Building audits and retrofits are a popular tool for upgrading the energy efficiency of a building. The principals of Ridesic Consultants have been active in this service area since 1993, and although we provide the following traditional services, we bring our special indoor air quality and ventilation design skills to the table as well:

    -Analysis of Utility Consumption and Demand:
    - Base year
    -Audit of Mechanical/Electrical Systems and Controls:
    -Deficiencies
    -Performance analysis
    -Compliance with codes
    -Building automation
    -Suggested measures
    -Lighting Study:
    -Performance, Fixture counts
    -Suggested measures
    -Building Master Renewal Plan:
    -Major mechanical replacement
    -Building envelope measures
    -Engineering Mechanical/Electrical/Controls/Lighting
    -Design as required to produce drawings and specification

Incorporating IAQ into Energy Retrofits:
Five years ago, energy retrofits were done with little if any consideration for indoor airquality. But it makes no sense to study, design, install, and commission energy efficiency measures in building envelope, controls, electrical systems, primary heating systems, cooling systems, and air distribution systems etc. without considering the current and desired performance of these systems. The primary purpose of these systems is to satisfy occupant comfort and safety.

Everyone promises improvement in indoor air quality, but what do the claims really mean? By implementing the Energy/Air Quality Pilot Project, we were probably the first to spend a significant amount of money on HVAC repairs, increasing air flows and outside air percentages. Taking IAQ seriously requires the following actions:

-Evaluate indoor air quality(before).

-Record known problems and complaints of occupants re IAQ and temperature.

-Assess compliance with ASHRAE 62-89 and addendum 62a-90"Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality".

-Evaluate condition of all HVAC equipment.

-Existing operating and environmental parameters must include "outdoor air quantity".

-Determine scope of repairs.

-Technical description of each proposed IAQ improvementmeasure.

-Redesign to reduce system effects.

-Baseline adjustments for current non-compliant outdoor airquantity.

-Indicate the impact of proposed energy measures on indoor air quality.

-Implement mechanical repairs, including thermostats,valves, ductwork, coils, motors, dampers, actuators, pulleys, fans, pumps, piping,boilers, and chillers.

-Conduct system balancing, recommissioning and evaluate indoor air quality (after).

-Provide project management and procurement for mechanical repairs.

-Conduct IAQ tracking as well as "energy and waterconsumption tracking".

-Provide liaison with Health & Safety personnel and government.

-Provide the project team with advice on the interaction between energy and air quality measures.

-Provide advice on any hardware/software changes that might improve the monitoring of energy/air quality.

-Select contractors working on systems that have an impacton IAQ according to their qualification and experience on IAQ-sensitive projects. Theyshould be selected and jointly supervised by a professional ventilation engineer and aregistered occupational hygienist.

-Monthly reporting includes the IAQ performance of the improved systems.

-Training requirements ensure the permanence of IAQ improvements.

-Awareness programs include the nature and benefits of IAQ improvements.

-Project meetings should be attended by client health &safety representatives when IAQ improvements are being discussed.

-Post construction tracking of IAQ improvements should be conducted and the results communicated to client health & safety representatives.

-Energy reduction measures may have either a positive or negative impact. Free cooling can save energy and increase outdoor air quantities at the same time. Fan scheduling may reduce outdoor air quantity if not done carefully.

-IAQ improvement measures will always have a positive impact on indoor air quality; their effect on energy use may be positive or negative. If current systems are not in compliance with ASHRAE, increased outdoor air quantity will increase energy consumption.

Ridesic Consultants first proposed the idea of joint energy/air quality retrofits in the School Environment Project discussion paper in 1993.The Energy/Air Quality Pilot Project at the Peel District Board of Education has since been completed in eight large high schools. This project was a success in every way the we had hoped, and we are now implementing the Board's Energy Management and IndoorEnvironment Program in 10 more secondary schools and the main administrative building.

If you are contemplating energy retrofits in any building where indoor air quality is a potential issue, please contact us.