the same should be programmed to go to sleep mode in the
shortest acceptable time limit.

Also, after logging off and during weekly offs the terminals are left
running (in sleep mode) thus adding to the dead load of cooling the building.
It is recommended to advise all operating stations to switch off their PCs
whenever they have logged off and no programme testing is under process.
Terminals with long hours of computation work should be tagged as do not
disturb so as to avoid being switched off by service staff.

3.6

Water Use For Toilets & Gardening

The data collected for water consumption in ICICI building indicates

an average water consumption of 1000 m/month. This is a huge quantity of
water consumption for a commercial building complex and is comparable with
other ICICI building like Mahalaxmi at Mumbai. Moreover, from the data
collected for water use in the building, it is observed that most of the water
used is in toilets with very minor consumption for gardening. For an
approximate occupancy level of 1500 persons in the building per day, the
specific consumption is about 25 lt/person. The same is only indicative as
actual occupancy is difficult to estimate.

Low volume flushes can be installed with occupancy sensors to

minimise water usage. Toilet flushes with water release rates of 6 lt/flush
instead of older ones with 18 lt/flush are now available.

3.7

Replacing hot water geysers in canteen kitchen for dish washing, food
warming and in senior manager floor for washing hands
The building has many hot water geysers ( 24 nos. each of 2.5 KW) in the
building wash rooms. However only a few are switched ON at the senior
manager floor. Hot water usage has been discontinued to minimise electric
power consumption. If the management considers providing hot water for
staff the same can be availed from heat recovery from AC package units. All
this hot water generation from electric heater means can be replaced with hot
water heat recovery system from air conditioning package units. About 16
lt/TR can be generated at 60C. The refrigerant from the compressor is at a
much higher temperature (90 95C) due to heat of compression. This is
cooled in the air cooled condenser. A waste heat exchanger installed in the
path recovers this heat and imparts it to water in an indirect contact type shell
& tube heat exchanger. The hot water temperature achievable is about 60
70 C which is sufficient for all above purposes.
It will be required to install a heat recovery unit and a water tank on top of the
terrace near the chiller package and generate hot water from waste heat
recovery sources. The hot water can then be separately distributed to all the
use points. A small circulation pump (1 kw) will be required for maintaining
flow through the heat-exchanger. Alternatively, a thermo siphon natural water
circulation system can also be designed since the water demand is not very
high.
Presently there is no saving potential for calculating payback. Hot water
supply to staff may find favor since the climate of bangalore is generally
cooler. Cost of installing one unit is about Rs. 7 lakhs.

Appendix gives the schematic diagram of an air conditioning plant waste

heat recovery potential for hot water generation.

3.8

Checklist For Improving Energy Efficiency

Diagnostics
The following check list provides a guide to help diagnose the reasons for
poor COP in chiller packages.
For Vapour Compression Machines
1. Compare the COP with that expected for similar end-use temperatures.
2. In case the COP is lower than expected, compare the suction and
discharge pressures with that of normally expected values for the
particular refrigerant. Lower suction pressures indicate poor heat transfer
in the evaporator. Higher discharge pressures indicate poor heat transfer
in the condenser.
3. in case poor heat transfer is suspected, the heat transfer co-efficient may
be calculated.
4. The heat transfer may be poor due to fouling of the heat exchangers
(scaling, oil film due to poor oil separation, etc.), inadequate fluid flow,
inadequate heat transfer area or poor cooling tower performance or poor
pump or fan performance or a combination of these factors.
5. The cooling tower performance may be poor due to fouling of the fill,
damaged fill, inadequate water flow, excess water flow, poor water
distribution, inadequate air flow or under-sizing of cooling tower.
6. In the case of air-conditioning machines, choking of air filters of Air
Handling Units, can lead to lower suction pressures.
7. Poor suction conditions for fans can lead to significantly reduced air flow.
8. Fouling of heat exchangers may be due to carry over of lubricating oil into
heat exchangers or scaling of heat transfer surfaces due to poor water
treatment or other product related fouling. The precise cause will have to
be identified by further study.
9. The COP may also drop due drop in efficiency of the compressor. The
drop may be in volumetric efficiency or thermodynamic efficiency of the
compressor. This requires additional information on actual positive
displacement in the compressor and theoretical calculations using Mollier
charts. Volumetric efficiency may drop due to wear & tear of pistons &
cylinders linings or malfunctioning of suction & discharge valves. The
thermodynamic efficiency may drop due to poor compressor cooling,
especially intercoolers in multi-stage machines.

For Vapour Absorption Machines

1.
2.
3.

4.

Compare the COP with that expected for similar end-use temperatures.
Lower generator temperatures indicate operation at reduced capacity.
In the case of absorption machines, the COP will generally be close to
expected valves. However, the ability of the machine to deliver rated
capacity will be compromised if there are any system deficiencies. Reduced
capacity may lead to increase in number of operating machines and also
wasted auxiliary energy consumption in pumps, cooling towers, etc.
Inadequate cooling in cooling towers leads to reduced capacity of absorption
chilling packages.

Checklist For Energy Conservation in HVAC

Avoid Refrigeration & Air-conditioning to the Extent Possible

Use of evaporative cooling for comfort cooling in dry areas

Use cooling tower water at higher flows for process cooling

Operate at Higher Temperature

Increase the chilled water temperature set point if possible.

Improve Air Distribution and Circulation
Improve air Distribution in Cold Storages
Measure and control temperature accurately

Reduction in Air-conditioning Volume and Shift Unnecessary Heat Loads

Keep Unnecessary Heat Loads Out

Use False Ceilings
Use Small Power Panel Coolers
Use Pre-Fabricated, Modular Cold Storage Units

Minimise Heat Ingress

Check and Maintain Thermal Insulation

Insulate Pipe Fittings
Use Landscaping to the Reduce Solar Heat Load
Reduce Excessive Window Area
Use Low Emissivity (Sun Control) Firms
For air-conditioned spaces, low emissivity (sun control) films, revolving doors,
air-curtains, PVC strip curtains, etc.
Use Low Conductivity Window Frames

Provide Insulation on Sun-Facing Roofs and Walls

Provide Evaporative Roof Cooling
Building Structure Cooling
Use Doors, Air Curtains, PVC Strip Curtains
Use High Speed Doors for Cold Storage

Using Favourable Ambient Conditions

Use Cooling Tower Water Directly for Cooling in Winter

Design New Air-conditioning Systems with Facility for 100% Fresh Air during
Winter
Use Ground Source Heat Pumps

Compressors
Ensure correct charging of refrigerant and check seals regularly for leaks
Avoid throttling of suction / discharge valves
Use Evaporators and Condensers with Higher Heat Transfer Efficacy
Use Heat Exchangers with Larger Surface Aea
Install desuperheaters with heat recovery for applications requiring hot water.
Use Plate Heat Exchangers for Process and Refrigeration Machine Condenser
Cooling
Avoid the Use of Air Cooled Condensers
Sub-cooling of liquid refrigerant is desirable by over-sizing of condenser.
Energy Saving Opportunities in Normal Operation
Use Building Thermal Inertia
Put HVAC Window Air Conditioners and Split Units on Timer or Occupancy
Sensing Control
Interlock Fan Coil Units in Hotels with Door Lock or Master Switch
Improve Utilisation of Outside Air.
Maintain Correct anti-freeze Concentration
Install a Control System to Co-Ordinate Multiple Chillers
Permit Lower Condenser Pressures during Favourable Ambient Conditions
Optimise Water / Brine / Air Flow Rates
Defrosting
Match the Refrigeration System Capacity to the Actual Requirement
Monitor Performance of Refrigeration Machines
Maintenance to Ensure Energy Efficiency Operation
Clean Fouled Heat Exchangers
Specify Appropriate Fouling Factors for Condensers
Purging the Condenser of Air
Do Not Overcharge Oil

Maintain compressor seals to avoid refrigerant leaks.

Pumps Fans / Blowers

Optimise the performance of pumps, fans & blowers as the flow rates can
have significant impact on the performance of the chilling package.
Inter-fuel Substitution for Energy Cost Reduction
In locations with process waste heat or waste heat from captive power
plants, consider the use of absorption chilling packages
In locations with cheap fuel sources, like agro-waste, pit-heat coal or
natural gas, consider the use of absorption chilling packages
Gas engine driven vapour compression packages can also be
considered, especially when it is part of a cogeneration system.
System Design and Equipment Selection for Energy Efficient Operation
Provide air conditioning only for small areas when required for manufacturing
process. Comfort air conditioning should be minimised to the extent possible.
Avoid oversizing to the extent possible try to match the actual load, provide
efficient method of modulation
Use larger heat transfer areas of evaporators and condensers
Sub-cooling of liquid refrigerant can be considered to reduce flashing of
refrigerant in evaporator.
Consider the use of vapour absorption machines when waste heat or other
economical heat energy sources are available.
Larger pipe diameters, especially vapour lines
Thicker insulation on pipes and vessels
Thicker insulation on the structure, provide building insulation
Use smooth, well-rounded air inlet cones for fan air intakes
Avoid poor flow distribution at the fan inlet.
Minimise fan inlet and outlet obstructions
Use airfoil shaped fan blades
Use low slip or no-slip (timing) belts
Use variable speed drives for large pumps and fan loads
Use energy efficient motors for continuous or near continuous operation
Eliminate or reduce reheat whenever possible
Purchase only high efficiency machines, even at a premium
Consider ground heat pumps.
Cooling Towers
Control cooling tower fans based temperature range and temperature approach.
Ensure as low an approach as possible at the rated temperature.
Control to be optimum temperature as determined from cooling tower and chiller
performance data. Lower cooling water temperatures generally help reduce
compressor power consumption

Use two-speed or variable speed drives for cooling tower fan control if the fans
are few. Stage the cooling tower fans with on-off control if there are many.
Turn off unnecessary cooling tower fans when loads are reduced.
Cover hot water basins (to minimise algae growth that contributes to fouling)
Balance flow to cooling tower hot water basins
Periodically clean plugged cooling tower distribution nozzles
Install new nozzles to obtain a more uniform water pattern
Replace splash bars with self-extinguishing PVC cellular film fill.
On old counter-flow cooling towers, replace old spray type nozzles with new
square spray ABS practically non-clogging nozzles
Replace slat type drift eliminators with low pressure drop, self extinguishing, PVC
cellular units. Follow manufacturers recommended clearances around cooling
towers and relocate or modify structures that interfere with the air intake or
exhaust.
Optimise cooling tower fan blade angle on a seasonal and / or load basis.
Correct excessive and / or uneven fan blade tip clearance and poor fan balance
Use a velocity pressure recovery fan ring
Consider on-line water treatment
Restrict flows through large loads to design values
Shut off loads that are not in service
Take blow down water from return water header
Optimise blowdown flow rate
Send blowdown water to other uses or to the cheapest sewer to reduce effluent
treatment load
Install interlocks to prevent fan operation when there is no water flow.

Thermal Storage
Consider Thermal Storage (eg. ice banks) for energy cost saving, where electric
supply utilities are having Time of Use tariff with high peak time rates and low off
peak rates

3.9

WATER

3.9.1

Potential for Water / Energy Consumption

1.

Energy Efficiency Measures

The paragraphs below highlight the various energy efficiency measures

that the engineering staff can undertake in their day to day operating practise.
Although, at times all these measures may not be implementable at the guest
facilities, but surely, they can be implemented at the common service facilities
like restaurant, wash rooms, service canteen, gardens, etc.

2.

In the Bathroom

a.

Showers

Energy-efficient shower heads conserve energy without changing water

pressure. Low-flow shower heads use up to 60 percent less water than
standard fixtures. Flow restrictors, on the other hand, reduce water use from
19 to 11 litres per minute and can save up to 15 percent on hot water bill.
Consider a low-flow shower head with a shut-off button. The advantage of
the shut-off button is that it allows you to be very water efficient you can
interrupt the flow while you lather up or shampoo and then resume at the
same flow rate and temperature.

In the bathroom, a flow rate of two litres per minute should significantly
reduce water consumption but also let you enjoy your shower.

b.

Toilets

Installing a water-saver flush kit in the toilets will save water. One can also
replace large-volume toilets with units that use only six litres per flush you'll
reduce water usage by 70 percent or more.

For the existing toilets, install a water-saving device inside the tank at the
back of the toilet. The most common water retention device available is the
toilet dam. When installed properly, it will save about five litres per flush.

A plastic bag or bottle filled with water and suspended inside the toilet
tank is an excellent water displacement device that's easy to find and install.

Monitor the performance of the devices periodically. If you discover that it

becomes necessary to double flush the toilet, something needs to be
adjusted or replaced. Remember: double flushing defeats the purpose of
water conservation efforts and is costing money.

Replacing an 18-litre-per-flush toilet with an ultra-low-volume (ULV) sixlitre flush model represents a 66 percent savings in water flushed and will cut
indoor water use by about 30 percent. The ULV toilet not only uses less
water, it produces less wastewater and reduces load n the sewage treatment
plant.

3.

In the Kitchen

Rinsing dishes under the tap also wastes a lot of water. Rinse the dishes
in a large bowl of water, or partially fill one side of a double sink. Here's
another approach: slowly pour a bowl of water over dishes after putting them
in the drainer.

If you wash your dishes by hand, you use more water and energy than if
you use an automatic dishwasher.

Fix leaking faucets as soon as possible. A hot water faucet that leaks one
drip per second will waste 9000 litres per year. That's enough water for 160
full cycles on an automatic dishwasher.

4.

Outdoor Water Consumption

More than 50 percent of the water applied to lawns and gardens is lost
due to evaporation or to run-off because of over watering. As a general rule,
most lawns and gardens require little more than 2 to 3 cm (1 in.) of water per
week.

To reduce losses due to evaporation, water early in the morning (after the
dew has dried) and or in the late evenings.

Ideally, sprinklers should be suited to the size and shape of the lawn. That
way, you avoid watering driveways and sidewalks. Sprinklers that lay water
down in a flat pattern are better than oscillating sprinklers, which lose as
much as 50 percent of what they disperse through evaporation.

When washing a car, fill a bucket with water and use a sponge. This can
save about 300 litres of water.

Consider a low-maintenance landscape one that requires little more

water than nature provides. Often called xeriscaping, the principles of a lowmaintenance landscape are as follows:

a reduced amount of lawn

proper plant selection that makes use of native grasses, shrubs and trees
the use of rain barrels / roof drainage

5.

mulching to reduce evaporative losses around shrubs and trees

a proper irrigation system with planned maintenance
Water Heaters

Examine all the water heaters at the various guest rooms and residential
facilities if its surface is hot or even warm, some of the energy used to heat
the water is being wasted.

Shopping for a new water heater? Look for a high-efficiency unit. Some new
models heat water only when you need it rather than storing hot water in a
tank.

When the management is planning to buy a new water heater for the guest
rooms, here's a tip that could save them up to Rs. 5000 per year: Bigger isn't
necessarily better.

When installing a new hot water tank or designing new guest rooms, make
sure that you place the unit as close as possible to the use point. Heat is lost
in long pipe runs. For instance, reducing a hot-water pipe from 10 to 3 metres
will save enough energy in one month to heat water for 10 showers. Similarly,
thin pipes are more energy efficient than thicker pipes; larger amounts of hot
water are trapped in thicker pipes, and more heat is lost.

To help reduce heat loss, always insulate hot water pipes, especially where
they run through unheated areas such as basements and crawl spaces.
Insulate the first three metres on cold water pipes and the first two metres on
hot water pipes running to and from tanks. This can save about 2 percent on
the heating bill and can reduce pipe-sweating problems in the summer. Do
not place any pipe-wrap insulation within 15 cm of exhaust vents at the top of
water heaters, and never insulate plastic pipes.

Many water-heating tank manufacturers pre-set the temperature of the tank

to 60C (140F). You can lower the thermostat to as low as 55C (130F) to
save energy. Do not set it any lower, as this would risk the growth of diseasecarrying bacteria such as legionella.

Turn down your water-heater thermostat to a minimum setting when you plan
to be away for extended periods of time.

Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way

to reduce demand for water. Using less water also puts less pressure on
sewage treatment facilities, and uses less energy for water heating.

Ten ways that will save the most water :

1.

Water the lawn only when it needs it. Step on the grass. If it springs back,
when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. So set your sprinklers for more
days in between watering. Saves 3000 - 5000 lts. per month. Better yet,
especially in times of drought, water with a hose.

2.

Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Saves 75 lts. per day for every leak
stopped.

3.

Don't run the hose while washing the cars. Use a bucket of water and a quick
hose rinse at the end. Saves 550 lts each time.

4.

Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Saves 1900 to 3000 lts
per month.

5.

Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Saves 1100 to
3000 lts per month.

6.

Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to
2500 lts per month.

7.

Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 550
lts or more each time.

8.

Don't use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Saves 1500 lts per month.

9.

Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes,
catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or the gardens.
Saves 750 to 1100 lts per month.

10.

Don't water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that
water lands on the lawn or garden where it belongs -- and only there. Saves
2000 lts per month.

Engineering Department
An analysis of such establishments show that approximately 50% of
the energy consumed in a property is in the equipment and machinery rooms,
air conditioning systems, water treatment pump areas and sewage plants.
Engineering Department is responsible for running and maintenance of these
equipments.
They are also concerned with entire building and complex.

Keeping the above in view, it is imperative that the Engineering

Department operates these equipments at peak efficiency. Engineering
Department can help conserve energy in the following ways:

1.

By acting as an advisor to various departments to help them achieve their

respective Energy Management goals.
By ensuring efficient and economic operation of all equipments.
They must maintain history card of each machine so that in-efficient and
uneconomical machines can be identified and eliminated to save the wasteful
uses of energy. This will also help in deciding the preventive maintenance
schedule of each machine.

2.
3.

HVAC Systems Plant Room

1.
2.
3.

Turn off HVAC machinery in all unoccupied spaces.

Eliminate or reduce duct air leakage.
While operating chillers ensure following :-

As far as possible keep leaving chilled water temperature on the higher side.
Reduce entering condenser water temperature
Maintain proper refrigerant charge.
Eliminate refrigerant and charge.
Maintain proper flow rate of condenser water
Operate chillers in proper sequence.
Operate condenser and cooler pumps in proper sequence.

4.
5.

Lower hot water temperature for heating when outside temperature rises.
When chiller is not operating, make certain that chilled and condenser water
pumps are shut down.
Use proper water treatment to prevent fouling or sealing of condensers,
cooling towers and piping.
Repair all hot, chilled and condenser water lines, valves and pumps. A
considerable quantity of water is lost through leaky pump glands which can
be saved easily.
Repair or replace damaged hot or chilled water line insulation.
Check cooling water tower bleed off periodically.
Check efficiency of chiller against manufacturers specifications by checking
water temperature and pressure drop in and out of chillers and condensers
and motor amperage on compressor.
Condenser tubes should be kept clean.
Stop all refrigerant leaks.
Check daily purge operation on chiller for signs of air leaks
Remove algae growth from cooling towers.
Check all belt drives. Replace worn out or frayed belts.
Clean AHU coils and fans periodically, check chilled water sample to know
the internal condition of coil. Do periodic cleaning of coil.
AHU filter must be cleaned periodically.
Check all thermostat for correct functioning.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

Heating

1.

Check and back wash water filtration plant for higher efficiency and reduction
in water system scaling.
Check water analysis periodically.
Repair at once all leaks, dripping faucets and shower heads.
Check toiler flush valves for any water leaks.
Lower hot water temperature to 1200 F.
6. Check and adjust swimming pool make up water (not to exceed 10%).
Shut down pool filtration plant when pool is not in use.
Reduce lawn and shrubbery watering to absolute minimum.
Check water regulating valves on water coolers, refrigerant units and ice
machines.

2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
8.
9.
9

Building and Grounds

1.

Seal all exterior windows, doors cracks and openings to reduce outdoor air
leaks.
Reduce gap under the doors of air conditioned spaces to minimum.
Check grounds for leaking pipes underground.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Check and repair all door closers.

Make certain all electric connections are tight.
Keep all contacts clean.
Check Lighting levels in all Engineering spaces to see if they can be reduced.
Replace all incandescent fixtures with fluorescent and energy efficient lamps
like PL-9 or SL-25 etc.

9.

Keep all light shades clean. Use shades that allow more light to pass or
reflect.
Do not switch on lights unless necessary.
Arrange schedules for turning or reducing lights in guest corridors, lobby
area, function spaces, restaurants, bars, shops, kitchens etc.
Make a house inspection of all departments to see that energy conservation
is being observed.

10.
11.
12.