Most Visited Articles on the Website during November

The most visited articles on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer website (www.csemag.com) during November 2010 included:

"How to Select a VFD"

These guidelines dispel the confusion about matching variable frequency drives (VFD) and motors to fans and pumps that are typically encountered in commercial building applications. While the motivation to increase energy efficiency could be financial (reduced energy costs) or ethical (reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with power production), it is taken for granted that VFDs are an easy way to improve energy efficiency in a motor application. And with these noble intentions in mind, the engineer will specify a VFD for his client. Oftentimes, that isn’t the end of the story for the engineer.

"The Economics of Improving Power Factor"

A better understanding of power factor, harmonics, electrical distribution systems, and the utility’s billing practices will help reduce electric bills.

"Choosing LEDs for Indoor Use"

Here are practical evaluation criteria for selecting LED lighting for indoor, ambient applications.

"Historic Gains in Energy Efficiency for New Homes and Commercial Buildings"

Building officials from across the nation voted to support historic gains in the energy efficiency of building energy codes at the Final Action Hearings for the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). As a result, the energy efficiency of America’s 2012 model energy code for new homes and commercial buildings will likely achieve the 30% boost sought by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Assn. of State Energy Officials, Congress, and the broad-based Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC).

"View from the Top"

The 2010 MEP Giants provide insight on the state of the engineering industry and what to look for in 2011.

"Data Center Offers Sustainable Power, Wins Award"

The Seattle area’s new, high-capacity next generation South Hill North Data Center in Puyallup, Wash., has received the Technology Development of the Year Award from NAIOP.

"MEP Giants 2010"

In 2010, engineering firms focus on energy-efficiency initiatives this year, while investing heavily in the continued development of their in-house engineers.

"Firestopping Exposed Wires and Cables"

An “almost perfect” firestopping system isn’t good enough when a fire starts in a building. There are several reasons for providing firestopping for wires and cables. It may be a requirement of the building code, or of an insurance carrier or a building owner that wants to minimize the risk associated with fire spreading from one part of the building to another.

"Video: ComEd Talks Retrocommissioning and Energy Efficient Buildings"

This video covers retrocommissioning best practices and the keys to an energy-efficient commercial building.

"Enabling Smart Service with Remote Data"

Suppose you are a generator service organization, maintaining customers’ equipment scattered across your state. Let’s further suppose you have extensive knowledge of the historical performance of every machine and know the battery voltage, fuel level, and controls condition of each generator, and that information is always current. Armed with that information, a well-trained technician could readily identify the machines that are at risk of operational failures, and prioritize the replacement of weak batteries or call in fuel where needed, to avoid the failure that is certain to happen without his proactive intervention.

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