75F > Case Studies > IoT Solution Enhances Comfort and Energy Efficiency at Apple Valley Commons Office

IoT Solution Enhances Comfort and Energy Efficiency at Apple Valley Commons Office

Technology Category

Sensors - Environmental Sensors
Sensors - Utility Meters

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Cement

Applicable Functions

Facility Management
Maintenance

Use Cases

Building Automation & Control
Remote Control

Services

System Integration

The Customer

Apple Valley Commons

About The Customer

Apple Valley Commons is a mixed-use office complex built in 1986. The building, with 60,000 square feet and six floors, houses a variety of businesses, including dental clinics and law offices. The building was experiencing significant comfort and energy efficiency challenges, with extreme temperature imbalances causing discomfort to occupants and high electricity bills due to constant heat pump operation. The building's elevator room was also overheating, causing the elevator equipment to shut down. The building management was seeking a solution to these issues to improve occupant comfort, reduce operational costs, and increase building visibility.

The Challenge

Apple Valley Commons, a mixed-use office complex built in 1986, was facing significant comfort and energy efficiency challenges. The building, which houses a variety of businesses, was experiencing extreme temperature imbalances, causing discomfort to employees and clients. Despite outdoor temperatures being consistently high during summers, occupants had to use space heaters to keep warm. The electricity bills from the constant operation of the heat pump were exorbitant. The building's elevator room on the roof was also overheating, reaching temperatures of 130 to 140 degrees, causing the elevator equipment to shut down. The building's existing controls solution did not provide a front end for diagnostics or remote control. The building management was seeking a solution that could address these temperature issues, improve occupant comfort, reduce operational costs, and increase building visibility.

The Solution

75F, an IoT solution provider, began the installation by setting up heat pump control with 11 Central Control Units and 53 Smart Stats. The data was pulled into 75F Facilisight to better understand the system's operation. 75F also fabricated, programmed, and installed the 75F Grey Box, a central plant control panel with Tridium Niagara Framework. In the overheating elevator room, a HyperStat and a new actuator were installed to better control the exhaust fan, which had not been working for years. The room now operates at a consistent 75-degree setpoint. During the installation, 75F discovered numerous building system problems, including crossed ducts, dead wires, and heat pumps not hooked up with fire lines. All these issues were rectified, ensuring a clean, functional, and safe job site.

Operational Impact

The primary goal of the building management was to solve occupant comfort and building operational challenges due to temperature imbalance. With the implementation of 75F's solution, these issues were effectively addressed. The tenants of Apple Valley Commons no longer need space heaters to keep warm during the summer. The elevator room on the roof now operates at a consistent 75 degrees and no longer shuts down, resulting in significant maintenance cost savings. In addition to improved occupant comfort, the building management also gained remote insight and control capabilities. Operators can now easily check up on building, zone, and equipment data and make changes from wherever there’s Internet. The installation process also unearthed and solved serious building problems, enhancing the overall safety and functionality of the building.

Quantitative Benefit