Earth Hour 2014

On March 29th, over 162 countries and territories participated in Earth Hour, an annual international lights-out event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Earth Hour asks individuals, businesses and governments around the world to turn off their lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need for urgent climate change action.

In the U.S. and Canada, global landmarks participated including: the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Empire State Building in New York, and the CN Tower in Toronto.

For more information, please visit: EarthHour.org/United-States  

Spring Preventive Maintenance: Cleaning Condenser Coils

March 20th marked the official first day of Spring! After enduring a tough winter in numerous parts of North America, many of us welcome the change in seasons. However, warmer weather often correlates to higher utility costs to maintain a comfortable temperature in your building. 

There are solutions to bring down these costs and reduce your overall energy consumption. One important component of annual spring preventative maintenance is cleaning the condenser coils on your facility's HVAC units. During warmer months, the condenser coils move a significant amount of air. Over time dust and dirt accumulate on the coils and if the coil is dirty, the fan in the coil can't move as much air as required for good performance and efficiency. This leads to increased electricity costs and may shorten the life of the outdoor condensing unit. 

Cleaning the condenser coils will help the unit cool more efficiently and reduce power consumption while extending the life of the unit. It is important to clean the coils early in the year, before the AC unit is needed for the summer. Contact  Stroh Corporation for more information before the temperatures heat up.  

Five Hidden Sources of Energy Loss

Potential sources of energy loss are often hidden. Did you know leaks from ductwork and steam traps can waste energy? In addition, improperly tuned building controls can increase your heating and cooling costs.

Here are five sources of energy loss:

1. 1. Duct System: Leaky ducts can lead to higher heating and cooling costs. While some leaks are easy to locate, testing systems can help to identify the extent of system leakage by finding hidden leaks.
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3. 2. Building Controls: Controls are designed to save energy. However, it is important to inspect and adjust building controls regularly to account for changes in building occupancy, seasonal changes, and to ensure that sensors and controls are integrated properly. A well-tuned building control system can save up to 30 percent on heating and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.  
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5. 3. Steam Traps: Industrial plants and many commercial facilities use steam for process and space heating. In steam systems that are not maintained regularly, up to 30 percent of steam traps may have failed, wasting energy by allowing live steam to escape.
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7. 4. Transformers: Distribution transformers reduce high-voltage power line electricity to the lower voltages needed for the electrical equipment in your facility. Transformers lose energy by being energized 24 hours per day, 365 days per year to serve a varying load.
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9. 5. Personal appliances: Discourage the use of personal appliances such as space heaters by maintaining building temperatures at a comfortable range of 68°F to 78°F.
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Reduce your operating costs and improve overall efficiency by uncovering these energy losses. Read the entire article by visiting Duke Energy.