AT-90-11-4 -- Effective, Low-Cost HVAC Controls Upgrade in a Small Bank Building

Summarises the measured results from a field study of the performance of a low-cost controls retrofit in a small bank buildings in Knoxville, Tennessee. The retrofit comprised a simple upgrade of heating and cooling system controls and new operating strategies. The project was undertaken to better understand how commercial energy use measurement studies should be performed and to demonstrate the effectiveness of a low-cost controls retrofit in a small commercial building. Describes the improved control strategy devised and notes energy efficiency improvements of 33% in heating and 21% in cooling energy consumptions, with increased comfort. Payback was under one year.

KEYWORDS: Banks, buildings, commercial, modernising, energy conservation, controls, USA, case studies, payback period.