REPLACEMENT OF MULTIZONE AIR HANDLERS Sansum Diabetes Research Institute Santa Barbara, CA
When the time came to replace the twenty-year old multizone HVAC units, there was both the need to keep the existing duct configuration and to have replacement units that are more efficient in the use of electricity and gas. Multizone units with a bypass deck were selected, which use a VSD to lower the supply air whenever the zone dampers modulate away from full cooling, or heating, to bypass. The new units are able to operate very efficiently by having each zone open to full bypass when its thermostat is satisfied. Temperatures in the hot deck are efficiently controlled from full heating to operation with only one zone heating by a modulating gas valve.
On the morning of the installation, the old multizone units were disconnected and craned from the roof to be trucked from the site. The new units were designed to site on the existing multizone factory curbs. These curbs were in good shape and required only minor preparation and new gaskets. Prior to the installation, the building ductwork had been cleaned. Now the new units were lifted to the roof and set on the curbs by the mechanical contractor.
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Electricity, gas, and controls were connected as soon as the new units were set on the curbs. The new multizone units have hot, cold and bypass decks which have added height over the profile of the older units, yet the unit weights remain the same. The new units include an economizer VAV exhaust fan that tracks the supply fan to maintain air balance even at minimum ventilation bypass airflow. The new units also had the DDC controls installed and tested at the factory. This meant that with the controls connected to the building energy management system, the controls contractor could begin startup right away. Within four hours of crane setup, the only personnel left on the site were the manufacturer's startup representative, the controls contractor, and the job superindentant.
Radiant Heating
RESIDENTIAL RADIANT FLOOR HEATING SYSTEM, SANTA BARBARA The design of a properly designed and quiet radiant floor heating system eliminates drafts and cold spots in high ceiling and windowed areas.
Radiant floors also have individual room and or area temperature controls where previously in this house one furnace served each entire floor.
Residential 5000 sf two-story radiant sytem
Renovation
BEC was recognized by the City of Glendale as a member of the architectural team for the Restoration and Renovation of the Glendale Main Post Office (at right). The 4.5 million dollar project included completely replacing the HVAC and plumbing for this National Historic Register building built in 1930.
Renovated Glendale Main Post Office
The Bakersfield Postal Distribution facility was completely renovated with new air handlers, ductwork, control system and central plant. The equipment replacements qualified for Pacific Gas and Electric energy efficiency retrofit incentives.
Bakersfield Post Office & Distribution Center
MILITARY (Marine Corps and Navy) BUILDINGS such as this one at Camp Pendleton are renovated to bring all utilities up to date and/or modify space use to new requirements.
Education
Six buildings were renovated in the Humanities and Social Sciences Project which involved BEC from the initial Code Compliance Study until the project was completed 8 years later. The buildings were North Hall, South Hall, Phelps Hall, Girvetz Hall and Ellison Hall.
Renovation in progress
A new school in Camarillo,CA
Every year BEC provides mechanical and plumbing design documents for school projects along the South Coast and in Southern California. Projects range from elementary school remodels for handicapped access to new high school buildings.
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
BEC also participates in the design and construction of many new buildings. Below is the conceptual drawing for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society by Palacios Architects. Shown is the Adoption Building.
