Additional Technologies

In addition to peripheral light efficiency technology, such as dimmer switches, motion sensors, campus controls, and EMS (Energy Management Systems), Energy Retrofitters, Inc. also uses additional energy conserving technologies unrelated to lighting and HVAC

. Radiant Barrier Sample Video

Radiant barrier insulation is a reflective insulation system that offers a permanent way to reduce energy costs. Radiant barrier insulation systems reflect radiant heat energy instead of trying to absorb it. A pure aluminum radiant barrier reflective insulation is unaffected by humidity and will continue to perform at a consistent level no matter how humid it may be. A radiant barrier insulation system is a layer of foil facing an airspace and is installed in the envelope of a building.

Most people are familiar with traditional insulating materials such as fiberglass, cellulose, Styrofoam, and rock wool. These products use their ability to absorb or resist (slow down) convective and conductive heat transfer to insulate (R-value). A third, seldom discussed but dominant form of heat transfer exists: radiant heat transfer. What are the differences among the three forms of heat transfer?

Conductive: Direct contact. If you touch a pot on the stove, this is conductive heat transfer.

Convective: Steam, moisture. If you put your hand above a boiling pot, you will feel heat in the form of steam. This is convective heat transfer.

Radiant: Electromagnetic. Step outside on a sunny day and feel the sun’s rays on your face. You are feeling radiant heat transfer. All objects above absolute zero (-459.7 degrees F.) emit infrared rays in a straight line in all directions.

A radiant barrier reflects radiant heat energy instead of trying to absorb it. What does this mean in your home or business? During the winter, 50-75% of heat loss through the ceiling/roofing system and 65-80% of heat loss through walls is radiant. In the summer, up to 93% of heat gain is radiant. If you are depending on R-value (resistance) alone to insulate against heat gain and loss, remember that thin layers of fiberglass are virtually transparent to radiant energy and are affected by changes in humidity (moisture levels). A 1-1/2% change in the moisture content of fiberglass insulation will result in a 36% decrease in performance (referenced from HVAC Manual 10.6; McGraw-Hill). A pure aluminum radiant barrier is unaffected by humidity and will continue to perform at a consistent level no matter how humid it may be.

Testing and Approvals

Building Officials and Code Administrators
International Conference of Building Officials
Southern Building Code Congress International
Metropolitan Dade County (FL) Building Code Compliance Dept.
United States Testing Company
Tennessee Valley Authority
Tennessee Technological University
State of California
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

· Window Film

Owning commercial property is a big investment. If properly preserved and managed, it should serve you well for years. You can take care of that investment by protecting the interior from sun damage. Manage it by taking the necessary steps to control energy costs while maximizing interior comfort levels. With window film applied, you can expect these and other benefits in your commercial location:

§ Minimize heating and cooling imbalances between sunny and shaded areas of a building

§ Reduce the peak energy demand in order to control energy expenses

§ Improve tenant comfort, reducing complaints

§ Establish uniformity of building's outward appearance

§ Reduce fading in window treatments, carpets and upholstery

· LED

Light Emitted Diode is an emerging technology with many exciting future applications. We primarily use LED for exit signs because of the low draw and long life. LED has yet to produce satisfactory and cost effective replacement lamps for incandescent applications, but we do believe the technology is improving.

· Solar

We are sold on Solar playing a major role in the future of energy, however, it has yet to become a cost effective solution for the majority of applications. We are encouraged that the US has taken steps with The Solar America Initiative to put investment dollars behind the development of the technology.

To fulfill solar energy's promise, the President's Advanced Energy Initiative and the 2007 Budget proposes a new $148 million Solar America Initiative (SAI) - an increase of $65 million over the FY06 budget. The SAI will accelerate the development of advanced PV materials with the goal of making it cost-competitive with other forms of renewable electricity by 2015.

We'll be keeping a close eye on this one, but it is not yet a truly cost effective option. Once your building is retrofitted with the most energy efficient technology available, solar may be a realistic option in a few years to power entire buildings.

More good news:

We look to roll out this technology to our current clients first in our ultimate goal of removing homes and businesses from the beloved power grid.

· Motor Control

Fascinating technology is coming in this department, but it yet to come with satisfactory warranties. As soon as it is available, we will make it available to our clients. We see the primary application in industrial and commercial businesses that have large amp drawing electrical equipment using electric motors. Electric motors often draw more than twice the electricity they need to operate, and can represent a significant portion of your electrical bill.

The extra electricity motors draw is dissipated in the form of heat, noise and vibration. The additional electricity causes premature failure of electric motor components and higher maintenance and/or replacement costs. Using motor controls is predicted to double the expected life of electric motors, reduce maintenance costs, and to substantially reduce electric draw by up to 75%! To learn more about this concept, here is a video clip.